Report: Penistone Church (A)

Emley returned from South Yorkshire with all 3 points from the derby clash with Penistone Church thanks to a first half Nathan Curtis strike and hard work to see the job through.

Backed by the usual strong following, Emley were very quickly on top, but strong defence from the hosts kept them at bay.

Iyrwah Gooden was already causing plenty of problems down Emley's left, the keeper kept on his toes and Gooden was the architect of the games' only goal.

His dancing feet caused problems and after the Penistone defence could only clear to the edge of the box, the ball fell nicely for Nathan Curtis to fire home a beauty past the fully stretched keeper.

Now Emley had the early goal, they looked settled and looked to push for a second goal.

Gooden, cut in from the right and found a shot but the keeper saved, a succession of Emley corners were dealt with before the hosts finally got sight of the Emley goal.

First, a free kick was cleared by the Pewits defence, and then Dec Lambton had to get down low to make a couple of saves.

That was really only the hosts' efforts on goal in the first half, although they did see a wayward short fly out of the ground.

But it was mainly all Emley, but they couldn't build on their lead, Gooden, this time on the right saw a shot from a tight angle strike the outside of the post and out and Paul Walker saw a goalbound shot deflected for a corner which was cleared up.

H/T- PENISTONE 0-1 EMLEY

The second half was something of a battle of attrition as both teams struggled to gain the ascendancy.

Lambton was called upon to make save as Penistone looked for an early equaliser.
Emley's goalscorer, Curtis was replaced by Joe Clegg.

Gooden saw a shot fly wide after a good move through the middle, he was then replaced by Khan.

Penistone also had a shot go wide but there wasn't all that much goalmouth action.

Walshaw somehow found space to get a shot away which was saved and then Metcalfe saw a chance go past as his well struck shot was turned behind for a corner.

Lambton had to be on his toes to keep Church from tying the game up, stopping a close range shot.

Penistone threw everything at Emley in the final few minutes but the defence stood firm as Jake Kelly took over from Paul Walker.

But the Pewits saw the game out and deservedly took the applause of the travelling fans as they made it 3 consecutive wins and clean sheets in the league with a trip to Tadcaster looming on Saturday.

F/T- PENISTONE 0-1 EMLEY.

Attendance - 673

Goal-Curtis (8')

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles (c), Barks, Curtis,Kenny, Walker, Walshaw, Gooden; Subs used- Clegg, Khan, Kelly; Unused -Twigger, Mirza.

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match - James Walshaw