Association Cup - Quarter Final

11/12/21 - AFC Dronfield vs Wombwell Town

It was quarter final heart-break for Wombwell Town who will feel massively aggrieved at the way they were knocked out of the cup.

The drama started early as a penalty was bizarrely award after just two minutes when a AFC Dronfield player was judged to been brought down by Jonathan Davis, who had just diverted the ball onto the post from a through ball.

Penalty converted, the home side doubled their lead after ten minutes when a shot from the right hand side of the penalty area hit the crossbar and cruelly bounced in off Jordan Cooper's body.

A handball in the box at the other end following a Will Harling free-kick gave the Wellers the chance to get back into the game just three minutes later and Matthew Thornton converted. Tempers flared as the striker tried to retrieve the ball and found himself shoved into the net and side wall of the 3G cage.

The Wellers kept fighting against the unseen physicality of the home side and efforts from Gareth McDermott and Jay Hall saw them come close to grabbing a deserved equaliser before half time.

Ironically, the first cautions of the game were given to the ever-growing frustration of the Wombwell Town team before AFC Dronfield extended their lead.

The best move of the game started with a miss-kick from the goal keeper which found the left back. A long ball forward caught the Wellers defence flat-footed and the forward shot across goal into the far corner on 65 minutes.

On 77 minutes frustration finally got the better of Harling who, after being fouled for an eighth time, stood up to the offender, only to be booked himself by the referee.

A minute into added time Jay Hall scored his first goal for the senior team when he found himself open at the far post following a McDermott cross from the left. Once again the AFC Dronfield players refused to let the Wellers retrieve the ball and after yet another scuffle McDermott got the only caution in the incident.

Sadly there wasn't enough time remaining for an equaliser to take the game to extra time, and we wish AFC Dronfield the best of luck in the semi-finals.

Full Time:
AFC Dronfield 3
Wombwell Town 2

Wellers' Man of the Match: Will Harling

 Wombwell Town Line-up:
1. Jono Davis
2. Gareth McDermott
3. Bailey Wilson
4. Will Harling
5. Joe Egan
6. Jordan Cooper
7. Luke Exley (captain)
8. Brad Cresswell
9. Matthew Thornton
10. Gareth McDermott
11. Jay Hall
Substitutes:
12. Connor Housley
14. Joe Wilson (on for Thornton, 50)
15. Karl Rose

Will Harling - plays the ball forward with debutante Bailey Wilson watching on.

Brad Cresswell - Wins the header.

Captain Luke Exley puts a free-kick into the box. Photo: Emily Bell

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