AFC Emley 1-1 AFC Mansfield

AFC Emley lost their place at the top of the NCEL Division One after being held 1-1 at home to AFC Mansfield.
The first half was saw the Emley create the most telling of the chances. Although it was the visitors got the first set piece of the game early on, however, Adam Lawlor comfortably claimed, preventing any chance on goal.
At the other end there was a different story. Max Leonard received the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, cut in onto his right foot, before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
On the opposite flank, Ruben Jerome almost found the same result. The winger managed to get into the box before seeing his cross deflected and into the hands of Jason White.
Leonard came close once again, this time some neat football from the Emley midfield saw Steven Kenworthy tee up Leonard for a volley, which stung the palms of White as he parried the effort away.
Jerome then found himself dribbling into the Mansfield box, this time managing to fire a shot on goal, however, his effort went over the bar.
Just before the half time interval, Jordan Townend also tried his luck from long range, however, his effort went over the bar.
The second half was a reversal of the first half, with Mansfield creating the better of the chances.
First, Glyn Cotton saw a long range effort held comfortably by Lawlor, whilst at the other end Jerome once again found himself beyond the Mansfield defence, but his struck his effort wide of the back post.
Lawlor was then called into action once again. After missing the initial cross, he managed to redeem himself by denying Mark Ward from close range, as he blocked the effort with his body.
However, there was nothing he could do moments later as Craig Mitchell stole the ball from Sam Jerome, getting one on one with Lawlor, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Mansfield then came close once again not long after, Lawlor spilling a free kick that was pumped into the box, but before any Mansfield player could tap home, the Emley defence was able to get the ball clear.
Lawlor was soon back in action, this time saving well from Cotton, after the Mansfield player had managed to turn on the edge of the area and get his shot away.
A long Mansfield throw then managed to find its way to the feet of Joe Naylor, but he prodded his shot wide of the Emley goal.
In Mansfield’s last foray forward, Declan Brewin found himself free at the back post, however, he put his header wide of the goal.