Emley AFC 1 - 0 Albion Sports

Emley are within 90 minutes of becoming NCEL Premier Division champions following a 1-0 win over Albion Sports at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

The Pewits will go to Goole knowing that they could leave as champions depending on ours and Campion's results, but they had to be patient to see off a dogged Sports side who are pushing for promotion themselves, they're currently occupying the final play off spot.

Cheered on by a crowd of almost 500, Emley got off to a good start playing towards the Warburton end and within 2 minutes had fashioned a half chance but Gooden couldn't control a header from a ball played in from the right.

Pashley was providing plenty of energy and effort down the right and it was his ball into the back post which found Barks but the defender couldn't find the finish, it was almost a carbon copy 5 minutes but this time it was Isaac Baldwin who couldn't trouble the Albion keeper Trennery after good play by Hardaker and Gooden.

Albion then managed to create a decent chance, straight from a goal kick, but Joe Kenny's quick thinking defending nicked the ball away from Fox in the nick of time to clear the danger.

Emley back on the attack and after good build up work by Baldwin and Kenny, the ball found itself at the feet of Alex Metcalfe who let fly but could only watch his shot go wide and then Emley were relieved when Robbie Fox the league's second top scorer looked to have a chance but fortunately for the Pewits he mis controlled the ball and the chance was gone.

Walshaw then showed great balance and strength, receiving the ball inside right, he beat a couple of defenders before cutting in but his curling shot was dealt with by Trennery.

Most of the rest of the action was at the Warburton end for the rest of the half, but a mixture of resolute defending and wastefulness saw the score remain goalless at half time, Gooden thought he had a good penalty claim but the referee wasn't interested, and there was a free kick for the visitors that was headed wide, to the relief of the Emley fans in the shed.

H/T- EMLEY 0-0 ALBION SPORTS

It was the Lions who started the second half the brighter, and Petrovic in the Emley nets was forced into his first real save, getting down low to save, he was called into action again a couple of minutes later as the visitors threatened to take the lead, this time, a well placed shot was gathered by the Emley stopper.

Up at the other end, Emley looked like they were getting their act together, and Joe Kenny and Tom Haigh saw shots saved as the Pewits began to turn the tide.

Skipper Alex Metcalfe then had the best chance of the game so far , after a brilliant run inside from the right from Pashley, the ball rebounded off a defender into the path of Metcalfe who struck a fine shot goalwards but the Albion keeper pulled off a tremendous save to deny him, Pashley then blasted wide from the next phase.

Gooden was starting to find his feet now and he was on top of his game for a spell in the second half, teasing and tormenting the full back, after finding space on the left, he tried a curling shot which beat the keeper but flashed past the far post, Gooden was again in the thick of things a minute or so later but couldn't get to a Baldwin cross in time before it was cleared.

Emley were on top and the vocal supporters in the shed were right behind them as they turned up the heat and when Metcalfe burst into the box, he was first pulled back then sent crashing and a penalty was awarded, Albion didn't like the decision, so much so that after letting the referee know his thoughts, the referee pulled out a yellow card and sent an Albion man off to the sin bin for 10 minutes, Walshaw stepped up to take the penalty but it wasn't the best and Trennery made a save low down.

However, that would soon be forgotten as Emley eventually did take the lead just 4 minutes later, a goal that would ultimately prove to be the winner, after outfoxing the defence on the right, Isaac Baldwin drifted over a lovely ball to the back post where Iyrwah Gooden was on hand to head home, although there was a massive deflection from a defender, not that Gooden or Emley cared as the noise in the shed was turned up and Emley were on the way.

Emley thought they'd doubled the lead a few minutes later as Gooden buried a lovely through ball past the keeper but the offside flag was already raised.

Emley made their first change as Baldwin gave way to Nathan Curtis and the visitors made 4 changes as they battled to keep their hopes alive, and they there was a big shout from them for a penalty but the ref wasn't interested, cue more unhappiness from the Lions.

More changes for Emley, the league's top scorer Ruben Jerome replaced Walshaw and Lawrence took over from the busy Joe Kenny, Emley were now counting down to the final whistle but Albion kept them on their toes for a lot of the +6 minutes, trying to push for an equaliser, despite seeing a shot go wide, they didn't manage to trouble the impressive backline as the Pewits held on to a mighty cheer.

Emley head to Goole now on Saturday knowing that a draw for the Pewits or a defeat for Campion will hand Emley the league title with 3 games to spare, tonight was a huge step towards the ultimate goal, Saturday could see the flag planted firmly at the summit!

F/T- EMLEY 1-0 ALBION SPORTS

ATTENDANCE- 489

EMLEY- Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Cowgill, Barks, Haigh, Kenny, Walshaw, Gooden, Baldwin: Subs used- Curtis, Jerome, Lawrence: Unused- Smith, Clegg.

GOAL- Gooden ('69)

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Charlie Barks.