Report: Albion Sports (A)

Hard working Emley earned a decent point at unbeaten Albion Sports in a 1-1 draw but could possibly have had all 3.

Emley dominated the first half but somehow found themselves 1-0 down at the break after being hit on the counter attack.

It was frustrating at times as Emley made a great start, Hardakers's shot was pushed wide for a corner, likewise, a shot from Gooden who then cheekily backheeled the resulting corner wide as Albion's keeper was kept on his toes!

A good moved down the right saw a free kick awarded to Emley but it was wasted and went for a goal kick.

Walshaw was next to go close but his shot was also put out for a corner as was Donae Lawrence's 12 yard shot, Albion had their keeper to thank for them still being in the game.

After half an hour the hosts, who had won all previous 5 league games struggled to make any impression on Emley's defence.

But then somehow found themselves 1-0 up, following their first meaningful foray into the Emley half, the league's top scorer fox fired well over, Emley were then hit on the counter, a quick move down field saw the ball played into the area where Johnsen was on hand to tap past Lambton.

It was a blow to Emley, but a good move and finish from the hosts.

Iyrwah Gooden was causing many problems and he had a couple of chances before half time, but couldn't find an equaliser.

H/T Albion Sports 1-0 Emley

The second half didn't really get going, Albion were happy to slow the game down and break it up, sitting back and hoping to counter again, the referee was frustratingly giving free kicks and handing cards out like wedding invites and the game suffered for it.

It was past the hour mark before any real chance and it fell to Emley, Walker did well on the left playing a neat ball into the path of Alex Metcalfe who shot agonisingly wide from around 20 yards out.

Emley remained on the attack for the next few minutes and finally found the back of the net, a defensive error saw the ball picked up by Iyrwah Gooden and he held off the defender to slot home past the keeper.

The Lions came back though and at the other end a shot was narrowly wide as the game looked to open up.

Then it closed down pretty quickly as a flurry of free kicks and bookings, some of them looking pretty innocuous frustrated both teams, especially Emley who had assistant manager Steve Nicholson booked for voicing his frustration.

Emley made changes, Jerome, Haigh and Curtis for Walshaw, Clegg and Lawrence and Jerome wasted little time in introducing himself to the Albion defenders.

He had a sight of goal but his header crept narrowly over.

As the game entered its last throws both teams had chances to win it, Albion awarded a dubious free kick but it went wide and Emley thought they had won it in stoppage time, a free kick was swung in from the right and a header at the back post somehow stayed out courtesy of an Albion boot, the subsequent corner was headed over by Pashley and that was the last chance of the game.

It was the first time Albion Sports had dropped points in the league but Emley dominated large parts but just weren't clinical enough in front of goal.

It's back to FA Cup action on Saturday as Emley make the trip to Mossley in the 2nd qualifying round.

F/T Albion Sports 1-1 Emley

Attendance -172.

Emley - Lambton, Hardaker, Pashley, Metcalfe, Knowles (c) Cowgill, Walker,. Clegg, Walshaw,Lawrence, Gooden; Subs used- Jerome, Haigh, Curtis; unused- Kelly, Twigger.

Goal- Gooden (68')
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Jack Cowgill