AFC Emley vs Clipstone Welfare - NCEL 2nd October 2012
Emley bounced back from two frustrating defeats with an excellent performance to record a 2-1 win over second placed Clipstone.
Manager Darren Hepworth made a couple of tactical changes from his set up against Grimsby on Saturday and reaped the rewards with a good team performance.
Ashley Flynn put the home team in the lead on 11 minutes finishing off a well worked move which started with Curtis Roberts deep in the Emley half playing a crossfield ball to set him free down the right. Flynn played a neat 1-2 with Levi Maturine before striking a sweet shot past Clipstone keeper Jamie Davies just inside the box.
Emley enjoyed some good spells of pressure on the visitors defence and Maturine came close to doubling the lead with a curling effort from 35 yards out that looked set to dip under the bar but Davies tipped it over to safety.
Clipstone equalised against the run of play as Emley failed to clear their lines from a corner allowing Gavin King the time to control the ball before stabbing it home from 6 yards out.
4 minutes from the break Liam Schofield conceded a penalty for Emley following a challenge from behind in the penalty area. King stepped up and fired to the left of Luke Herriot in the Emley goal but the keeper guessed correctly and saved to keep the scores level.
The home team continued to work hard with Davies pulling off good saves from Roberts, Haigh and Flynn. Matt Thornton squandered a great chance to put Emley back in front after making good ground up the pitch from in his own half before exchanging passes with Flynn but scuffed his shot over the bar from close range.
Emley finally made the pressure count with 6 minutes to go when a great ball from Josh Ingham in midfield found substitute Steven Kenworthy on the edge of the box. Kenworthy chipped across to Haigh who found the bottom right hand corner with a precise finish.
The result elevated Emley back up the table into 6th place. They now travel to Rossington Main on Saturday looking to build upon the victory and keep in touch with the leading pack.
Emley:
Herriot, Thornton, Schofield, Cyrus, Leech (Joseph), Banton, Ingham, Haigh, Flynn (Kenworthy), Maturine, Roberts (Jordan).
Subs (not used): Hazelden, Day.
Man of the Match: Levi Maturine.