Report: Maltby Main (A)

Emley returned from South Yorkshire with a well deserved point in their opening NCEL Premier fixture after a 0-0 draw with Maltby Main.

Despite Emley dominating large parts of the game, they had to earn their point with 10 men for most of it after a red card for Iyrwah Gooden before half time.

Playing into a strong breeze, the hosts had the better of the opening exchanges, Dec Lambton was the busiest of the goalkeepers in this spell and was on hand to tip a shot over and was then relieved to see a shot go just wide, and again 10 minutes later when a long distance chip dropped over his bar.

But Emley, with 4 new signings in the starting XI started to get on top and would soon be testing Main’s keeper Levi Owen, who was more than up to the task.

The stopper was on hand to parry a fierce shot from the returning Ruben Jerome away in what was Emley’s first real chance 20 minutes in, but they soon found their feet and were threatening in the final third.

A succession of corners ended with Pashley heading just over after Maltby struggled to contain the Emley attack.

Steve Smith saw a dipping long range go narrowly over before the keeper was on hand to save his team again, a good ball into feet by Hardaker and shot by one of the new boys, Will Norcross was saved well by Owen.

Haigh himself was the next one to try his luck after a good move on the left, but his shot was wide.

Lambton had been a spectator for a few minutes, but he had to be alert on the half hour as the hosts rallied, but the shot was wide without troubling the Emley keeper.

Emley were straight back onto the attack, Gooden on the left and Walker on the right were the outlets and both caused problems, after a free kick was awarded, it was Walker who curled a shot just wide of the upright.

Ruben Jerome had another chance with a shot from the left but again, the keeper was equal to it.

But then Emley were reduced to 10 men, Iyrwah Gooden with a challenge which was deemed high and late and was shown a straight red.

H/T- Maltby 0-0 Emley

If Emley were to get anything they would have to do it the hard way at a ground where they haven’t won competitively, and with 10 men.
But the Pewits were on the front foot from the start of the half and but for better composure and finishing could have taken 3 points.

Owen was Maltby’s saviour again, coming off his line to thwart attacks, and catching anything that was in his area, Emley had a few corners and free kicks but they didn’t amount to much and the keeper saved well from a Hardaker free kick that was whipped into the danger zone.

Maltby weren’t out of it though and were starting to find space and gaps in Emley’s depleted ranks, they were dealt with admirably by the centre back pairing of Sam Pashley and Jack Cowgill who had to be quick to clear a goalbound shot, there was also a couple of dangerous looking cross-shots from Maltby that flashed wide to Emley’s relief.

Changes were made to freshen up, Lawrence and Clegg replaced Walker and Norcross, and both looked to put themselves about, Lawrence caused a few problems up top, and Clegg was industrious as always just behind the strikers.

Emley then had a great chance to snatch a goal, a powerful surge from Jerome saw him round the keeper but his shot was deflected for a corner from a last gap Maltby challenge.

Maltby probably had the better of the remaining 5 minutes or so and put Emley under real pressure, but The Pewits stood firm.

There was one last chance to nick it when Emley were awarded a free kick just outside the area, Clegg stepped up and his goalbound shot was saved by that man Owen again as a point was probably a fair result in the end of the first game of what will be another long season.

We now look forward to our first home game of the season when Garforth Town visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday.

F/T- Maltby 0-0 Emley

Attendance- 128

Emley- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe©, Pashley, Cowgill, Gooden, Haigh, Jerome, Norcross, Walker; Subs used- Lawrence, Clegg; Unused- Kelly, Curtis, Barks.

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Tom Haigh.