Flynn absence fails to derail promotion push as Pewits hit Hall Road for four

Nonetheless, Darren Hepworth’s side were in cruise control and leapfrogged AFC Mansfield into third place thanks to a convincing 4-1 away victory.

Hall Road manager Martin Thacker hadn’t even made it out of the tunnel before the first goal of the evening had been scored. Ruben Jerome caused chaos straight from the kick-off with a tantalising run into the box that was illegally brought to a halt by Danny Blount. Robbie Graham was presented with the opportunity to fire the visitors in front from twelve yards – a task in which he completed by smashing the ball into the roof of the net. A minute hadn’t even been played, yet Emley were 1-0 in front.

Despite Emley’s strong start to the match, Hall Road were awarded a penalty, however Danny Walker failed to do what Robbie Graham could. Credit must be given where it’s due to Adam Lawlor, whose marvellous save onto the post kept the away side in the match.

Lawlor was then called into action again as the first half drew to a close. Similarly to the events fifteen minutes previously, the goalkeeper denied Danny Walker once again, whilst Jordan Coduri picked up the pieces and cleared off the line.

Half time allowed supporters to evaluate an uncharacteristically glum first half over a pint, yet Pewit fans could have no complaints 45 minutes later. Just like the first half, Hepworth’s men were quick to start in the second, and aided by a Mike Thompson own goal, increased the deficit to 2-0.

Just as the floodgates were about to burst open, Jordan Douglas did everything in his power to keep them closed for as long as possible – a marvellous close range save left Michael Tunnacliffe scratching his head as to why his goal tally for the season hadn’t reached six.

But as culturally known, nature dominates man, so the floodgates did indeed open shortly after that stop from the 18-year-old. From the resulting corner, Craig Billington, leading the front line in the absence of Ashley Flynn, nodded home for his second of the season, before Jordan Townend’s blushes were spared. Moments after missing the opportunity to score the goal of the game, the midfielder was merited as his free kick flew underneath the makeshift wall and past the gloves of Douglas in the Hall Road goal.

That may have been the end of Emley’s goals for the night, but there certainly could have been more. Tunnacliffe who was excellently thwarted earlier in the half saw his curling effort rise just over the bar, whilst Alex Hallam’s impressive run, which saw him take on three Hall Road defenders, then the goalkeeper, ended in a shot that was blocked on the line.

The hosts did, however, manage to get on the score sheet, much to the frustration of Adam Lawlor, whose magnificent first half performance deserved a clean sheet. But Rangers substitute Callum Harrison capitalised on a defensive mix-up to tap into an empty net in the final kick of the game.

After the match, gaffer Darren Hepworth tweeted “A 4-1 win in your back pocket makes the long journey back from Hull tonight a bit easier..... 23 unbeaten in the league.”

Thanks to that 23 match unbeaten run, AFC Emley find themselves just a point behind the automatic promotion places after overtaking AFC Mansfield, who face Yorkshire Amateur on Wednesday evening, with the chance to regain third place.

Mid-tabled Selby Town are next up on the fixture list for the Pewits.