Sunday, 26 May 2013

Millmoor Juniors 3-2 AFC Emley Reserves

Millmoor Juniors made up for their County Senior League Cup defeat at Ecclesfield Red Rose last weekend by reaching the quarter-finals of the Rosehill Press Association Challenge Cup, and ended AFC Emley’s run in the competition.

The game got off to a flying start when careless Millmoor defending presented Matthew Semley with a chance after just seven seconds; however his one-on-one was denied by goalkeeper Ben Brunt.

It took just seven minutes for the game’s opening goal, scored by Millmoor Juniors. Liam Royles crossed for Martin Jones, who got a lucky bounce off the defender, and sent the ball low into the bottom right corner after tricking Paul Day into diving the wrong way.

It didn’t take long for Emley to grab an equaliser. Juniors failed to clear the ball, with Semley making up for his earlier miss by collecting the loose ball and rounding the goalkeeper before finding the net after 16 minutes.

The majority of good chances during the match seemed to end up in the back of the net, and this continued to be the case when Liam Royles played a delightful through-ball for Robert Hayes who controlled the ball, rounded the goalkeeper and netted from a tight angle, sending Juniors 2-1 ahead.

Martin Jones potentially could have extended Juniors’ lead when he lifted the ball over Danny Riley and sprinted past the defender to continue his run. But when bearing down on Day, the striker opted to pass and Chris Sansom beat the onrushing attacker to clear the ball behind for a corner.

At the other end Emley’s Matthew Sykes blasted a long-range effort over the crossbar as the half looked to end with Juniors in front. This proved not to be the case. Semley found space on the left and played in a low cross which was controlled by Jonny Irving’s feet and blasted promptly into the top corner from very close range.

Spectators might have thought that the late first-half equaliser might have revitalised Emley, but this proved untrue. Hayes sent an effort into the goalkeeper’s gloves as second-half chances became even scarcer than they had been prior to the interval.

Eyebrows might have been raised after Martin Barnfield’s decision to substitute goalscorer Robert Hayes with twenty minutes remaining; however his decision to replace him with Kane Tomlinson looked to be justified with a goal shortly after. As extra-time loomed Lee Williams whipped in a free-kick, which was met by Dean Smith who looped his header into the far corner to send Juniors 3-2 up.

Emley battled for an equaliser, but it never came. Joe Muxworthy headed over from a Curtis Roberts corner which was the nearest chance in the closing stages. Whilst Dean Smith sent an effort wide at the opposite end of the pitch as they grabbed the narrowest of victories.

The 3rd round had been the furthest Millmoor Juniors had reached in the competition, and they will believe they have the ability to progress even further.

Millmoor Juniors Team: Ben Brunt, Lee Williams, Glyn Nicolson, Liam Royles, Jordan Lowe, Richard Pierpoint, Craig Cooke, Dean Smith, Martin Jones, Robert Hayes, Lee Jordan. Substitutes: Kane Tomlinson, Danny Ramsden, Michael Clarke, Andy Haythorne.

AFC Emley Reserves Team: Paul Day, Chris Sansom, Gareth Moxan, Mathew Sykes, Michael O’Brien, Danny Riley, Curtis Roberts, Jack Storrie, Jack Portman, Jonny Irving, Matthew Semley. Substitutes: Max Joice, Joe Muxworthy, Joe Howson.

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