Emley 0-1 Rossington Main

Emley's first game as NCEL Premier Division champions ended in defeat at the hands of a very capable Rossington Main on a disappointing night for the Pewits.

Emley weren't at their best but probably understandable after the emotion and celebrations of the weekend, that's not to take anything away from Main who needed a point to confirm their play off place and so job done for them too.

There was a guard of honour from the visitors to welcome the champions onto the field and that's as far as their kindness went as they set about trying to get their play off spot confirmed.

It was a decent start from Emley with Isaac Baldwin having the games' first shot on goal but it flew over, Rossington were down the other end and the dangerous Kianga was starting to cause Emley problems but the defence dealt with his run.

Dec Lambton in the Emley goals was called into action to prevent an opening goal for the visitors, the initial shot was blocked well by Lambton, a second shot was blocked by Knowles and then the final shot cannoned off his own man from Kianga as Rossington somehow failed to find the net, relief for Emley who then saw Jerome try and chip the keeper from way out but the attempt was off target.

Both teams were pushing for an opener, Gooden and Metcalfe combined on the left but the cross was gathered by Rosso keeper Pollard, at the other end, Rossington pushed forward again, looking to catch Emley on the break but the Pewits' back line again stood firm.

But with just over 20 minutes gone, the visitors stunned the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground with the opening goal, and as it turned out, the winning goal, a free kick 20 yards out was dealt with by Emley's defensive wall, but the ball was kept alive and zipped back into the area where Young sent a powerful header crashing past Lambton.

There wasn't many chances in the next few minutes as the game settled down, Emley looking to catch Main down the flanks and Rosso looking to utilise their passing game and pace and trickery of Kianga, it was Rossington who had the games next chance but a header was gathered by Lambton.

Emley found some joy at last down the left wing as half time approached but Hardaker's ball in evaded everyone and the chance was gone, the referee brought Emley's first 45 minutes as champions to a close.

H/T- EMLEY 0-1 ROSSINGTON

Emley were out first for the second half and were on top early on but still couldn't breach a sturdy Rossington defence, Gooden found some space on the left, but he was off balance as he got the shot away and it went wide.

Emley were then on the backfoot as Main pushed for a second, but Eames' shot hurtled wide, Emley went down the other end and Gooden was played in but the Rossington keeper stuck a long leg out to deflect the shot wide, a few minutes later and Emley had fashioned another chance, after a corner wasn't cleared, the ball found its way to Metcalfe who tried a volley but it flew wide.

Jimmy Eyles replaced Nathan Curtis just past the hour mark as Emley looked for a way back in against a stubborn and well organised Rossington outfit, Eyles was straight into the action but he couldn't stretch enough to meet a Metcalfe ball in.

Emley were trying their best to get back square but the ball wasn't running for them tonight, or there was a good block from a Main defender to thwart the danger.

Rossington were still looking dangerous, Kianga and Hannah were probing well looking for a second to kill the game, Emley were relieved when Kianga headed over the bar from a free kick, and a few moments later when Hannah couldn't connect with a ball in across goal.

Isaac Baldwin picked up a yellow card for Emley before being replaced, along with Ruben Jerome by Paul Walker and Kieran Haigh respectively, but still the Pewits couldn't fashion a clear cut chance which would have earned a draw.

And it looked like Rossington had got their second late on but Lambton pulled off a sensational save to deny them and then watched on relieved as the rebound was put into the side netting, but ultimately it wouldn't matter as Rossington held on for a fine, well deserved win, a win that secures them a play off place and on the evidence tonight, we could well be meeting them again in the NPL next season.

With the last remnants of the game, Iyrwah Gooden saw a shot blasted over the bar after good work by Metcalfe and then found himself yellow carded as he prevented a quick breakaway.

Emley move on to Saturday now when our local rivals Golcar United visit us as we are presented with the league champions trophy in what should be a party atmosphere at our final home league game of the season, an Emley win will be a fitting way to end the home league campaign,

F/T- EMLEY 0-1 ROSSINGTON

ATTENDANCE- 390

EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles (c) Barks, T.Haigh, Curtis, Jerome, Gooden, Baldwin; Subs used- Eyles, Walker, K.Haigh; Unused- Pashley, Cowgill.

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Ross Hardaker