The Emley team that had beaten Northern League Evenwood Town was made of largely of local men, several of whom were from the village itself. This team had dominated the Huddersfield League in the mid-sixties, wining a hat-trick of titles, which would be extended to four in 1969. These team would form the basis of an Emley team that would take the club into senior non-league football over the coming years.
Emley’s next opponents were Dulwich Hamlet, four times winners of the Amateur Cup, although they were all prior to World War Two. They competed in the Isthmian League, the primary non-league competition for clubs in and around London. Though they were struggling at the time – they would finish 18th in 68-69 – the league was well above the standard Emley played at.
A big crowd was expected. Huddersfield Town offered the use of Leeds Road for the game, but Emley declined hoping to get an advantage from playing at the Welfare Ground in front of a packed crowd. The club acquired railway sleepers from Crigglestone Colliery and bought forty tons of shale to create a new banking on the top side of the pitch. The ‘Shed’ at the top end was extended by one of the players, Melvyn Matley, a joiner, so that it could accommodate 1000 spectators. It is still there today. Dulwich’s ground could hold 30,000!
On the day 4460 turned up. Half an hour before kick-off the crowd were 3 deep round the perimeter and traffic queues stretched for half a mile. Kettlewell was back, giving Emley a massive boost and the early exchanges were end-to-end, but soon Dulwich started to take control. Hay missed one chance then had the ball in the net via a deflection off Wood, but the referee gave offside. Soon after Pamment put the ball in the net, but as in the Evenwood match, it was with his hand. Dulwich were showing their class but Emley defended stoutly, and Emley were getting their measure.
After 30 minutes came the decisive moment, Morley put a free-kick into the box and Pamment rose to head home sending the crowd wild. Emley almost made it two after a goal mouth scramble soon afterwards. Dulwich pressed for an equaliser and Casson saved well from Wyatt.
At half-time the score-line probably flattered Emley and Dulwich showed their quality as the second half progressed. They hit the post and Casson kept them at bay. Emley had their chances too, and Dulwich began to get frustrated and their play became ragged. As the game drew to a close it was Emley who looked more likely to extend their lead, but in the end one was enough.
Team: Casson; D Hall, Ellam; Wood, J Hall (c), Matley; Wilson, Whiteley, Pamment, Kettlewell, Morley. Sub: Barnard.
Headlines and photographs courtesy of Huddersfield Examiner and the Huddersfield and District Chronicle
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