Pontefract Collieries v AFC Emley - NCEL 10th November 2012

But more importantly manager Darren Hepworth would be looking for consistency of performance that had let Emley down of late.

Emley got off to the dream start and were a goal up with little over than a minute on the clock. Steven Kenworthy linked up well with Antony Leech who was promoted to a midfield position. He found Levi Maturine in a ball moved quickly across the pitch. Maturine squared the ball for Ashley Flynn who on the half volley drove past the advancing Pontefract keeper Kent. Kenworthy following up prodded the ball home as the home defence sought to clear.

Pontefract from the kick off immediately put the Emley defence under pressure, a swift move down the left and cross saw Luke Herriot stranded as a header bounced onto the post and then fell to a Pontefract attacker on the edge of the 6 yard box. His shot was cleared off the line by Leech who had worked hard and tracked back.

The pace of Flynn and Kenworthy combined with a bumpy surface were causing the Pontefract defence no end of problems. It was Kenworthy who created the next Emley opening; his shot on the half volley was just wide of the upright, following a quick break from the deep. Kenworthy in particular was finding space much deeper and delivering some quality balls into space, to be exploited by the pace of Flynn. On 16 minutes the same combination found the Emley frontman one on one with the keeper. He attempted to lift the ball over the advancing keeper; an unfortunate bobble resulted in the ball sailing over the bar.

On 18 minutes Emley extended their lead and it was Kenworthy who again started the move. His turn and run found Matt Thornton on the overlap who lifted a curling cross to Flynn at the far post. His pass was deflected out to Maturine on the penalty spot; his side foot shot beat the dive of Kent to find the bottom right corner of the goal.

Emley were again fortunate not concede immediately after the restart, a Pontefract left wing corner was flashed across the goal mouth with the ball evading two desperate lunges of the home team attackers.

Pontefract were forced into an early change as the influential Handley was replaced by Ormsby.

Emley finished the half stuck in defence; Cyrus was impressive as was Sykes who was orchestrating the line. Duncan Bray found space in the box from a Pontefract right wing corner, Emley were relieved to see his header spin wide of the upright.

The second half started very much the same as the first half ended, with Pontefract making the most of the possession. Pontefract although, began to show their frustrations at the referee. Two players went into the referees book, first for a clumsy challenge on Kenworthy and then for an outward show of dissent. As the half progressed both teams were guilty of giving the ball away far too easily.

Emley’s best chance of the half came on 64 minutes, Anthony Haigh fed a delightful ball through the defence and Kemp came off his line diving at the feet of Flynn smothered the ball at the edge of the box.

Despite the concerted efforts of Pontefract who persisted with the easy on the eye passing football. They did not force Herriott in the Emley goal into any meaningful save during the half.

All in all this was a very tricky fixture for Emley, at a place where results have been hard to come by. A real team performance, managing to stifle a good Pontefract side. Leech had an excellent game in midfield; Kenworthy looked to be back at his best. Flynn was a real handful up front, but the man of the match amongst the visiting Emley supporters was Paul Sykes. His influence was apparent from start to finish, always in the right place at the right time.

Emley will look to consolidate when they entertain Selby Town on Tuesday evening (7-45 pm - 13.11.12). The Development squad progressed in the Rose Hill Cup beating Crofton Sports

on penalties after extra time. The game ended 1 apiece, Jack Portman scoring the Emley goal.

Emley: Herriott, Thornton, Sykes, Leech, Cooke, Cyrus, Joseph, Maturine (73, Jordan), Flynn (Ingham 81), Haigh (Riley 81), Kenworthy.
Subs (Not used) Banton, Schofield.

Emley Man of the Match – Sykes.

Emley Cautions: Joseph 81