Emley AFC produced a strong all-round performance to secure a deserved 3–1 away victory at Consett, continuing their push towards the top end of the table.

Reflecting on the challenge, manager Richard Tracey highlighted the difficulty of the task his side faced in the North East: “Consett is always a really difficult place to go. It was a cold day up in the North East and the 3G surface there isn’t the highest quality anymore, so it makes it tough to play your football. They were unbeaten in eight games, so we knew we were coming up against a side in good form and that it was going to be a real test for us.”

Emley set the tone from the outset and could have been out of sight early on: “I thought we started the game really well. We won a corner inside the first 30 seconds and created a chance from that, and I felt that immediately set the tone. We were on the front foot, we were positive, and we got the early goal which was important for us.”

“For the first 20 minutes I thought we were really dangerous and looked like we could score again. Gabby had one cleared off the line and then had a one-on-one saved by the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm, so on another day we could easily have been two or three goals up.”

As Consett worked their way back into the contest, Tracey felt his side briefly lost momentum: “As the game went on, I felt we just went a little bit passive. We stopped being as progressive as we had been and didn’t ask quite enough questions of them, which allowed them to get a foothold in the game.

“They had a good spell for about 10 minutes and the goal we conceded was disappointing because it came from a mistake from us rather than anything they did particularly well. That’s always frustrating, especially when you feel you’ve been in control.”

At the break, Emley regrouped and adjusted their approach: “At half-time it was 1–1 and we’d gone from playing with the wind to playing into it. We’re used to that at Emley and we spoke about it in the dressing room, about how we wanted to approach the second half.

“We were also very clear about needing to be a bit more direct at times and everyone understood what was required of them. I thought the lads took that on board really well.”

The second half saw Emley reassert themselves, creating a host of chances: “In the second half I thought we were excellent. We really could have scored more goals. On his full debut, Kurtis Turner could easily have had a couple, we missed a penalty, and we had other opportunities that we didn’t quite take.”

Despite those misses, Tracey was delighted with the outcome and the spread of contributions: “To come away with a 3–1 win at Consett, against a side who were in such good form, we were absolutely delighted. It was also pleasing to have three different goalscorers on the scoresheet.”

Manasse Mampala’s influence was another positive, particularly in winning a penalty: “You want everyone contributing. It was really good for Manasse to win the penalty and then have the confidence to step up and take it. He probably feels he needs a goal at the minute because it’s been a few games since he last scored, so that will do him the world of good.”

Tracey also praised contributions from across the pitch: “It’s also pleasing to see Bailey and then Barks and Ellis, who are two of our central defenders, getting themselves on the scoresheet. That says a lot about the group we have and the way everyone contributes.”

Looking ahead, the Emley boss is keen to maintain momentum, particularly at home: “We’ve got a really good set of lads here and we work hard collectively to try and get results. At the minute things seem to be going our way more often than not, but we can’t get carried away.”

“Every time we step onto the pitch we have to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to pick up three points, because that’s the only way we’re going to stay where we want to be.”
With a local derby next up, Tracey knows the challenge will be significant.

“Brighouse will be another tough game. They caused us problems earlier in the season and we know how competitive they can be. We’re in good form at home and that’s something we need to continue.”

“It’s a local Yorkshire derby and you’d expect them to bring a good following. Hopefully we can get a strong crowd in, the weather behaves itself, and we can put on a good game of football.”