Emley AFC have enjoyed an impressive start to their Northern Premier League campaign, but manager Richard Tracey is maintaining a balanced outlook as the club navigates through early highs and a growing injury list.

The Pewits began their home NPL season with a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Belper Town, overturning an early deficit. Tracey praised his team’s resilience in the face of Belper’s early pressure.

“We talked about how strong and organised Belper were, and for twenty minutes, they put us under real pressure," said Tracey. "They probably missed two or three good chances before going ahead. But I thought we reacted well, and after Luke Parkin’s equaliser, we quickly took the lead and never looked back.”

Berchil’s pinpoint assist to Parkin in the 36th minute leveled the score before Donae Lawrence capitalised on a rebound just before halftime to put Emley ahead. Tracey was especially pleased with how his side adapted to difficult conditions at their home ground, with a strong wind affecting play.

“The wind can be tough up here, but we handled it well. For thirty minutes in the second half, we played them off the park, and Luke Parkin’s goal from halfway was a brilliant way to finish the game.”

Following that victory, Emley continued their excellent form with a commanding 4-0 win away at Consett, keeping their unbeaten start intact. Goals from Amir Berchil, Sam Pashley (2), and Al Keita secured three points in County Durham. Tracey was full of praise for his team, especially for Pashley and Keita.

“We knew with the pace we had, we could cause them problems, and I’m delighted with how we took our chances. Sam Pashley and Alhassane Keita were excellent with their finishes.”

However, the momentum was interrupted by the unfortunate postponement of their Bank Holiday clash against Brighouse Town, when Brighouse goalkeeper Kyle Trennery suffered a serious injury after a collision. Fortunately, Trennery has since been discharged from the hospital, and the fixture will be replayed on September 17.

The real setback came in the FA Cup, where Emley’s unbeaten run came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Morpeth Town. Despite Morpeth ending the game with nine men, Emley couldn’t find an equaliser after conceding just before halftime. Tracey acknowledged his team’s shortcomings but remained positive.

“We probably let ourselves down in terms of quality in that FA Cup game," he admitted. "We couldn’t find the cutting edge, but we matched a team from a division above for long spells. We can hold our heads high.”

As Emley prepares for their FA Trophy clash against Dunston, Tracey faces a mounting injury crisis. Several key players, including Jack Cowgill, Adam Clayton, and Isaac Baldwin, are sidelined, leaving Emley with just 12 fit players for Friday’s match. Despite this, Tracey is optimistic, working to secure reinforcements and potentially calling up players from the under-23 squad.

“We’re in a tough spot with injuries, the worst since I arrived at the club," he explained. "But we’ve got a great physio team, and we’re working hard behind the scenes to bring in extra players. It’s an opportunity for some of the squad and under-23s to step up and prove themselves.”

Tracey also hinted at a potential dual registration agreement with Bury, which could bolster Emley’s squad depth in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, Tracey remains focused on Emley’s league campaign, where they currently sit third in the Northern Premier League Division One East with 10 points from four games. With a strong start behind them, Tracey is determined to keep his side pushing for promotion while managing the squad’s fitness.

“There’s no question the league is the priority, but we’d love a good cup run. It’s just about managing the players' long-term welfare and ensuring we’re competitive throughout the season.”

Emley now turn their attention to the FA Trophy tie against Dunston, hoping to extend their strong start to the season, despite the challenges ahead.