Toolstation NCEL League Cup
AFC Emley 2-3 Knaresborough Town
Brad Walker celebrates scoring the winner for Knaresborough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Brad Walker hit two as the 2014 League Cup winners Knaresborough staged late heroics to beat ten-man AFC Emley at the Welfare Ground.
Walker intervened with two goals in the final ten minutes of a topsy-turfy cup tie that saw Emley striker Kieran Ryan given a straight red card midway through the first half.
Fraser Lancaster had fired Knaresborough ahead early on, but the ten men of Emley hit back through Ruben Jerome and a Will Lenehan own goal.
Despite both sides still having plenty to play for in the league, neither team held back, serving up a tasty first half in the process.
Knaresborough drew first blood as Emley fell asleep in defence, gifting Saturday’s four-goal hero Lancaster with a clean run on goal. Unsurprisingly the striker made no mistake.
The costly part of the night for Emley was the dismissal of Ryan, who gave referee David Evans a very easy decision after a crazy two-footed lunge. The striker will now miss three crucial matches as Emley try to snatch second place.
Emley were then incensed on the stroke of half-time as visiting captain Lenehan escaped with a caution after a meaty challenge. Only cleanly winning the ball saved him from an early bath.
Knaresborough lost Ben Joyce to a head injury early on. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Ruben Jerome equalised for Emley at the start of the second half. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
The red mist: Kieran Ryan, right and pictured on Saturday, was sent off after 22 minutes
The ten men of Emley forced their way back into it straight after the interval, Jerome expertly turned his marker and sent a fine low finish past goalkeeper Jack Rushworth.
Jerome was involved again for the second goal as his magnificent cross was turned into his own net by Lenehan, who must have seen danger man Ash Flynn lurking behind.
Those who thought that was it were mistaken. Walker capitalised on Emley failing to clear their lines for the equaliser. The young forward got the large away support jumping up and down when he struck the winner with a low long range strike.
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth:
Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield :
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Cooper (Spicer 54), Corduri, Graham (Tunnacliffe 49), S Jerome, Slack, Townend, R Jerome, Flynn, Ryan, Noteman (Hallam 86). Subs unused: Brook, Moorhouse.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Atkinson (Riley 93), Lenehan (captain), Cook, Wilson, Parkes, Ibrahimi, Walker, Lancaster, Joyce (Pascal 22). Sub unused: Stansfield.
Referee: David Evans
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 129
Man of the match: Fatlum Ibrahimi (Knaresborough Town)
As a neutral, David Evans should have sent off the Knaresborough captain for the challenge you describe. No question.
Emley were much the better team even with 10 men. Just ran out of steam at the end.