Ammers advanced into the first-round proper of the FA Vase with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle Benfield on Saturday at Bracken Edge.
Amari Smith’s double in the 2nd Round Qualifying, the latest monument of the midfielder’s journey from u16s into the first-team, sealed the victory after Birama Diallo’s opener.
Aiden Haley’s strike on the 84th-minute was purely a consolation goal with Jack Viles denying several late efforts to keep the difference at two.
Newcastle’s Benfield’s quality in possession was evident early-on and they controlled possession on the fringes of Ammers’ half for the opening 9 minutes, unable to task Jack Viles in goal even when finding penetrating forward passes.
The height of Elliot Jones, however, was unmatched from the visitors’ starting line-up, especially on the end of Jack Viles’ free-kick from just beyond his own box. The flick-on landed on Birama Diallo’s toes inside the right-hand channel of the box but once the ball’s eventually dropped, Benfield had bodies blocking his shot.
The aggression of Ammers pickpocketed possession from Benfield to earn them an early lead. Noel Nfonkev won the ball back 25-yards away from the visitors’ goal and is able to hold onto possession, perfecting the weight of pass into the run of Diallo down the left-hand channel of the box to be able to place a shot first-time, in-off the far post on 10 minutes.
Amers’ pressure increased Ammers’ hold of the game with a two-goal advantage three minutes later through Amari Smith. The aggressive press led to the ball rolling into Smith’s feet to search for the same side as Diallo, a slight deflection taking it beyond the visiting ‘keepers’ reach.
Hammad Ali continued the intensity, reaching the ball first from above his defensive line, able to step into midfield with space afforded to him before finding Morton inside the right of the box. The recipient is tracked to the byline and his marker makes contact with the delivery to remove any pace off it.
Benfield’s Joshua Perester could cut inside and aim a left-footed effort towards the top, left-hand corner but infront of it is Jake Boyd with a clearing header to keep the advantage at two into the break.
Glen Hargrave went close immediately after the restart, a glancing header not strong enough to divert inside the post following a corner.
Elliot Jones was then forced to concede another corner, this time from Benfield’s threat down the opposite, left flank, working play in-behind Kadeem Morton. Gikineh is across to close down the space and the delivery is dealt with by Jones, tracking back centrally to put over his own bar.
Morton recovered to offer the outlet for Ammers’ attack, isolated on the right. He teed up Romario Viera’ cross which lacked height and was cleared away by the first-man.
Quick feet by Diallo set up a first-time, powerful strike by Bruce Fernando from the edge of the box, blocked on the line and cleared.
With Benfield more and more desperate as time went on, Ali was equal to the direct ball which put him one-on-one with Noah Millington who took the ball well. The forward was continuously denied a shot at Viles’ until he was allowed, blocked and deflected over.
Smith stepped into the box to further seal the victory with his second of the evening on 69 minutes. A cross from the right was met by Smith from close-range to divert into goal.
Further ariel bombardment from the visitors led to Viera giving away a free-kick deep into his own half, colliding with the winger rather than the ball. The delivery was long but was retrieved by a yellow shirt, re-entering the box from the right onto the head of Scorge who had remained up since the set-piece.
Viles was then able to reach upto his top left-hand corner to stop a cross from the right squeezing in behind the group in the box.
There was a late resurgence from Benfield as they pulled one back with six minutes remaining. Looking to get the ball in the box as quickly as possible, Ammers were equal to it but the clearance was hit well, first-time by Aiden Haley from the edge of the box, past Viles’ right.
Hargrave saw another effort just wide, the gap still two entering added-time. Strong hold-up play from the converted forward Scorge worked the ball towards Hargrave who was aiming across goal.
It was a plan of game management from Ammers in the final minutes, Viera finding the space behind both of Benfield’s full-backs on two separate occasions, moving the hosts upfield.
Fre Tewolde’s in the way of Hargrave’s latest effort, forcing him into a tight-angle down the right of the box before being able to shoot.
The defensive efforts led to a more comfortable ending come the full-time whistle which sees Ammers advance into the first round proper of the FA Vase.
Bracken Edge will be lit up again on Tuesday evening with Dearne & District our visitors in the NCEL Division One.