Emley rue missed chances… again.

Emley created numerous chances in the opening 30 minutes. Doran Jordan was the provider of most of them. On 5 minutes an accurate long ball on the left gave Alex Hallam the opportunity to cross but no-one in the on-rushing attack could make contact.

It was a similar story seconds later as Jordan’s corner saw bodies flying around the box but the crucial touch was not forthcoming and the ball bounced out for a goal kick.

Another smart cross from the winger put the Selby defence in trouble and nearly resulted in an own goal from the visitor’s centre-back.

Brighton Mugadza headed well over, Mark Crossfield poked wide, Aaron Joseph’s self-made opportunity was picked out of the air by ‘keeper Lee Kelsey and a Hallam shot was also saved by Kelsey low to his right.

Selby’s only response was speculative long balls forward and, of those that avoided the off-side trap, most were mopped up by Paul Sykes and Sam Jerome. That was until the 35th minute when a punt down the middle bounced kindly for Selby’s Louis Blackwall. One-on-one with Chris Senior, he chipped the Emley goalkeeper to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

The lead could have been doubled moments later but Senior saved well with his feet.

The Emley chances mounted again in the second half. Most notably, a cross-come-shot from Antony Leech was deflected wide by Crossfield then, almost mirroring the Selby goal, a Senior clearance went all the way through to Joseph but he blazed the shot wide. Other half-chances came and went – goalmouth scrambles and some good crosses and corners but no player in claret and blue could make any of them count.

Selby can also thank defender Mick Jones for stopping any further Emley progress, a solid physical presence throughout he won almost every header and tackle he was called on to make.

Emley pressed hard for the equaliser but the last chance of the game went to The Robins, who drew a brilliant double save from the Emley ‘keeper.

In stoppage time Senior even went up the field for two corners in quick succession but it was another blank for Emley.

AFC Emley: Chris Senior, Antony Leech, Liam Schofield, Michael Tunnacliffe (Josh Ingham, 80), Sam Jerome, Paul Sykes, Aaron Joseph, Doran Jordan, Mark Crossfield (Steven Kenworthy, 54), Brighton Mugadza (Jordan Townend, 71), Alex Hallam

Booked: Joseph (75)

Subs not used: Ruben Jerome, Ryan Brook

Attendance 87

Man of the match: Aaron Joseph