Sam Jerome’s early header was cancelled out by Adam Shaw’s tap in, but late second half goals from Ashley Flynn and Kieran Ryan rewarded the hosts with all three points.

Emley traditionally start their matches at a fast-tempo, yet they found themselves on the back foot in the early stages against Yorkshire, who pressed for a goal in the first couple of minutes. Some good defending from Tom Brennan and Sam Jerome ensured that the scores remained level.

Despite the visitors’ dominance, it was the hosts who took the lead. Yorkshire failed to clear a corner, which eventually met Sam Jerome at the far post. The defender nodded into the bottom corner and Emley took the lead, which was warmly welcomed by the many supporters who came along to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground today.

The visitors looked threatening on the right wing, which was accommodated by the rapid T’Nique Fishley. The winger continually caused Liam Schofield all sorts of problems and his hard work would soon be rewarded.

Stemming from his run, Carl Heard set his sights on goal. His rocketing effort was expertly saved by Graham McLachlan, but the rebound fell into the path of a very grateful Adam Shaw, who tapped in to equalise.

The remainder of the first half produced little entertainment for those in attendance, so the second half was greatly anticipated.

HT: Emley 1 – 1 Yorkshire Amateur

But the second half started not too dissimilar from the first half’s proceedings.

It took a good 20 minutes for the game to burst into to life – when it did, it became a fascinating fixture.

Ashley Flynn went through on goal, but flashed his effort wide before missing a header from six yards out, teed up brilliantly by Kieran Ryan.

Then, it looked for the world that Yorkshire were about to make Emley pay for their missed opportunities when Adam Shaw raced through on goal. Graham McLachlan came to the rescue as he came up trumps in the one-on-one, making a game-changing stop.

Yorkshire’s threatening tone soon increased. Adam Shaw, their standout star of the game, clattered the crossbar with a curling effort from distance.

But the hosts would not let Yorkshire’s pressure knock them off balance. Emley went on to take the lead for the second time in the match as a thrilled Ashley Flynn ended his mini goal drought, poking home with ten minutes to go.

Yorkshire continued to demonstrate their threat to draw level and nearly did so with instant effect. Thomas Rose could have responded rapidly but for Tom Brennan’s heroic goal-line clearance after Graham McLachlan went missing.

Any nerves were eventually eradicated when Kieran Ryan connected with Jordan Coduri’s cross to volley into the top corner, clinically.

FT: Emley 3 – 1 Yorkshire Amateur

Emley’s did not move up in the table after Saturday’s fixtures, so they remain in 7th. However, they have closed the gap on teams such as Hallam FC and Penistone Church, who drew with Selby FC and Campion AFC, respectively.

The peak of the table is just two points away from Emley’s reach, and should they beat Knaresborough Town FC and Grimsby Borough in their next two league games, things could get very interesting for Darren Hepworth.

They take a break from the league in midweek as Hallam visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground for the second time this season in the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA County Cup on Wednesday night.

Today’s North Lights Physiotheraphy Man of the Match was Tom Brennan for yet another solid defensive display.

Photo credits go to Mark Parsons.