Report: Garforth Town (H)

Emley had to settle for another point in their fledgling NCEL Premier Division campaign after Garforth Town came from behind to earn a point at the Fantastic Media Welfare ground.

It was Emley's first home game of the new season and against a tough opponent, Garforth, along with Emley are expected to be 2 sides challenging at the top of the table.

In truth, it wasn't a great game but it was a good start by The Pewits, looking for their first goal of the new season following a 0-0 draw at Maltby on Saturday, a couple of corners and free kicks were won but nothing came off them, but the intent was there with Gooden on the right and Walker on the left looking to create space and chances from the flanks and the busy Will Norcross supporting the powerful Jerome.

But it was the visitors, bedecked in green that carved the first chance of the half, a corner caused problems in the Emley defence, and the ball was eventually cleared away inches from the line.

Emley soon got back into attacking mode and almost had a contender for goal of the season this early when Norcross picked up a loose ball just inside Garforth's half and spotted the keeper off his line, his delicate lob just had too much on it and it sailed narrowly over.

But the Emley fans wouldn't have too long to wait for the first goal of the new season and it was the same player who scored our last goal of 2022/23, more impressive stuff from Norcross who whipped a lovely ball in from the left, into Jerome whose touch found Iyrwah Gooden who blasted into the bottom corner, Gooden, of course scored Emley's second goal in the cup final at Doncaster in May, and he is up and running for the season, although following his red card last Saturday, he'll now face a ban.

The game then descended into a bit of tug of war, plenty of physicality, with both teams back and forth but no clear-cut chances until a good build up from left to right saw Stevie Smith's cross go behind.

There was another chance for Emley just before half time when Walker set off on a mazy run and found Jerome, but the big striker couldn't find the finish.

H/T-Emley 1-0 Garforth.

The second half was almost like a half of two halves with both sides enjoying dominant phases, Emley were on the front foot at the start, Gooden, now on the left, along with Hardaker were causing problems with their movement and pace, Norcross was still buzzing around the midfield and Walker was assured on the right.

Norcross had the next good chance of the game when a free kick wasn't cleared and he blasted over, there was an even better chance a few minutes later as Gooden again, tormented his man before playing a lovely ball into Jerome who, like Gazza in 96, just failed to make contact and possibly put the game beyond the Miners.

Emley were still in the ascendency though and looking for that crucial second goal and it almost came a minute or so later, with the pressure still on, they forced a corner, Hardaker whipped in from the right and Barks saw a free header drop agonisingly wide.

Surviving those chances seemed to inspire the visitors who then took control of the game, a few subs made and a fresh approach saw them cause Emley lots of problems at the Warburton end, Dec Lambton, who had had very little to do in the game suddenly became busy, after the backline was breached there was relief to see a shot go wide and just a minute later, Lambton was on hand to turn a good shot wide.

Clegg replaced Haigh in Emley's midfield as Town were now piling the pressure on, Emley's defence held up well, Cowgill and Barks forming a formidable barrier but Garforth still pushed on, last ditch tackles and scrambles saw Emley keep them out for now but it was only a matter of time before the equaliser came, a good break down their right, the ball was played in and crashed home to the delight of their travelling fans.

Another Emley sub, Lawrence replaced Norcross, but Garforth kept the pressure on, again, Lambton was called into action as they almost grabbed a second goal, Lambton pushed a shot over the bar for a corner which wasn't cleared and then relief for Emley as the shot flew over the bar.

Emley then started to ease the pressure and could finally get out of their own half, with Lawrence busy and occupy defenders they finally carved out a chance of their own, Jerome forced a corner which Lawrence headed wide, Jerome then saw another shot blocked as Emley sought a winner in the dying stages.

Walker was replaced by Nathan Curtis for his debut, and it would be Curtis who could have made himself a hero in the final seconds.

With the game now entering 6 additional minutes both sides would have a chance each to win it, first, Garforth drilled a shot wide before Curtis and Jerome combined, the latter flicking a header on, Curtis steadied himself before pulling a shot inch wide of the upright with the keeper beaten.

There wasn't to be a winner and so Emley pick up their second point of the season and attention now turns to the FA Cup with Avro the visitors in the extra preliminary round on Sunday.

F/T- Emley 1-1 Garforth

EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe[c], Barks, Cowgill, Gooden, Haigh, Jerome, Norcross, Walker; Subs used- Clegg, Lawrence, Curtis; Unused- Kelly, Pashley.
GOAL- Gooden '12
ATTENDANCE- 270
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Charlie Barks