AFC Emley 1-0 Shirebrook Town

AFC Emley maintained their unbeaten home record and remain top of the NCEL Division One, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Shirebrook Town.
The solitary goal came from a curling free kick from the boot of Michael Starkey, beating the wall and Joe McCormack in the Shirebrook goal.
Although it could have been a different story as the visitors had numerous free kicks and chances but failed to make the most of their opportunities.
The opening stages of the game were tightly contested, both defences gaining the upper hand over the opposing attackers. However, Emley did create the first real chance, Jordan Townend linked up well with new signing Kurtis Noble down the left flank, the latter managing to whip a dangerous ball into the box but the Shirebrook defence was able to clear before Ashley Flynn could get a shot away.
At the other end, Aaron Moxam managed to get behind the Emley defence and get a ball into the box, however Paul Sykes managed to head the ball to safety with Jamie York lurking to punish any mistakes.
Midway through the first half, Flynn turned away from his marker and ran onto goal, upon reaching the edge of the penalty area he was clinically brought down by the recovering defender. From the resulting free kick, Starkey gave the hosts the lead, his free kick leaving the goalkeeper grasping at air as it flew into the top corner.
Before the stroke of half time, the visitors had a decent chance to equalise, however, some brave defending from Starkey denied York from getting his shot on target. The away side also saw Adam Lawlor tip a Kieron Watson free kick over the bar.
The second half was much the same with the visitors constantly pressing for the equaliser but finding no way through the Emley defence.
The visitors had a string of free kicks in a dangerous area, however, Watson failed to get any of them on target, finding a well built claret wall in the way of his efforts. Emley did have chances of their own, Flynn finding the run of Alex Hallam, however his shot only found the side netting, whilst Doran Jordan beat two men down the right wing and sent in a teasing cross which ran across the face of goal and out to safety.
The best chance of the second half fell to the visitors in latter stages of the game, Jamie York ran onto a Watson pass and managed to round Lawlor in the Emley goal. With the keeper beaten, York stroked the ball at goal, but Danny Claridge managed to slide and clear the ball just in time, colliding with the upright in the process.
Despite some heavy pressure in the final moments of the match, the visitors couldn’t muster a chance on goal, leaving a resolute Emley side to pick up the points.