AFC Emley got their season off to a winning start in a tough, feisty encounter at Armthorpe Welfare, despite playing for most of the 2nd half with 10 men, Emley held on to pick up the 3 points.
In a game that started in hot sunshine, Emley were the quickest out of the blocks, a couple of good runs by Shane Hamilton ended up in nothing, Armthorpe did manage the first shot of the game on the 8 minute mark but, again, came to nothing.
Hamilton and Ruben Jerome were beginning to cause problems for the home side, a strong Jerome run and cross caused panic in the Armthorpe defence but Emley couldn't capitalise, a few minutes later, Hamilton sent a lovely cross over, but there was no one at the back post to connect with it.
But on 19 minutes, great work by Mikey Starkey down Emley's left led to the opening goal, his cross was buried by a close range header from Ruben Jerome and Emley were on their way.
Jordan Townend looked to make it 2 a minute or so later but his shot fell nicely for the 'keeper to gather.
The home side weathered the storm and managed a couple of shots of their own, one hitting the side netting, the other blazed over.
Hamilton then doubled Emley's lead a few minutes before half time with a peach of a goal, great work down Emley's left hand side again, saw the ball bypass Jerome and Hamilton volleyed home, 2-0 to Emley!
Half time came and the good number of Emley supporters liked what they had seen and hoped for more of the same in the 2nd half.
Within 2 minutes of the restart the Pewits were reduced to 10 men, Dan Stocker adjudged to be the last man outside the box as the Armthorpe man went sprawling, from the resulting free kick, Armthorpe smashed the crossbar and Emley were relieved.
From then on it was man the trenches from the visitors, Armthorpe piled the pressure on but the centre back pairing of Tim Wallace and Wayne Hughes dealt with most of the attacks, a couple of shots zipped across Adam Ledger's goal but luckily to the right side of the posts for Emley.
The game was becoming slow and niggly by the middle of the 2nd half, a couple of bookings for late tackles were shown and fatigue was setting in.
Emley did manage a couple of good attacks which came to nothing, but the attacking threat of Jerome and Hamilton was always there.
As the clocked ticked down, Armthorpe finally got through Emley's stubborn defence, a good finish beat Ledger who did all he could to stop it. Armthorpe had one last chance which was fired over the crossbar to the relief of Emley players and supporters and the Pewits held on and saw out the last couple of minutes for a well deserved win.
AFC Emley team; Ledger, Stocker, Starkey, Whittaker, Wallace, Hughes, Hamilton, Tunnacliffe, Jerome, Townend, Semley. Subs used; Ingham, Williams, Kemp. Unused Subs; Roberts, Harrison

Scorers; Jerome 19, Hamilton 42
Attendance 107
Hepworth group Man of the match- Shane Hamilton
Next game is Home to Selby Town on Wednesday 8 August.