Emley held to 2-2 draw following Louth Fightback

The result means that Emley stay 5th in the table with Louth one place and one point above them.
Emley started with a devastating opening spell forcing two good saves from the visiting keeper Ian McTaggert before he fouled Levi Maturine in the box.

Anthony Haigh stepped up to put away the resulting spot kick to give Emley the lead on 5 minutes, his 15th goal of the season.

Josh Ingham doubled the lead on 8 minutes, turning his marker before fining the back of the net with a confident strike from the edge of the box.

Leading scorer Ashley Flynn might have made it 3-0 breaking clear to go one on one with McTaggert but opted for power rather than precision and fired just wide.

Louth battled their way back into the game causing their biggest threat from set pieces. They pulled a goal back on 35 minutes as Emley failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Andrew Willoughby to finish from 10 yards out.

In the second half Louth adopted a more direct approach, looking to bypass the midfield with some long balls over the top to their own leading striker Matt Kennedy.

They scored an equaliser with 15 minutes to go as Callum Hyland headed home a deep cross at the far post.

Josh Cooke rattled the woodwork for Emley with a well struck shot from just inside the box as the clock ran down but the home team were made to settle for a share of the spoils.

After the game Emley manager Darren Hepworth was frustrated by his side’s inability to take their chances and kill of the game remains confident in his side’s abilities.

“We were superb in the early part of the game but were up against a side who I still feel are the best that we have faced in the league this season.”

“Whilst I’m disappointed we didn’t take all 3 points we are still well placed amongst the leading pack of teams and I’m delighted with the squad of players that we have assembled here at Emley.

“We are strong in all departments, with strong competition for places in every position. We have players who can create chances and put them away. In midfield we have the right blend of both tenacity and creativity. This is all underpinned by some excellent defensive players and a solid goalkeeper.”

The result extends Emley’s unbeaten run to 6 games, their next test is the big FA Vase 3rd round tie at NWCL Premier side Barnoldswick Town on Saturday.

Emley:
Herriott, Leech, Sykes, Ingham, Cooke, Cyrus, Joseph, Maturine (Jordan 70), Flynn (Riley 80), Haigh, Kenworthy.

Subs (not used): Schofield, Irving. Att: 85.
Emley man of the Match: Josh Ingham.