Rossington Main 1 v 2 Emley AFC

Rosso narrowly defeated in the semi-final of the Northern Counties East League JCP Construction Cup by the NCEL Premier champions Emley in a three-goal thriller under the lights at Oxford Street.

The deadlock was broken in the opening minutes when a low-driven free-kick by Emley’s Joe Clegg was turned in at the near corner in a busy Rossington box.

Rossington levelled the scoreline ten minutes later when Lewis Archer converted from the spot after the hosts was awarded a penalty a moment before.

James Waslshaw restored Emely’s advantage 21 minutes into the second half and despite Rosso coming close on numerous occasions, especially when Manasse Kianga rattled the corssbar, it was the Pewits who would go through to the final.

The first and foremost action came of semi-final with the Pewits opening the scoring after just four minutes as Clegg’s free-kick found it’s way in at the near post.

Archer then put Rosso back on level terms ten minutes later on the 14 minute when the number 19 sent Emley’s shot-stopper Declan Lambton the wrong way from the spot.

Two minutes after the equaliser, Rosso had a near scare as Ruben Jerome found himself in on goal and of which looked to have been the game’s third goal, his effort narrowly trickled into the far post and Cameron Hough then swiftly cleared the danger to keep the scoreline at one apiece.

Straight up the other end and prior to Cody Prior’s yellow card, Rossington was awarded an in-direct free-kick inside Emley’s penalty area after a suspected pass back. With all of the Pewits’ players on the line guarding their goal, all Rosso could do was tee up the shot of which, was blocked by the Emley wall of players to keep the game level once again.

Shortly into the second half and after the official attendance was announced as 283, Rossington came very close to taking the advantage on a couple of occasions after some brilliant dribbling from Kianga and some good linking up between Eames and Allen over on the far side however, the Pewits defended their lines well.

Despite Rossington coming the closest to finding the game’s third-goal, it was the visitors who restored their advantage when Walshaw found the back of the net in front of the cheering Emley fans behind the goal on the 66 minute.

Kianga as he had done all game provided another couple of dangerous dribble towards the Emley box of which on the first attempt he rattled the bar with a strong effort from outside of the area before being denied one-on-one by Lambton with just 15 minutes left to go on the clock.

As the final seconds of the game dribbled out with multiple stoppages and substitutes, the referee called time on proceedings with the Pewits on the favourable end of a 1-2 scoreline and to advance into the final at Scunthorpe United’s Attis Arena. Despite the defeat, it was another credible performance and cup run for Ben Hunter’s side in what was Rosso’s furthest appearance in the NCEL Cup this season.

ROSSO XI: Pollard (GK), Sheppeard, Allen (90’ Nelthorpe), Harrison (C), Hough, Whitehead, Eames, Kianga, Prior, Hunter (83’ King), Archer (85’ Green).

Unused Substitutes: Thomas.