AFC Emley v Albion Sports NCEL 3rd November 2012

The result puts a dent in their promotion hopes and manager Darren Hepworth will be looking to put things right when they entertain Maltby in the Sheffield Cup on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).

As has happened all too often Emley made a good start but failed to capitalise on early chances, then paid the price later on being punished by a side who were more ruthless in front of goal.

Leading scorer Ashley Flynn was at the heart of the early play and did well to square the ball for Stephen Kenworthy who was just inches away with connecting to turn the ball over the line. Matt Thornton provided the next chance with a driving run into the box before dragging the ball back into the path of Anthony Haigh but he scooped the ball over the bar. Then Flynn and Thornton combined well to set up Doran Jordan but he too fired over the bar.

Despite good build up play Albion offered very little in response up until 35th minute when they broke the deadlock, and it was a superb piece of play from Daniel Facey. Facey, brother of former Town man Delroy who was watching in the crowd, took the ball round two Emley defenders before blasting an unstoppable angled drive past Luke Herriott into the roof of the net.

Emley responded well and Flynn flicked a long ball past his marker but could only blast the loose ball at Albion keeper Aaron Brian.

Haigh had Brian at full stretch as he delivered a well struck shot from the edge of the box which was saved by the keeper Kenworthy latched onto the loose ball but saw his effort blocked before Liam Schofield drove wide.

Jordan was next to be denied playing a neat 1-2 with Flynn as Brian made a brave block getting his body in the way of the ball. The winger also saw a deep cross clip the bar whilst Schofield rattled the upright with an angled shot.

Albion found clear cut chances limited with Paul Sykes leading the line well and making some well timed challenges to keep the visitors at bay. It was by no means a one sided half, whilst Emley had created the better chances Albion did the important things right and put the ball in the net.

The early stages of the second half were lacking in goalmouth incident and whilst Emley took the game to the visitors they found their back line in a disciplined mood. Sykes came close with a header from a corner, with the ball falling kindly back to him at his feet but his close range effort was cleared brilliantly by James Stansfield.

Emley did manage to claw back an equaliser on 56 minutes as Flynn unlocked the Albion defence before rounding Brian and dragging the ball back for Haigh who slotted home from the edge of the six yard box.

At the other end of the field Facey continued to prove a handful and Emley were thankful for a last minute intervention from Sykes as the powerful frontman struck at goal.

Albion did regain the lead on 70 minutes and manager Hepworth will be asking questions of his defence as a deep corner landed straight at the feet of Stansfield unmarked at the back post for a simple tap in.

Emley fought back and almost forced another equaliser with 10 minutes to go. John Cyrus saw a header from a corner blocked, with the ball falling into the path of Flynn who chipped the ball back in to Cyrus but his 2nd header bounced back off the post.

Substitute Brad Riley also went agonisingly close after beating 2 men but his vicious angled drive flew across the face of goal with Brian beaten.

After riding their luck Albion finally wrapped the game up with 2 minutes to go. With Emley throwing everything up to force an equaliser they were caught out on the break as Anil Singh held the ball up well before releasing it to fellow sub Graeme Sykes who smashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards out.

With Emley in disarray Facey almost made it 4-1 in injury time with a thunderous drive from outside the area which cannoned back off the crossbar.

On reflection the two sides were evenly balanced and Albion wouldn’t have been disappointed to leave with a draw but deserve full credit for taking advantage of the chances when created. For Emley they simply must begin to find some home form if they are to mount a challenge for promotion.

Emley:
Herriott, Thornton, Schofield, Ingham, Sykes (c), Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan (Maturine 81), Flynn, Haigh, Kenworthy (Riley 68). Subs (not used): Cooke, Leech.

Albion Sports:
Brian, Lyn, Hussain (c) (Stamer 66), Flaherty (Singh 65), Stansfield, Brown, Maturine, Jones, Facey, Jackson (Sykes 68), Cusack.

Emley Cautions: Thornton 54, Joseph 61.
Albion Cautions: Cusack 54, Maturine 78.

Emley Man of the Match: Paul Sykes