Emley fight off the Shaw Lane storm

Report by Richard Waterhouse.

Doran Jordan grabbed the winning goal on the 87th minute after the visitors were pinned into the area by the wind and the ever growing Emley pressure. Sylbert Stewart scored the home side’s two goals before hand, putting his name on the score sheet for the second week in a row.

Former Emley striker, Ashley Flynn, was sent off for Shaw Lane early in the second half for a second bookable offence when he dived in the penalty area. Flynn had scored both of his side’s goals in the first half.

The opener came after just seven minutes when he was laid up at the far post by Kane Reece on the edge of the six yard box where he flashed the ball across goal into the top left hand corner.

The lead was doubled just before the half hour mark when goalkeeper Jamie Green launched the ball into the box which was flicked into the path of Flynn who tapped the ball past Adam Lawlor to claim his 26th goal of the season.

Emley barely threatened in the first half. Jack Steers headed just over after a free kick was lofted in from the left by Josh Ingham. On the edge of half time, a similar free kick was curled in and this time Jordan was found in the area but he was unable to finish.

Darren Hepworth urged his players to put more pressure on the Division One leaders and they created early chances after the restart. On the 56th minute, Michael Tunnacliffe blazed a shot over the bar after the ball fell loose from a corner and top scorer, Alex Hallam had his chance blocked after good work from Jordan down the left hand side.

After the removal of Flynn, Shaw Lane also substituted ex Doncaster, Swansea and Bradford striker, Jason Price, who recently joined the club from Selby Town on Boxing Day.

Ryan Pleasants came on for the home side in replace of Antony Leech and played a vital part in the first goal as he raced through on goal before colliding with Green. The ball rolled to Stewart who placed the ball into an empty net on the 68th minute. Unfortunately, Pleasants was forced off with injury after being on the field for just ten minutes.

Stewart levelled the score 12 minutes later when he tucked the ball under the oncoming Green after a through ball from Tunnacliffe.

The blistering wind and rain overshadowed the final ten minutes as the visitors were penned into their half. Just moments from time, Jordan found space on the right as a chance from Stewart was pushed away only to find the midfielder ready to fizz the ball into the far corner.

Emley’s first win since before Christmas pushes them up 8th in the table.

Man of the Match: Josh Ingham