Emley win Boxing Day Derby

The win was Emley’s 8th consecutive victory on the road, a run that runs back to September and vital to their promotion hopes.

With key midfielder Anthony Haigh injured, Emley manager Darren Hepworth brought Josh Cooke and Doran Jordan back into the starting line-up. Captain Paul Sykes moved to left back with Liam Schofield on the substitutes bench.

There was some doubt about the fixture taking place in the run up to the game after some heavy rainfall in the run up to Christmas and whilst the pitch appeared to be in good condition at first glance it cut up badly through the centre as the game went on.

Hemsworth dealt with the conditions better in the opening stages with their young strikeforce of Iwan Hanley-Heeley and Will Kemp causing problems for the Emley defence. Kemp flicked on a free kick from a sharp angle but his header flew across the face of goal.

Hanley-Heeley, who had a brief spell with Emley two seasons ago, hit a powerful free kick from range which brought a routine save from Luke Herriott. He then drove across the goalmouth following an excellent break and run from the half way line.

There was 15 minutes on the clock before Emley had a chance of note, Doran Jordan curled an effort in from long range but Andy Joburns in the Hemsworth goal dealt with it comfortably.

Emley got little out of the disciplined centre half pairing of Sam Varley and Andrew Hart until Hart inadvertently flicked on a long clearance by Herriott. Ash Flynn ran onto the ball before pulling it back into the path of Steven Kenworthy with his blocked shot running clear to Jordan who fired over the bar.

There was certainly a sense that Emley were starting to impose some dominance on the game as thehalf progressed and Hemsworth had Joburns to thank for making two good saves at the feet of Flynn and Jordan from similar tight angles.

Joburns was again their saviour in the final minute of the half tipping the ball round the post as the impressive Josh Ingham carved his way through from midfield before unleashing a low drive from the edge of the box.

Emley continued in a similar vein in the second half and Flynn curled a free kick round the Hemsworth wall into path of Kenworthy who’s stooping header was saved by Joburns. Then Levi Maturine got round the back of the defence to deliver an excellent ball to Flynn who volleyed over from 12 yards out.

In a frantic spell of play Joburns frustrated Emley again, blocking smartly from Kenworthy after a neat through ball by Flynn. Maturine followed up playing the ball back to Kenworthy who this time saw his effort blocked on the line by Hart before Flynn fired the rebound over the bar.

The visitors finally got their chance to make the breakthrough in the 68th minute as Cameron Clarke impeded Flynn in the penalty area, a decision that incensed the Hemsworth side and earned the left back a yellow card. After a long delay Flynn stood up and tucked the spot kick away confidently sending Joburns the wrong way and finding the bottom corner of the net.

From this point Hemsworth lost their discipline with 5 of their players finding their way into referee Darren Hawkins notebook in the final 22 minutes of the game. 3 Emley men were also booked in a game which was generally played in a good spirit.

Neither side particularly threatening their opponents goal in the final stages, Emley saw out the game with disciplined defending and hard work. Their fitness in the final certainly appeared to be a key factor. With the fresh legs of Brad Riley and the welcome return of Matt Thornton from the bench the final result never really looked in doubt.

The win elevates Emley to 4th in the table following defeats for promotion rivals Knaresborough and Louth. Leaders Athersley were held by neighbours Worsborough , with Teversal and Shirebrook drawing the Mansfield derby meaning that Emley were the only side in the top 8 to win their game.

Emley:
Herriott, Leech, Sykes, Ingham, Cyrus, Cooke, Joseph, Jordan (Thornton 78), Flynn, Kenworthy, Maturine (Riley 78). Subs (not used): Schofield, Roberts, McIntosh.

Hemsworth:
Joburns, Stor, Clark, Lindley, Varley, Hunt, Conway (Pugh 75), Dawson, Hanley-Heeley, Kemp, Haywood (Sawden 90). Sub (not used): Green.

Cautions:
Emley: Cyrus (55), Ingham (70), Joseph (84).
Hemsworth: Clark (68), Dawson (69), Haywood (85), Hunt (86), Lindley (90).

Emley Goal: Flynn (68 mins – pen).
Man of the match: Josh Ingham (Emley). Att: 123.