Emley show character in comeback after gifting lead

...it was their own defensive frailties that gifted Dronfield the lead on both occasions.

Emley had an early warning with two early corners for the hosts causing mayhem in the box. It was Richie Marples who put the hosts ahead for the first time – getting in behind an Emley defence caught on their heels.

Suitably chastened Emley quickly got a grip of the game with Alex Hallam and Doran Jordan going close. Jordan drawing an excellent save from goalkeeper Nick Siddons – not the last time he would be called upon.

Twenty minutes gone and Emley’s debutant Sylbert Stewart started to cause problems for the opponents. Under pressure from his marker, Stewart got a reasonable shot away but was severely hampered by a challenge that both he and fellow Emley players felt was unfair. What would have been a penalty was waved away by referee Ashley Royston.

Emley continued to try and play themselves back into the game but, ironically, it was a ‘big boot’ clearance that brought the next opportunity. The Dronfield centre back let the ball bounce and any touch from Hallam would have resulted in a goal but he just couldn’t get anything on it.

Brighton Mugadza’s running and close control brought Emley’s next chance but his well-worked cross flew just past the on-rushing Aaron Joseph.

Having survived a mini-onslaught, Dronfield pushed back on the attack. On 24 minutes a long shot was defelected wide. From the resulting corner, Ben Kistell’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked but Emley couldn’t clear. Seconds later the ball was in the net for the hosts but the referee had already awarded a free-kick in their favour.

Dronfield had chances to extend their lead from the free-kick and further crosses and corners. With the feeling that Emley were hanging on, the ball broke to Jordan in the Emley midfield. Good play through the midfield put Hallam through and the striker made no mistake to pull the visitor’s level.

Minutes later the good work was undone. When he could have knocked the ball out for a corner, captain Paul Sykes inexplicably tried to play out of trouble from the Emley byline. Already under pressure, the ball landed at the feet of Nick Horsfield who smashed home from point-blank range to make it 2-1 to Dronfield at half-time.

The opening to the second-half was a scrappy affair, with Emley’s young striker Stewart having the only notable opportunity – showing good strength with his back to goal but blazing over the bar.

That was his last contribution before being replaced by Steven Kenworthy continuing his recovery back from injury.

The game became increasingly stretched with Emley just edging the best of the possession. Moments later, with Mugadza’s footwork dazzling the Dronfield defence the referee pointed to the spot when he was unfairly challenged before he was able to unleash a shot.

As ever, captain Sykes stepped up to slot home from 12 yards to the goalkeeper’s right and, in doing so, atoning for his first half mistake.

Emley had the wind and the momentum with them as they pushed for all three points. On 32 minutes Antony Leech’s excellent cross was met well by Kenworthy but his header went agonisingly over.

Jordan Townend replaced Doran Jordan soon after the hard working winger could have given Emley the lead for the first time but Dronfield can thank ‘keeper Siddons for an excellent save.

Hallam slice a shot wide, a Schofield free-kick was well saved and a Sam Jerome header from the resulting corner showed how Emley pressed and pressed but to no avail.

A virtual spectator for the final third of the match, there was a heart-stopping moment for Emley goalkeeper Danny Armitage. He left a long distance effort go thinking it was sailing over only for it to scrape the top of the bar – much to his relief.

Emley could even have nicked the win in stoppage time with half-chances from Hallam and Kenworthy but it finished level. Dronfield pleased with the point, Emley glad to have rescued something but unhappy it was from their own errors and they could have pushed on to take the win.

Emley: Armitage, Leech, Schofield, Tunnacliffe, Jerome S, Sykes (c), Joseph, Jordan (Townend, 81), Stewart (Kenworthy, 64), Mugadza, Hallam

Subs not used: Steers, McIntosh

Goals: Hallam (32), Sykes (Pen, 74)

Attendance: 56

Man of the match: Michael Tunnacliffe