Hallam 0 - 2 Emley

AFC Emley made it eight unbeaten in the league and cruised into third place in the NCEL Division courtesy of a workmanlike 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Hallam FC at Sandygate.

A draw in the league and a cup defeat meant Emley were after revenge against the Sheffield side and Darren Hepworth’s side got just that thanks to goals in each half from Ashley Flynn and Jordan Coduri.

The Huddersfield side face lower placed opposition in their next two matches, facing Worsbrough Bridge Athletic on Wednesday night (19.45) and Westella & Willerby on Saturday (15.00), both at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

They will seek victory in both games in order to apply constrictive pressure on league leaders Penistone Church.

But Emley sent out a meaningful message on Saturday afternoon after beating favoured rivals Hallam on their own patch, the oldest football ground in the world.

Ashley Flynn opened the scoring midway through the first half, cutting inside and firing a powerful, low drive into the bottom corner.

The hosts threatened an equaliser, but a combination of remarkable goalkeeping and defending from Graham McLachlan, Tom Brennan and Sam Jerome kept them at bay.

Emley had a plethora of opportunities to double their advantage before the interval, but failed to take any.

They had to wait until the 80th minute, when Jordan Coduri slotted past Hallam goalkeeper Dave Darwent – that’s when the celebrations really started because Emley knew they had taken the spoils in a promotion six-pointer.