Emley put on a show against mid-table visitors Barton Town, as their early three-goal lead proved unassailable despite the away side’s best efforts. A scrappy second half cut The Pewits’ lead to two, but Emley ultimately held out to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

The first half saw Emley showcase some of their best football, as Jerome, Walker and Metcalfe all converted, owing thanks to intricate passing and positional play.

As usual, Gooden was a thorn in Barton’s side from the off. He set up two early chances in quick concession to get the home crowd purring.

In the second minute, Kenny raked a ball out to the tricky winger Gooden on the left flank, who went in search of the clinical Jerome with his hanging cross without success.

Moments later, Gooden dazzled fans with his quick feet to escape from a tricky spot in midfield before racing forward and slotting a ball through for Walshaw, whose bold lobbed attempt floated just over.

In spite of Emley’s smothering start, Barton were not bereft of a decent chance or two throughout the match, and inside the first ten minutes a half chance was driven inches wide of the post as a collective exhale of relief resonated through the stand.

The opener came before long in the 11th minute through league leading goalscorer Ruben Jerome, adding a 24th to his tally by finishing off Gooden’s third time lucky attempt at assisting his fellow lethal forwards.

From his familiar position hugging the left touchline, Gooden angled a ball into the path of Jerome, who managed to connect at full stretch and steer it in at the far post.

Jerome was in great form as he constantly found ways to pepper the Barton Town goal with what felt like every attack throughout the first half. In the immediacy of his opening goal, he lashed another strike goalwards that caused problems and almost led to a second on the rebound, but the defence eventually cleared.

Smith was next to try and double Emley’s lead, as he impressively leaped above everybody at the back post to nod Metcalfe’s fine corner delivery centimetres wide.

Emley’s sustained period of pressure finally bore fruit as Paul Walker was on hand to finish Jerome’s driven cross into the area to make it 2-0.

Emley found themselves coasting towards a result after 20 minutes of play and continued to constrict the visitors with real quality on the ball.

The home side got into a real groove after their second. They kept the ball and fiercely contested every challenge. Special mentions must go to Joe Kenny and Alex Metcalfe in the heart of midfield who each seemed to never stop running as Emley frustrated their visitors.

Emley’s dominance paid off once more with a third through Alex Metcalfe, who coolly put the finishing touch on an expansive passing move from defence to attack with a curling shot into the bottom left corner.

H/T: Emley 3-0 Barton Town

After an electric first half showing, Emley’s style of play was met with sheer physicality and loft from a dejected but determined Barton Town side. The side from Lincolnshire did well to shut Emley out in the second half while breaching the Emley defence once themselves.

In the 50th minute, Petrovic was called into decisive action for the first time in the game. A powerful header from Barton Town’s number 7 forced a great save out of the Emley ‘keeper after some great work out on the left wing by Barton Town. It would be false to suggest that the visitors lacked endeavour as they continued to search for ways to reduce the deficit.

Emley eventually found a way to counteract Barton’s sturdier second half approach in the 63rd minute, as Gooden provided an outlet, sprinting deep into Barton territory before trying to get a shot away. Slightly overrunning it, Walshaw had a stab goalwards, and Metcalfe tried to scramble it home. Barton’s defensive work was frantic but effective as they thwarted the attack.

With 20 minutes to go, Barton Town did eventually claw back a goal as Emley seemed to switch off. The away side worked the ball well down the left and the resulting deep cross was headed back into the path of Reece Moody, who slotted home and immediately ran the ball back to the centre circle.

Smelling blood, the visitors tested Emley’s defences once more in the 78th minute, getting more joy down the left wing. They went in search of the back post again but headed just wide this time.

It might be fair to say that Emley were guilty of resting on their laurels in the second half after dismantling Barton with ease in the first.
The Pewits surely must have sensed the danger of a potential comeback after Moody’s deficit reducing goal, as they managed to show some of that class from the first half towards the end, with Gooden providing a constant presence in attack.

In the 85th minute, Gooden cut inside his man and darted into the box after a marauding run from the halfway line. He had to at least hit the target, but his efforts were all for nothing when he blazed high and wide.

The left winger looked sure to get his goal in the 90th minute but was hacked down from behind and a penalty was awarded.

As desperate as Gooden was to score, Curtis was the man placing the ball on the spot. He looked assured as he stepped up, driving low and hard to the left where the ‘keeper tipped the ball round the post.

Emley continued to express themselves in the closing moments before the referee drew proceedings to a close. The win keeps Emley 6 points clear with 9 games remaining, as The Pewits challenge for the title.

F/T: Emley 3-1 Barton Town

Attendance: 420

EMLEY: Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles, Cowgill, Walker, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw

Subs used: T. Haigh, Baldwin, Curtis.
Unused: Smith, Clegg.

GOALS: Jerome (11'), Walker (19'), Metcalfe (40')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match:
Joe Kenny