Emley AFC 2 Garforth 2 (Emley won 4-3 on pens)

Manager Paul Marshall named an unchanged starting line-up to that which defeated Maltby in our last game back on the 4th.

Charlie Marshall and Nash Connolly almost combined to give us an early lead; Marshall's cross blocked at the edge of the six yard box with Connolly awaiting. With Garforth enjoying the early possession it was against the run of play that the hosts, on an impressive run of thirteen games unbeaten, did so themselves. Harry Flatters saved from Harrison Rowley after the latter made his way in from the right, but the rebound fell straight to ex-Town midfielder Paul Walker who fired into the net.

Charlie Barks almost made it two from a dubious-looking free-kick just outside the box, his kick going narrowly wide. Miners' heads hadn't dropped however and we went on to enjoy the better of the half's chances. Sam Barker's low shot was saved by Emley keeper James Randall after a bustling run in from the left, then Rinor Ejupi hit the side netting with a low effort when set up by Connolly.

Down the other end Alex Metcalfe shot straight at Flatters when played in on the edge of the box. Town's best chance of the half fell to Marshall who forced Randall into a good save, tipping his top-corner bound strike over the bar. A couple more chances followed which couldn't be finished off, allowing the well-organised Pewits to take their slender lead into the break. Barker saw a shot deflected wide at the near post after Jay Davis tricked his way into the box and saw an effort of his own denied, and then a Marshall free-kick in a promising position went just beyond the far post.

Connolly almost found the equaliser on 52 mins after brilliant work by Ejupi down the left to pick him out, stretching to meet his cross he hit wide, although in the event the offside flag was raised. The hosts almost doubled their lead moments later; Rowley hitting just wide after Adam Mirza skipped challenges down the left. It was 1-1 on 59 mins however when Barker robbed the ball off a defender just outside the box and finished well across Randall. There were hearts in Garforth mouths shortly after when Metcalfe's corner curled in across the goalmouth, but thankfully with nobody in claret to convert. Matt Antcliff replaced Connolly on 69 mins and the "Sheriff" made an immediate impact to turn the tables on the hosts. Combining well with Ejupi down the right on 71 mins he scored with a fine strike over the despairing dive of Randall and into the far top corner. There was good chance to make it 3-1 when Marshall was released by a long punt forward by Flatters, but the ball was perhaps an inch too far in front of him and Marshall could only shoot straight at Randall.

Emley had an impact sub of their own in top scorer Iyrwah Gooden, who headed over the last of a succession of corner kicks on 85 mins. The hosts then enjoyed a good spell with deliveries into the box from all directions making life difficult for the Garforth defence. Despite treatment for Jamie Barkway after coming off worse in an aerial challenge, there was surprise amongst away supporters when the board went up for eight minutes of injury time. The hosts took full advantage four minutes in; when a Ross Hardaker free-kick pumped into the box wasn't dealt with, Metcalfe was on hand to equalise from close range.

Antcliff did well to create a potential equaliser even deeper into injury time when jinking past two defenders in the box, but his shot was straight at Randall.

An entertaining game finished all-square, meaning a second cup tie in a row for The Miners would be decided by penalties. The hosts went first; Metcalfe's spot kick was straight at Flatters but Town couldn't make it pay with a similar result for sub Lee Turner. Nathan Curtis despatched for Emley and was followed likewise by Gooden and Town's Ejupi and sub Alex Zachariou to make it 2-2 with three each taken. Joe Clegg made it 3-2 with Dexter Ball levelling up to keep things tense going into the last two. Ex-Garforth midfielder Adam Porritt's was just beyond the reach of Flatters, leaving Barker to keep Town in it. Sadly for the hard-working midfielder Randall guessed the right way and kept his low effort out, sparking celebrations among the home faithful and progression into the next round.

A tough one to take for Garforth who competed well and came so close to a first ever victory at this venue. Only one cup competition in the form of the County Cup remaining for us this season, but in the meantime we face a difficult visit to Hallam in the league this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).