Darren Hepworth was hit by the withdrawal of goalkeeper Luke Herriott through sickness on the morning of the game with Paul Day stepping up from the development squad. Injured pair Ashley Flyyn and Anthony Haigh were both named on the bench.

Despite the shuffled squad Emley started brightly but found themselves up against a well drilled Knaresborough side and on the receiving end of some full blooded challenges. Without the creativity of Haigh and goal threat of Flynn they found their chances limited. The build up play was promising enough but yielded few goalscoring opportunities.

Knaresborough created the more clear cut early chances with Day and Liam Schofield blocking efforts from Ashley Atkinson and Dave Thomas on the line in quick succession.

Jim Bradley almost caught Day out with a looping effort but the keeper recovered his ground and made a finger tip save. After a slightly nervy start Day grew into his role and showed some good handling.

After soaking up the pressure well Emley responded with a dominant period of their own. Steven Kenworthy connected well with his head on the end of Doran Jordan cross but was denied by a full stretch save by Jack Rushworth.

Then Brad Riley had a clear claim for a penalty waved away by the referee David Sullivan. Riley had skipped over two heavy lunges on the edge of the box before being felled by Knaresborough captain Paul Stansfield.

Seconds later Stansfield (who otherwise put in a dominant performance) looked to have turned a Kenworthy cross over his own line from close range. Once again Sullivan waved the Emley appeals away ruling that Rushworth had saved his skippers blushes.

Emley finally made their pressure tell as Liam Schofield delivered a perfect corner into the path of Paul Sykes, who powered home a solid header past Rushworth a minute before half time.

Knaresborough should have equalised minutes after the break as a defensive slip let in Steve Bromley. The frontman drove over with the goal at his mercy.

They were back on terms in the 52nd minute as Emley failed to clear a cross from Matt Donelly which ran right across the edge of the penalty area into the path of Byron Littlfair to drive home from 15 yards.

Emley were made to graft hard by the hosts but chances were at a premium. Hepworth introduced Flynn and Matt Thornton from the bench to inject a little more life into things but it was clear that Flynn was still struggling with injury.

Schofield who had again impressed at left also fell victim to a foot injury with 15 minutes to go following a terrific run at goal where he beat 4 men. With his substitution Emley’s hopes faded.

Soon after Craig Heard, a recent signing from Yorkshire Amateur settled the game for the visitors He scored his second goal past Emley this season with a well placed volley into the top corner giving Day no chance from the edge of the box.

After a good first half display Emley lost their way in the second 45’. As the game drew on they appeared more desperate to force a victory and opted for too many aerial balls which suited the physically stronger and taller opposition just fine.

Emley:
Day, Leech, Schofield (Cooke 75), Ingham, Cyrus, Sykes, Joseph, Jordan, Kenworthy, Riley (Flynn 62), Maturine (Thornton 62). Sub (not used): Haigh.

Knaresborough:
Rushworth, Atkinson, Thomas, Duerden, Stansfield, Bradley, Donnelly, Gray, Heard (McDaid 86), Bromley (Freeston 65), Littlefair.

Emley Caution: Matt Thornton (90). Attendance: 105.
Man of the Match: Liam Schofield.