FOOTBALL: Disappointment of departing manager as Maltby Main suffer back-to-back Sheffield Senior Cup final defeats

Action from Saturday's final. Pictures by CHRIS WHARTON

MALTBY Main were left to reflect on what might have been as they fell short in the Sheffield Senior Cup final for the second year running.

Two goals in three first-half minutes sentenced them to a 2-0 defeat to Emley AFC at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster.

Miners lost to Worksop Town at the same venue in the decider a year ago.

They had been bidding to lift the trophy for the first time in 45 years and did their best to give a winning send-off to manager Andy Dawson, who is moving on after nearly a year in charge.

"It was a cup final. One game to go. We asked the lads to give it everything," said Dawson, who was re-united on the touchline with his former co-manager, Lee Whitehead.

"Emley scored two quick goals and our striker, Sam Ackroyd, came off injured.

"We had no recognised striker on the bench due to people being cup tied and on holiday because the match came so late.

"We had a formation change and then again at half time. We came out and had two really good chances in the first five to ten minutes of the second half. I think if we had taken one of them then it could have been a different story."

The contest, watched by 640 spectators, took place a full six weeks after Main's last game in the Northern Counties East League and nearly a month's since Emley's last competitive fixture.

That presented a problem for both teams in keeping players fit for the final, with friendlies hard to come by.

"The final should have taken place sooner after the season," added Andy, who said his views were shared by the Emley manager.

"It's not the reason we lost but the match would have been a bit quicker and a better spectacle if people were match fit."

Maltby's next manager will be announced in due course while Dawson awaits his next opportunity in tandem with his long-standing colleague Lee Whitehead.