Yorkshire Amateur 1-8 AFC Emley

The visitors were made to labour for the first 45 minutes by the Ammers who restricted Emley’s chances with a strong defensive display. The home ‘keeper Ben Danby made a good low save from an early Aaron Joseph effort before his side took the lead on 16 minutes.

Craig Heard was the scorer as he capitalised on some poor defensive work before dribbling past Emley keeper Luke Herriott who was out of position, then firing into the empty net.

Flynn put Emley back on level terms in the 21st minute racing onto a Doran Jordan through ball before showing excellent control to hold off the advances of two home defenders, then slotting past Danby from 15 yards out.

The home team rallied with Adam Shaw looking lively for them down the right flank, he made a brilliant jinking run through the Emley defence before laying off for Heard, but Herriott saved his shot well.

Brad Riley hit an ambitious effort off target for Emley before combining well with Josh Ingham to set up Anthony Haigh, but his effort went disappointingly wide. Other than this they had very little else to shout about.

The second half was a different matter altogether and Emley came out with a much greater sense of purpose. Haigh went close twice and Flynn 3 times including a chipped effort which clipped the post with Danby well beaten.

They final made the pressure count on 59 minutes as Haigh swept an excellent ball across the face of goal into the path of Flynn who stole in behind his marker to slot home.

Flynn then put the game out of sight 5 minutes later with his hat trick. A fine move which started with an excellent tackle by Joseph in his own half setting which unleashed Riley who drove into the penalty area, tormenting the home defenders before pulling the ball back unselfishly for Flynn who drove a powerful shot into the bottom left hand corner.

The league’s leading striker went close twice again with a speculative long ranger and then being denied by a last ditch challenge by Wayne Hudson following a good ball by Haigh.

Darren Hepworth refreshed the frontline with 20 minutes to go and the introduction of Steven Kenworthy and Levi Maturine for Riley and Jordan would prove a devastating change.

The fourth goal came on 76 minutes and it started with Ingham who rode two heavy challenges before releasing the ball to Haigh. Haigh advanced down the right before crossing to Kenworthy who took a touch with his chest then smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Two minutes later it was 5-1 and once again it came from a Haigh cross from the right hand side. Josh Cooke, who had just come on a substitute nodded the ball down to Kenworthy to force home despite the efforts of Danby.

Emley had yet another Haigh assist to thank for their 6th goal as he delivered an intelligent free kick into the feet of Kenworthy who with his back to goal turned but scuffed his shot. Maturine was close at hand however to stab in from close range.

Haigh claimed a well earned goal for Emley’s 7th on 85 minutes Maturine fed through a well timed ball into his path. His finish from the edge of the box was perfectly placed and even Danby at full stretch was powerless to keep it out.

Flynn wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute with his 4th of the game and 25th of the season. He raced onto Joseph through ball to go one on one with Danby who kicked at fresh air allowing him the simplest of tap-ins.

It was impossible to predict such a one sided scoreline at half time as the home team were certainly the better side at that stage. The second half was an entirely different matter as Emley showed what qualities they possess going forward. They now go into next Saturday’s clash with 4th placed Louth Town looking to keep this fine run of form going.

Emley:
Herriot, Leech, Schofield, Ingham, Sykes (Cooke 77), Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan (Maturine 77), Flynn, Haigh, Riley (Kenworthy 72).

Yorkshire Amateur:
Danby, Hurley (Carlisle 77), Hudson, Bolton, Dibb, Fishley, O’Reilly (Martley 39), Billali, Heard, Devoy, Shaw. Sub (not used): Noteman.

Emley Cautions: Schofield 39, Sykes 68. Emley man of the match: Anthony Haigh.