AFC Emley made to rue missed chances

Report by Scott Taylor.

Emley will think of it as two points dropped rather than one won however. Alex Hallam put the home side ahead just 8 minutes into the game after Michael Tunnacliffe played the winger through who calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Clipstone keeper scoring his twelfth goal of the season.

Emley had multiple chances to extend the lead during the first half, the goalscorer had a chance on the half hour mark when the wind played havoc in the box allowing the ball to fall to Hallam only for him to volley just wide.

Captain Sykes and Sam Jerome were staying strong at the back and it took 30 minutes for Clipstone to have their first real chance, Jamie Brown cut in onto his right foot and fired a powerful shot which was well held by Adam Lawlor.

Emley were on top and once again it could've been two when Josh Ingham fired just wide from 18 yards leaving the keeper scrambling. Hallam again could have doubled his tally, striking the ball on the half volley just wide of the left hand post from Doran Jordan's cross.

Just before the break, and against the run of play, Clipstone equalised. The wind once again caused a problem in the area deceiving Antony Leach and allowing Jamie Brown in to slot the ball past Lawlor who had a quiet first half.

When the teams emerged for the second half the weather had worsened as the wind became stronger and the rain began to pour. Emley started the half on the front foot but the first chance fell to Clipstone striker Kieran Watson who brought down the high ball flicked it over Sykes' head and slotted the ball through Lawlor's legs to make it 2-1 to the away side.

Emley went back on the offensive but just could not find the pass to unlock the Clipstone defence. As Emley pushed forward they left themselves more vulnerable at the back, a rare mistake from Sykes let Watson in once again, he passed the ball past Lawlor, but he could only find the post, the ball rolled across the line but Sykes made it back and cleared the ball before it crossed keeping the score at 2-1.

In the dying seconds Emley got what they deserved. The ball broke to Ryan Pleasants who took one touch before curling the ball over the Clipstone keeper into the top corner sending the Emley faithful in raptures. Seconds later the whistle was blown and the game finished 2-2.