Flynn's late winner seals the points

The league’s leading striker had already netted a first half penalty to put his side back on level terms after Worsborough had taken early lead.

Bridge had the better of the early exchanges as they looked to record their 3rd victory over Emley this season and Adam Podmore tested Luke Herriott with a long range effort seconds after the kick off.

With Flynn off the field receiving a prolonged spell of treatment Emley only had 10 men on the field when the visitors took the lead in the 12th minute. Former Emley man Martyn Scully delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the box from a free kick to for Ryan Laight to power home a header past Herriott.

Soon after they had a great chance to double their lead as Lee Garside found himself in space 10 yards out but Herriott came off his line well and made an excellent block with his feet.

Emley fought their way back into things with Steven Kenworthy and Flynn causing problems for the visitor’s defence. Anthony Haigh went close twice with shots from the edge of the box but one flew over and the other was saved by James Jenkinson.

Flynn should have been awarded a penalty after being held by another ex-Emley man Andy Broadbent with the goal at his mercy. Two minutes later the referee Paul Tomes did award a spot kick as Flynn was again impeded by Broadbent. The in-form striker dispatched the kick confidently to level the scores on 35 minutes.

The visitors should have regained their lead in the final minute of the first half as Garside got the better of the Emley defence before pulling the ball back into the path of Podmore. His strike partner hit a well struck shot destined for the top corner put Paul Sykes popped up to head the ball of the line.

Emley came out in the second half a changed side and took the game to the visitors. Flynn appeared to have shaken off the knock he sustained in the early stages of the game and went close 3 times in 5 minutes. Soon after Laight was forced off with a strain for the visitors, a change which would help Emley’s cause as he had been excellent in the centre of defence up to that point.

Haigh had two decent efforts from outside the box and Liam Schofield saw a dipping 35 yard effort drop just over the bar as Emley peppered the Bridge goal. Jenkinson made a good low save from a Leech drive and Kenworthy headed over but despite their best efforts it looked like Emley wouldn’t find a way through.

Darren Hepworth brought on Doran Jordan and Brad Riley from the bench with quarter of an hour to go to keep up the intensity. The pair almost had an instant impact with Riley whipping in a testing cross from the touchline with Jordan inches away from converting it.

Jordan went close with a curling effort and Schofield had a free kick which looked destined for the top corner cleared by a Broadbent header. The visitors offered little in response with Garside firing high and wide and Anthony Lee shooting straight at Herriott.

Flynn finally made the breakthrough in the 90th minute and Riley had a huge part to play in it holding off the attentions of the Bridge defenders before delivering the ball right into the path of Flynn who blasted home his 34th goal of the season.

The result and particularly the second half performance sets Emley up nicely for their FA Vase 4th Round tie with Hadleigh United next Saturday. The biggest question for Darren Hepworth will be who to leave out of the starting line up with his squad showing such fine form at the moment.

Emley:
Herriott, Thornton, Schofield, Leech (Ingham 83), Sykes, Cooke, Joseph, Maturine (Riley 75), Flynn, Haigh, Kenworthy (Jordan 75). Sub (not used): Cyrus.

Worsborough Bridge:
Jenkinson, Atkinson, Roberts, Forgione, Laight (Turner 50), McFadyen, Scully (Lee 60), Broadbent, Podmore, Garside, White. Subs (not used): Morley, Hilton.

Cautions: White (27), Haigh 83. Attendance: 116
Man of the Match: Ashley Flynn.