Following the demise of the FA Amateur Cup in 1974 and its replacement by the Vase, Emley’s previous success meant they were placed in the much tougher competition – the FA Trophy, which included the best semi-professional sides in the country. In their first season Emley were disappointing, going out in a surprise defeat to Prestwich Heys.
In 1975 Emley tried again and in the preliminary round came up against Shildon from County Durham. Any game against a team from the north-east is a tough one and Emley have had many such matches over the years with mixed results. Emley had been in an indifferent run of form with striker Mick Pamment having to fill in at the back due to injuries. His goals had been missed, but he was able to return to the front line for this game.
This was the catalyst for a sparkling display of attacking football from Emley on a perfect pitch in ideal football conditions. S.B.Greaves was the architect of their success scoring one and laying the foundations for three more. In addition Stuart Greaves and Bob Sykes controlled the midfield with the help of the deep lying Pamment.
The first goal came on 19 minutes when Skirrow put a long ball down the middle for Brookes who pulled the defence out of position and allowed the ball to run for S.B.Greaves to score. Six minutes later S.B.Greaves was brought down in the area and Brookes fired home the penalty. The 28th minute brought an own goal, when a hard centre from S.B.Greaves was deflected into the net by a Shildon full-back. Emley were now comfortable and a minute later made it four when S.B.Greaves fed Brookes in the area for the striker to fire into the net.
Incredibly Emley had scored four goals in 11 minutes and were now coasting. However, it was Shildon who maintained a glimmer of hope when just before half-time, they showed they could play as well. A slick move saw full-back Callard cross for Bamford to fire home.
Emley continued to dominate in the second half, with Shildon forced to hit on the break when they could. But, Emley failed to live up to the promise of the first half and couldn’t find the net despite their fast open play. Shildon were reduced to 10 men when Walker was sent off for a foul near the touch line and the heat went out of the contest. Surprisingly it was Shildon who got the final goal, five minutes from time through Forster.
This was the start of a good run for Emley in that year’s competition, beating Ashley Institute from Scunthorpe and Nelson from Lancashire before going out to their nemesis, Bishop Auckland in the fourth qualifying round in Durham.
Team: Sharpe, Furey, Steele, Skirrow, Burke, Ingham, Sykes, S Greaves, Pamment, Brookes, SB Greaves. Sub Taylor.
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