Sykes pen secures points as Ingham sees red

A penalty from skipper Paul Sykes, in his 901st appearance, was enough to seal the victory.

The game started badly for the visitors when Josh Ingham was shown a straight red card by referee Nigel Haycock. Ingham deemed to have committed serious foul play. A decision that Emley found controversial to say the least.

Eccleshill dominated the opening exchanges, as you would expect from a team with the numerical advantage. However, they were unable to capitalise. No real chances were created, just ambitious efforts from range, which Adam Lawlor had no difficulty in dealing with.

Ashley Flynn had the best chance for Emley when he was put through by Steven Kenworthy, but unfortunately, Flynn scuffed his shot into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Perhaps the turning point came after half an hour, when Flynn rounded the goalkeeper, who subsequently brought the front man down. The referee pointed to the spot, and had no choice but to send the home stopper off. Sykes put away the penalty with consumate ease, sending substitute ‘keeper Ethan Cashan the wrong way in the process.

Now that the teams were even again, Emley started to pile the pressure on the hosts, with Flynn playing on the shoulder of the defence, causing them all kinds of problems. Jordan Townend and Michael Tunnicliffe were pulling the strings in midfield, keeping possession well, and dictating the tempo. Eccleshill were unable to cope with the onslaught.

Emley took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break. The only negative was that the lead wasn’t more substantial. Otherwise a very complete performance, to recover from the early setback.

The second half was relatively flat compared to the all action first period, with Emley delivering a defensive masterclass to keep the home side at bay. That man Sykes was instrumental in organising the back four, who played the offside trap perfectly.

Eccleshill pushed forward, making a couple of attacking substitutions, but couldn’t break the door down, and get something out of the game. Emley boss Darren Hepworth made changes of his own, replacing Flynn with Antony Brown who made some penatrative runs in the latter stages of the game. It was fellow substitute Alex Hallam who had the best chance, a one on one in the closing minutes. His effort was well saved by Cashen.

A job well done by Sykes and his team, as the referee blew the full time whistle.

Report: James Hall