Before the match a minute’s silence was held for former Emley President Eric Moorhouse who passed away this week. He held the position at the original club from 1970 to 1983.

The game started at pace and the home side had the best of the early opportunities. After just 2 minutes, a Paul Sykes header was cleared off the line and Sam Jerome’s shot on the rebound couldn’t find its way beyond the clutch of Cleethorpes defenders.

Skyes was back in his usual defensive position soon after with two great saving tackles in quick succession to stifle the opposition forwards from progressing further.

Eight minutes in and AFC Emley had a deserved lead. Some good build up play led to Alex Hallam interchanging passes with a lively Liam Schofield before Hallam fired home from the edge of the box with the keeper rooted to his line.

Sam Jerome looked solid alongside Sykes in the heart of defence but, after being caught in possession and facing the wrong direction, he was saved by Michael Tunnacliffe mopping the loose ball.

Schofield was provider-turned-goal-scorer on 17 minutes. The ball broke to the right-winger on the byline who then took a pace or two back in field before firing a powerful speculative shot that the goalkeeper could not keep out at his near post.

While Schofield dominated the right side of midfield, Brighton Mugadza was running a close second on the left. A superb individual mazy run drew a decent save from Miles Fenty in the Cleethorpes net.

Save of the first half went to the home ‘keeper, Danny Armitage, a great lob from Nathan Emson was goal bound but Armitage clawed it back with one hand when he looked like he had already been beaten.

As the first half drew to a close, Schofield went close again with a central free kick. His shot floated just the wrong side of the post for Emley to leave the score 2-0 at the interval.

The Emley wing men started the second half as they ended the first. A sharp shot from Mugadza narrowly missed and a skilful first time volley from Schofield was just off target.

Emley frustrated their opponents as Cleethorpes were restricted to speculative shots by a resolute defence. Frustration boiled over with referee Jason Knowles brandishing yellows to Richard Forrest and Michael Steer for consistent fouling and subsequent protestations.

Another Liam screamed just past the post on 60 minutes and, in a repeat of his opposite numbers’ first half save, Cleethorpes ‘keeper Fenty saved well from Hallam. Another smart save saw sub Ruben Jerome have the ball grabbed from his toes by Fenty at the crucial second.

Despite all the chances, Emley were unable to secure a decisive third goal and the final 15 minutes saw the visitors became more of a cogent attacking force. Their hopes were dashed when a penalty shout was waved away and, again, when Marc Cooper had time to pick his spot for the finish but could only fire straight into Armitage’s midriff.

Attendance: 108

AFC Emley: Armitage, Leech, McIntosh (Brook, 73), Joseph, S Jerome, Sykes (capt), Tunnacliffe (Ingham, 48), Hallam, Crossfield, Mugadza, Schofield (R Jerome, 67)

Unused subs: Townend, Haigh

Goals: Hallam (8), Schofield (17)

Emley bookings: Joseph

Man of the Match: Liam Schofield