AFC Emley aim to ease the frustration of their FA Cup exit at the hands of Ossett Town when they head to Northern Counties East League First Division neighbours Hemsworth Miners Welfare tonight (7.45).
The Huddersfield side go into the game in fifth place, with two points in hand on leaders Eccleshill United, who have played two more matches, one of them Saturday’s 4-1 win at Dinnington Town.
Emley slumped 3-0 at Evo-Stik (Northern Premier) League First Division North side Ossett.
But the preliminary round tie was far tighter than the scoreline suggests.
Darren Hepworth’s side bossed the opening stages, with Mark Crossfield, Brighton Mugadza and Liam Schofield all having chances.
Emley had keeper Chris Senior on debut, and he made a smart save midway through the first half.
The best chance before the break fell to Mugazda, whose direct running caused the home side problems throughout.
On 32 minutes, he beat defender Nick Wood but shot into the side-netting from the right-hand side of the six-yard box.
Ossett were sent back out of the dressing room early, and they certainly started the second half better than the first.
They were rewarded after 53 minutes. Striker Jimmy Eyles’ initial effort was blocked by Senior, but the home man followed up to sidefoot home the rebound.
Emley continued to fight hard but didn’t manage to create a clear-cut chance in open play, and Senior was harshly booked for what looked like a good goal-saving challenge outside the area.
Ossett doubled their lead on 85 minutes, when Luke Sharry tapped home from close range.
Then Paul Sykes cleared an Eyles effort off the line, but Senior was adjudged to have caught the striker late, and was shown a second yellow, and therefore red card.
Experienced skipper Sykes, whose many former clubs include Ossett Town, donned the gloves but couldn’t prevent Eyles netting from the spot.
Ossett will host NPL rivals Bamber Bridge in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 14.
“That scoreline was hard on us,” said Emley boss Hepworth.
“We were outstanding in the first half and were well in it until last five minutes.
“We’re certainly looking forward to putting things right when we go to Hemsworth.”
AFC Emley’s NCEL Cup second-round tie at home to Teversal or Dinnington will take place on Tuesday, October 1.
Emley’s development side will be at home to Millmoor Juniors in the first round of the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Challenge Cup on Saturday, October 12. Other ties include Hepworth United v Rotherham Town, Shepley v Silkstone United and Denaby Main v Kirkburton.
