Report: Thackley (A)

Emley secured a vital 3 NCEL Premier Division points with a 3-1 win over 3rd placed Thackley in Bradford but they were made to fight and scrap all the way in a battling performance.

It wasn't the prettiest game but it was one that both Thackley and Emley really wanted to win and it showed, with both sides giving their all in front of Thackley's highest crowd of the season of over 400, boosted, of course by Emley's terrific travelling support, who were rewarded in the end.

The game, for the most part was a scrappy, dogged affair that took a while to get going, despite Iyrwah Gooden forcing Thackley's keeper Wilson into a couple of routine stops early on, the first chance didn't really come until the 15th minute when Metcalfe set up Gooden but his shot was again saved by Wilson.

Emley's next chance came a minute or so later but Jack Cowgill headed over from a throw in before the hosts had a good chance themselves, a ball into the area caused Emley problems but Lambton was forced to make a crucial save low down, 2 minutes later and Lambton was forced into another save from close range.

As the game livened up, so did Emley's fans as they opened the scoring around the 20th minute mark, good play in midfield saw the ball shifted out to the left and the ball in was met by Emley's top scorer Ruben Jerome who slotted home his 25th goal of the season.

Thackley then wasted a great chance to equalise, former Pewit Finn Donovan set up Ellison-Tope but faced with an onrushing Dec Lambton he skied his effort well over.

The game had its tetchy moments, Jerome was shown a yellow for a challenge from behind on Donovan and then after great work by Gooden in midfield which saw him win the ball and burst into the Thackley half only to be cynically pulled down as he looked to head towards goal which resulted in a yellow for Thackley's Billy, and then Emley skipper Metcalfe was booked for a challenge as the ref suddenly clamped down.

Right on half time, Emley had a glorious chance to double their lead, Gooden again was in the clear but the keeper pulled off a great save to deny Emley's number 10 and so Emley took a narrow lead into the break.

H/T- THACKLEY 0-1 EMLEY

Thackley were quickly on the front foot in the second half but Donovan's shot was deflected for a corner which was dealt with by The Pewits, but they failed to deal with a ball over the top 10 minutes later which led to Thackely's equaliser, Lambton came out to close down but Suddards was a second quicker, lifting the ball beyond the stranded Emley keeper into the empty net.

But The Dennyboys were only level for 7 minutes as Emley finally took control of the game and the league points, after having several frustrating calls go against them, Emley managed to put a decent attack together which led to a throw on the right, Pashley's throw in was flicked on by Cowgill to Ruben Jerome who, quick as a flash buried a shot past the keeper into the roof of the net, goal number 26 for Emley's number 9!.

Thackley stuck at their task though and looked for a second equaliser, 2 shots in as many minutes went wide as Emley looked to counter, the final ball not being quite right on numerous occasions.

But the game and the points were finally sealed 9 minutes from the end, with the match firmly still in the balance, Emley struck for a third time, great determination from Hardaker kept the ball in and his shot won Emley a corner on their right, from the corner Charlie Barks was allowed a free header to head into an empty net after the keeper was left floundering on the ground, Thackley claimed a foul but the keeper appeared to run into an Emley player instead.

Cue celebrations from the Emley fans, who again, travelled in numbers and must have made up at least half of the announced crowd, it wasn't quite game over though and those fans were left holding their breaths when a ball into the area was smashed against his own post by Barks but thankfully the rebound was dealt with and the danger cleared.

Emley just had time to put a further layer of gloss on the win in the last minute as Iyrwah Gooden was sent free into the box but Wilson again thwarted him, but it mattered not as Emley celebrated their 17th win, a win that couple with Campion's defeat at Eccleshill in a Bradford derby means that Emley are now just a point behind Campion but with 4 games still in hand to put The Pewits in pole position to top the table, it also meant that Emley widen the gap to 3rd placed Thackley to 10 points with 2 games in hand.

A pretty good day for Emley in Bradford then, but it's on to Sheffield next for another tough test away at Hallam on Tuesday night.

F/T- THACKLEY 1-3 EMLEY.
ATTENDANCE- 423
EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Barks, Cowgill, Lawrence, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Curtis.
Subs used- Knowles, Clegg, Eyles, Jagger; Unused- K.Haigh.
GOALS- Jerome (19'65') Barks (83')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Sam Pashley