After a run of 4 unbeaten games in the cup competitions, The Pewits were sure to continue in their fine vein of form against league opposition in a dominant display.

Emley had one hand on three points after the first half that bore-witness to clinical attacking play and solid defensive work.

Straight from kick-off, Iyrwah Gooden was a thorn in the side of the Boro defence, as he drove into Knaresborough’s half with ease, before cutting inside and stinging the palms of ‘keeper in the first minute.

In a frantic opening few minutes, Knaresborough headed straight down the other end. A long throw-in was turned goalwards but handled with ease by Lambton.
Knaresborough’s start was bright, but soon Emley would grow into the game to control the first half. Ruben Jerome almost opened the scoring with a low drive towards the bottom left corner, but Thomas Brown in the Boro goal was equal to it.

Emley’s front three were visibly hungry to score, and it did not take very long before Iyrwah Gooden produced a spectacular volley to make it 1-0.

Shortly afterwards, Sam Pashley’s huge tackle doubled as a slide-rule ball down the right wing for Walshaw to chase and cut back to Jerome, who’s shot was fumbled and almost finished off by Gooden, but Brown recovered quickly enough to thwart the attack.

Knaresborough had a good chance to level the scores as they were awarded a free kick for a silly foul in a good position in line with the goal. The attempt was the perfect height but inches wide, and Emley were let off the hook.
Shortly afterwards, Boro’s winger Dominic Creamer flew down the left flank and fizzed in a pinpoint cross. Jack Carr met it well and steered it on target, but Lambton was unphased as he caught the shot.

Though Knaresborough never looked truly out of it in the first half, Emley continued to dominate possession, constantly probing the opposition’s defence.

Confidence visibly coursed through the Emley players, and the Emley ultras serenaded their team. As cries of ‘We’ve got super Richard Tracey…’ went up in the terrace, Gooden was fouled in the Knaresborough box and a penalty was awarded.

James Walshaw was dependable as he found the right inside netting with an unsavable penalty to put Tracey’s men 2-0 up before the half-hour mark.

In-form man Donae Lawrence had the chance to make it three before half time, but he could not get the cut back from Gooden out of his feet, and the danger was averted by Boro.

HT Emley 2-0 Knaresborough

For the majority of the second half, it was Emley in the ascendancy as they controlled possession and sought to kill the game off with a third goal that ultimately never came.

Less than five minutes into the half, a foul sparked a huge altercation in the centre of the pitch and bravado got the better of a couple of players who received bookings for their sins, one of which being Lawrence.

As tempers flared, Emley upped the ante, and moments later Ruben Jerome beat Knaresborough’s defensive line to find himself one-on-one with what felt like an eternity to compose himself. A huge moment to kill the game went begging as Jerome dragged his shot wide, capping off what was a frustrating night for the talented forward.

The Emley players were lining up the have a chance to grab a third, as local lad Clegg was next to have a go. Galloping onto Walshaw’s low cross from the left, he narrowly failed to capitalise, but the entertaining brand of football audibly impressed the Emley faithful.

Coming on from the bench, Will Norcross was sure to entertain some more as he pestered the Boro back line. Barely a minute after his introduction, he twisted and turned on the edge of the box, selling his marker, before getting a shot away that tested the ‘keeper.
As the third goal proved to be elusive and some players began to look leggy, Emley began to sit back, with Thomas Haigh and Alex Metcalfe putting in a combative and energetic performance together in defensive midfield.

Knaresborough then had a spell of aggression and looked likely to score from a floated free kick into the box that was turned goalwards, but Jake Kelly was in the right place at the right time to clear off the line. Heroic from the man who was a late addition to the starting lineup before kick-off.

Emley’s resolute defence frustrated the Boro players, as fouls began to fly in during the closing stages of the game. Knaresborough embarked upon a collection of punishments and bookings from the referee before Ewan Gregson saw red for a cynical, frustrated stamp on Kelly, shortly after Brett Smith was sin-binned for dissent.

A foul-ridden, stop-start end to a brilliant performance brought the curtain down on an impressive evening for Emley.

Knaresborough were by no means a poor side – they were tricky and technical, while Emley were direct and physical. An early two goal cushion meant Emley could rely on a sturdy defensive unit to see out the game in what was a frustrating second half for the Emley forwards.

Three points brings Emley up to 8th in the NCEL Premier Division, as we prepare to visit perfect starters Albion Sports on Wednesday 13th September at 8pm.

FT Emley 2-0 Knaresborough

EMLEY – Lambton, Kelly, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles (c), Pashley, Gooden, Clegg, Walshaw, Jerome, Lawrence; Subs used – Walker, Haigh, Norcross, Curtis; Unused – Kenny.

GOALS – Gooden (’10), Walshaw (’60)

Moxon and co. Man of the Match – Sam Pashley