HUDDERSFIELD Town fielded trialists Kris Thackray and Nathan Thomas, but AFC Emley enjoyed a bumper payday and 2-1 victory at the Welfare Ground last night.
Darren Hepworth’s Northern Counties East League Division I side bagged first-half goals from Scott Holt and John Cyrus as they lifted the Adrian Wright Memorial Trophy in front of a 1,500-strong crowd.
Watched by manager Lee Clark, a very youthful Town XI included former Newcastle United junior defender Thackray and ex-Sheffield United striker Thomas, but the duo went off injured before half-time.
Substitute Warrick Charlton scored Town’s consolation in the fourth minute of stoppage time..
Both of Emley’s strikes were well-created and excellently finished.
The first on six minutes came from a right-wing cross by ex-Town junior Curtis Roberts and was splendidly swept home at the back post by the late arriving Holt, who went off injured shortly afterwards.
Cyrus put them two-up after 37 minutes, powering a cracking header past Lloyd Allinson from a pin-point cross by Marc Townsend.
Town’s best efforts came from Robbie Simpson with a shot and header, while Chris Atkinson caught the eye with his passing.
AFC Emley: Clark, Leech, Tayo, Cyrus, Colley, Hazelden, Roberts, Townsend, Kenworthy, Amos, Holt.
Town: Allinson, Johnson (I), Dickinson, Clarke (N), Thackray (Field, 33), Sinnott, Chippendale (Charlton, 79), Crooks, Atkinson, Simpson, Thomas (Leonard, HT). Subs: Porter, Wilczynski, Melling, Watson.
