Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying
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30/08/25 - Wombwell Town vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
The latest adventure of the Emirates FA Cup brought tough opposition to the Recreation Ground as Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stocksbridge Park Steels came to visit in the First Round Qualifying. Both sides met last season in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup where the Steels continued in the competition with a 4-1 victory on the night. Preparations took a knock in the warm-up as Danny Youel had to drop out, replaced by Charlie Rogerson who did well in midfield. From the kick off it looked as though it might be a long afternoon for the Wellers, who sit two steps below their visitors, as Owen Sykes had to make a goal line clearance in the opening minute. With the storm weathered it was Sykes who had the first opportunity to give the Wellers the lead. It came on eight minutes as a free kick on target was redirected by the chest of Ben Townsend in the Stocksbridge goal before being cleared to safety. The Wellers came on the attack once more on 21 minutes as the gulf in quality didn't look all that great. Jordan Kershaw received the ball on the edge of the penalty area after some good passing play and the striker battled past two men before his final effort was deflected over the crossbar. Stocksbridge started to show their qualities late in the first half and forced a good save down at the left hand post by Sebba Malkowski on 34 minutes before taking the lead on 43. Some lucky deflections and a good advantage played by referee Adam Kennard allowed Connor Smythe space and place his shot past Malkowski towards the right hand post. There were shouts for a red card as the first half went into added time as Elliot Owen redirected the ball away from Kershaw with his arm as the striker chased up-field, however only a yellow was shown with Tom Charlesworth close by deny the last man decision. Half Time: 0-1 The Steels came out in the second half determined not to allow their hosts back into the game and after forcing a corner from another Malkowski save Jaz Goundry rose the highest in the middle of the penalty area to head in to double the lead six minutes into the second half. With nothing to lose The Wellers turned up the tempo and did all they could to get back into the game, but it took until the 76th minutes before they could find the net. Sykes' long throw was seen as a weapon last season and fans were reminded of this quality once again as a launch from the left hand side found Ollie Fearon in the area. Fearon's jump won the ball in the air ahead of the defence and keeper Townsend and hit the roof of the net following desperate attempts on the line. There were a number of nearly moments to come as Fearon headed into the side netting from a corner after a break by substitute Eddie Agnew saw him unselfishly pass to Kershaw in a better position, only to see the effort blocked behind. Fearon and Agnew came close again as the game went into added time, but as the board showing four minutes was waved to the 437 people in attendance Stocksbridge grabbed a third, with substitute Jack Watson tapping home after a low cross from the right found its way through to the back post. Wombwell Town - 1 Ollie Fearon 76 Stocksbridge Park Steels - 3 Connor Smythe 43 Jaz Goundry 51 Jack Watson 90+1 Attendance: 437
Images from this season can be found on the GALLERY page.
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