Garforth Town 1 - 2 Emley AFC

NCEL Premier division leaders Emley secured another 3 points with a hard fought win at 3rd placed Garforth Town thanks to a brace from the league's top scorer Ruben Jerome.

It was a 5th straight league win for Emley against a side who had won their last 6, it wasn't the prettiest game but on a heavy and sticky pitch it was good enough to maintain the 9 game unbeaten run.

It was a slow burner with little goalmouth action for the first 10-15 minutes, Emley forced a corner which was cleared away and Garforth had a couple of half chances.

Emley thought they'd taken the lead with a well worked goal, Tom Haigh's ball in was headed in by an offside James Walshaw.

Ruben Jerome was starting to cause Garforth problems and his superb turn and shot was just wide of the upright.

The Emley supporters would be cheering 2 minutes later as the league leaders took the lead, the ball found itself at the feet of Pashley who whipped in a superb cross, the ball was headed into the path of Ruben Jerome and he poked home from close range.

However, those cheers didn't last long as Garforth went down the other end and equalised, Petrovic did well to parry the original shot but could do nothing to stop the rebound being smashed home by Viggars.

Garforth then enjoyed a purple patch of possession and chances but thankfully for Emley their finishing was way off.

A shot wide, one that was blocked superbly by Cowgill and then a close range header which looked easier to score all passed them by, Emley dug in and saw the half out.

H/T- Garforth 1-1 Emley

Emley started the second half well, only 5 minutes had been played when a lovely right wing cross from Kenny found Haigh but the keeper was on hand to stop it from going in.

Garforth had a chance up the other end, a ball was flashed across the Emley area but there was no one in blue to put the finish to it.

Emley's first change saw Joe Clegg replace Tom Haigh and Clegg was straight into the action, playing his part in Emley's second goal just before the hour.

Gooden was awake when Garforth were sleeping and nipped in to steal the ball, he played Clegg in on the right the shot was parried straight into the path of Ruben Jerome, the league's top scorer didnt need a second invite to smash home from close.

Jerome, again caused problems for the hosts, he beat 2 defenders before hitting a shot across goal but the ball eventually eluded everyone, he then found a way to get a shot at goal but it was blocked and the keeper mopped up the loose ball.

Emley keeper Petrovic was a bystander at this point but he had to be alert to save a fine shot low down as the hosts woke up.

Petrovic was in action again a few minutes later as he stopped a header from going in.

The game was getting tetchy by now with fouls, niggles, appeals and shouts the order of the day.

Walshaw was replaced by Curtis, moments after being hacked down by the home defenders, Emley were unhappy that the ref ignored it.

Joe Kenny then put in a ferocious tackle on the touchline but Garforth thought it was a foul and appealed strongly, the ref thought it was a fair but strong challenge and ordered a free kick.

Garforth came on strong in the last few minutes but Emley held firm, with the home fans and bench getting more irate by the minute, Jerome almost made it safe when he made space for a shot but the keeper saved.

Into the last few minutes then and the over worked Metcalfe was given a rest and replaced by new signing Isaac Baldwin as Garforth pushed for an equaliser, thankfully and to ironic cheers from the Emley contingent, the best chance was hacked over the bar.

Garforth were again unhappy when the referee waved away a penalty appeal, cue more shouts of derision and abuse from the home contingent, but Emley held firm to bag 3 crucial points in this crucial week.

Emley celebrated with the travelling support, who again turned out in great numbers, knowing that we are now 6 points clear and with 2 games in hand on Campion, who we visit next week.

However, we have the small matter of a trip to Worcester on Saturday with an FA Vase semi final place up for grabs.

F/T- Garforth 1-2 Emley

Attendance - 276

Emley - Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles (c), Cowgill, Haigh, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw; Subs used- Clegg, Curtis, Baldwin; Unused-Barks, Walker.

Goals- Jerome (26', 56')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match - Alex Metcalfe