Coming on the back of 3 successive defeats, Saturday’s encounter in deepest Nottingshamshire against Clipstone Welfare gave AFC Emley a chance to get things back on track in the BARIS Northern Countiest East League Division 1 promotion race. Despite several contentious refereeing decisions affecting both sides, the outcome, however achieved, was enough to send manager Darren Hepworth and the travelling Emley faithfull home satisfied if not exactly 'over the moon.'

Having suffered what appeared to be a major injury setback with the withdrawal of Anthony Haigh who had been carrying a back injury, Hepworth played his joker with the surprise inclusion of 41 year old “Willie” Wilson making his debut in the number 10 shirt. The veteran midfielder was to have a major controlling influence, releasing Aaron Joseph and Josh Ingham to pressure the opposition midfield as both teams started the game as if their lives depended on it. The Emley manager was also force into a change between the sticks due to the unavailability of first choice keeper Luke Herriot with young reserve stopper Paul Day being called into action for the second week running.

From the kick-off AFC Emley produced some delightful football throughout the first half with the sublime touches of Steven Kenworthy in attack showing the 29 year old to be back to his best following his injury hit 2011/12 season. Emley persistantly pressured the Clipstone defence and were denied two stonewall penalties as first Brad Riley, starting in place of the injured Ashley Flynn, was up-ended in the box during one of his customary “strictly come dribbling” runs through the opposing defence, then a Clipstone defender decided to get “up close and personal” with Kenworthy bringing the Emley striker to the ground with a move that would not have been out of place in the WWE.

On 31 mins the visitors got their just desserts, being awarded a corner on the left following a last ditch saving tackle from Clipstone's Rob Paling. A quality delivery met the head of John Cyrus who guided the ball into the back of the net to give Emley a deserved 1-nil lead.

The game should have been all but put-to-bed when Doran jordan slid a superb low cross in from the Emley right but the ball rolled right across the face of the open goal wothout an Emley attacker being on hand to provide the finishing touch.

Emley continued to dominate but on 43 mins a defensive slip left home striker Pete Stubley on the edge of the box with only one defender and the goalkeeper to beat. Despite some spirited defending notabley by Day and Emley skiper Paul Sykes, the ball squeezed past the near post for a somewhat fortuetous equaliser.

The second half was like ten minute possession, ten minute defending for both sides. Both threatening but with no real impact in the final third. The first real incident coming on 57 minutes with the booking of Emley full-back Matt Thornton for what, only the referee knows.

In an effort to inject a more direct attack, Hepworth decided to introduce pacey winger Curtis Roberts at the expense of Riley on 65 minutes, followed two minutes later by the double substitution of Josh Cooke and the league's top-scorer Ash Flynn for man-of-the-match Wilson and Kenworthy, Cooke dropping into the back four, pushing Cyrus forward into midfield.

A big let-off for Emley caane on 80 mins when Stubleylatched on to a through ball and beat one defender to find himself in a 50/50 challenge with Day. He seemed to have won the challenge fairly and slotted the ball into an empty net. The referee blew for a foul on the keeper just before the ball crossed the goal line bringing a huge sigh of relief for the Emley management.

Three minutes Emley broke forward on the right but with no real pace. Another decent cross onto the penalty spot found the head of Clipstone defender Brandon Shaw . The pace on the ball left the home keeper with no chance as the ball looped in for what proved to be the winning goal.

Chances fell to both sides right until the referee blew full time but at the final whistle it was a relieved AFC Emley who left with the three points to stay in 7th place hot on the heels of the promotion chasers with games in hand.

Speaking after the game manager Darren Hepworth said: 'This was an ugly but vital 3 points today. The lads were teriffic and worked hard and deserved the win. We have to push on starting with home games next Saturday at home to Teversal then on Tuesday with the visit of Dinnington Town.

Match Facts:

AFC EMLEY
Day, Leech, Thornton, Ingham, Sykes, Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan, Kenworthy (Flynn, 67min), Wilson (Cooke, 67min), Riley (Roberts, 65min)

Scorers:
Cyrus (31min), o/g (80min)

Caution:
Thornton (57min)

Attendance:
73