Campion 1 - 0 Emley AFC

Emley suffered a 3rd straight loss after a 0-1 defeat to Campion in the battle of the NCEL's top two, but despite the defeat, Emley remain top by 3 points but still with 2 games in hand and a superior goals difference.

Both teams tested each other early on with corners , Petrovic saved for Emley and at the other end Pashley sent a header over as the game struggled to get any kind of rhythm to it.

Emley were conceding free kicks as Campion were finding the ground easily and it was from a free kick that the first real chance of the game came, but the shot by Campion went sailing over.

However, the hosts would soon take the lead and what would prove to be the winning goal when a header from a corner from ex-Emley man Sykes appeared to have been stopped on the line by Petrovic but the goal was awarded.

Emley would then have a great chance to draw level, great work on the left by Curtis saw the ball played into the area, a Campion head then directed the ball onto the bar and luckily for the hosts, out of danger.

Emley were starting to find their feet and after more good play, this time by Metcalfe, Walshaw headed the corner over, Emley were starting to get frustrated by Campion's lack of urgency as half time approached, this would become even more frustrating later on.

The visitors would have a couple more half chances before the break, Walshaw failing to accurately connect with a Pashley ball in and then Barks headed wide from a corner.

H/T- Campion 1-0 Emley

The game was somewhat of a physical battle with neither team giving or taking an inch, it wasn't one for the football purists.

Emley thought they had a good shout for a penalty not long into the second half when Donae Lawrence was sent sprawling as he made his way towards goal, the referee was unmoved though.

Campion almost doubled their lead though when a tremendous long range shot cannoned off an Emley defender and flew over Petrovic's bar.

It was then Emley's turn to have a great chance, from another corner, Barks' shot wasn't cleared and Walshaw's header was bundled away off the line.

Emley looked to refresh things and made changes, Clegg replaced Haigh in the middle and K'marni Miller came on to make his debut replacing Curtis on the left and it wouldn't take Miller long to get into the action, his shot was saved by Campion keeper Emmerson.

The action swung to the other end as Petrovic was down low to save a Campion shot, but Emley, urged on by their big travelling support which made up a large proportion of the 350+ crowd enjoyed some really good spells of pressure on the Campion defence, who to their credit, stood firm and frustrated Emley.

A lot of that frustration was the time they spent retrieving balls and taking spot kicks, with a slender 1-0 lead they were going to play at their own pace, which was bordering on ridiculous at times.

They did manage to get out of their own half though and Petrovic had to be alert to push a shot onto the bar, there was a penalty appeal as well after that which was waved away and that was probably the last we saw of Campion as an attacking threat as Emley then threw absolutely everything at their hosts, Smith replaced the hard working Lawrence and that enabled centre backs Cowgill and Barks to go up front as Emley pushed for an equaliser.

Fortunately for Campion, their keeper dealt with most things Emley threw at them, but The Pewits needed a bit of luck which they didn't get, either the final ball wasn't good enough or a Campion body, head or foot got in the way, time and again, Emley raided down the wings, Miller looking particularly troublesome with his darts on the left but Emley just couldn't get that one clear cut chance that could have saved another defeat.

The best chance came in the final minute as a corner was only cleared to Clegg, he found Barks just outside the area and with the defenders closing him down he fired wide, Emley fans had done their bit by helping to set Campion's season high attendance but the team just couldn't find the goal they craved.

Campion celebrated while Emley applauded their travelling fans and we look to restore the lead at the top of the table on Saturday when we travel to Barton Town.

F/T- Campion 1-0 Emley

Attendance- 357

Emley- Petrovic, Pashley, Baldwin, Metcalfe [c], Cowgill, Barks, Haigh, Kenny, Walshaw, Lawrence, Curtis; Subs used- Clegg, Miller, Smith; Unused- Walker, Hardaker.

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Joe Kenny