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Sheffield Senior Cup exit at Emley
IN FOOTBALL, results are all about context.
Sheffield Senior Cup
AFC Emley 2
Worksop Town 1
A hammering of Durham City is put into context when you look at the UniBond Premier table.
Similarly, a defeat to AFC Emley in the Sheffield Cup is put into context when you look at Worksop's off-field struggles this season.
A day out at Hillsborough would have been nice, but let's be honest – there are more important things to worry about.
That's not to take any credit away from Wednesday's hosts however.
The Northern Counties East Division One side were well worth their win, over a side three leagues above.
They got the ball down, passed it around well and defended well to keep Tigers at bay in the final stages.
On a bitterly cold night at the Welfare Ground, Tigers brought Kris Bowler and Adam Green back after suspension, rested Kevin Davies and dropped Gary Townsend to the bench for a well earned rest.
Neither side settled quickly, although Tigers had the first shot on goal, Danny Bacon sending the ball high and wide after good work by Andy White.
Emley's first attempt on goal also flew over the bar, the impressive Steven Kenworthy won a corner, it came out to Josh Wright and his shot was always rising.
White got clear down the right from Ryan Hindley's clever ball but his cross was too close to the keeper.
Emley began to shade the possession and took control of the first half.
Kenworthy fired in a cross-cum-shot and Jon Kennedy had to get down quickly to gather.
Some rare passing interplay brought Tigers back into it, Hindley, Bacon, Danny Anson and White showing some nice touches.
Bacon played a lovely ball through to Chris Adam on 21 minutes, but he couldn't get a touch before home keeper Mick Clark collected.
Bacon then broke down the left and Tigers had a two-on-one.
The ball was squared perfectly for White who hestitated, took a touch and then fluffed his shot and Clark saved easily.
If the striker was in form he would undoubtedly have buried the chance first time, but confidence is low for the big targetman, and the opportunity was lost.
To compound matters for Tigers, Bowler launched himself into a rash tackle, received a booking and gave away a free-kick that led to the game's first goal.
A high ball towards the box was dropped by Kennedy under pressure from one of his own players, and Kenworthy gleefully drove the ball into the empty net.
Adam sent Bacon into space again as Tigers tried to respond, but his cross was too high for White.
Another defensive error almost allowed the hosts to go 2-0 up, Mick Amos crossed dangerously and Green deflected it towards his own goal, only a full-stretch Kennedy saving his blushes.
From the resulting corner, Craig Marsh headed against the Worksop post.
Emley keeper Clarke drove a clearance against Bacon, but the striker couldn't get to the ball before the stopper dropped on it.
With six minutes left in the half, dangerman Kenworthy slipped the perfect pass through to Amos and he made no mistake, slotting past Kennedy with aplomb for a 2-0 lead.
Worksop boss Peter Rinkcavage had seen enough and replaced the ineffective Adam with Matt Glass on 40 minutes.
White won a free-kick just to the right of centre, 25 yards out but Hindley put it over the bar.
Lowe made a rare sortie into the opposition half with a maurading run, slipping the ball to Hindley but a defender got in the way.
Then a deep Hindley cross from the left touchline came back off the bar with Clark deceived.
White’s frustration came out in a poor tackle and he was shown yellow.
At half-time Tigers withdrew the striker and brought on Townsend.
A scrappy start to the second half was only brightened by a dummy from Bacon that almost sent Glass clean through.
Townsend curled a trademark effort towards goal, but it was headed clear.
On 67 minutes it was 2-1, Townsend flicking the ball over the top and Glass stealing in, staying strong under a challenge and slipping the ball past Clark.
Emley defender Josh Ingham was cautioned for a tackle on Townsend on 72, and a minute later the hosts brought on Gavin Armitage for Mark Brady.
Bacon almost got behind the Emley defence from Green’s header, but Clark was out quickly and gathered.
Glass went down appealing for a penalty after a driving run into the box, but referee Alan Hull signalled a goal-kick instead.
Townsend sent a low effort at goal from outside the box but Clark got his body behind it.
The home side should have made the game safe with 11 left on the clock, Mark Townsend heading wide when completely free at the back post.
Max Joice and Alex Thomas came on for Ingham and Kenworthy as Emley tried to hold out to progress in the cup.
Mark Townsend got past Lowe, got to the by-line and blasted a pass across the box, but no one was able to get a touch.
Worksop came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Bowler hooked the ball into the area and Anson headed at goal, but Clark hurled himself through the air to tip the ball away.
Green was booked for having his foot up before Hindley limped off, Galloway taking his place.
In time added on it was Emley who came closest to scoring, Thomas crossing for Amos, but he failed to add to his tally and missed the ball completely with Kennedy beaten.
The full-time whistle was greeted with jubliant cheers from the home side and on this showing, they’ve every chance of a big day out at the Owls’ ground.
Worksop return to league action on Saturday and the bigger picture of the 2009/10 season.
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Weather for Worksop
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North
