Emley AFC manager Richard Tracey believes his side are continuing to show they belong at Northern Premier League Premier Division level as the Pewits prepare for two tough fixtures over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Emley head to Warrington Town on Saturday before returning to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Bank Holiday Monday for a West Yorkshire derby against Guiseley.

The two fixtures follow back-to-back draws against Ashton United and Redcar Athletic, which have extended Emley’s unbeaten run to four matches.

The Pewits had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Ashton United at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground last Saturday. After a goalless first half, Emley went close when Diego De Girolamo struck the crossbar before Ashton immediately broke forward and took the lead through Kurt Willoughby in the 59th minute.

Emley’s response was almost immediate, with De Girolamo finding the net four minutes later to earn the Pewits a point.

Tracey felt his side could have taken even more from the contest.
He said: “I was a little bit disappointed in the draw and thought we could have got more from it definitely. We managed to get the ball in the net for a disallowed goal which was called offside. Then in the second half Ashton went down the other end and scored and when it went in I just thought it wasn’t going to be our day.

“However what was really pleasing was the way we reacted and showed great character to get back into the game so quickly. I thought overall we could have got more out of the match but a point is still a point which we took into the Redcar game.”

Emley followed that result with a tough Tuesday night trip to Redcar Athletic, where a battling defensive performance secured a goalless draw.
The Pewits had opportunities of their own, with Alex Kiwomya going close during the first half, while Ben Bottomley and the Emley defence had to withstand periods of pressure from the hosts.
Redcar struck the post during the second half, while Reno Ejupi was denied at the other end as both sides pushed for a winner.

The result maintained Emley’s unbeaten away record since promotion and also continued an impressive record against Redcar, who have now failed to score against the Pewits across three meetings.

Tracey said: “We know what a good side Redcar are, we saw that last season and they have definitely strengthened since then. We knew going up there on a Tuesday night would be tough. However the lads dug deep and did create some chances to score. I was pleased with the draw in the end against a tough opponent.”

Attention now turns to Saturday’s trip to Warrington Town, with the Pewits travelling to the GXO Stadium for a 3pm kick-off. Warrington have made a strong start to the campaign, winning four of their opening six league fixtures and sitting fourth in the early table heading into the weekend. The Yellows were playing in National League North as recently as the 2024/25 campaign and Tracey knows the size of the challenge awaiting his newly promoted side.
However, the Emley boss says fixtures against clubs of Warrington’s stature are exactly what the club worked so hard to experience.

He said: “Warrington will be a very tough game. They are a big team in this division and a big club in non-league in general so it'll be a big test for us. However these are the sort of games we wanted to play in when we came up. We'll go there and really make it hard for them.”

Emley also have history on their side. The clubs have met four times previously and the Pewits have never lost the fixture, recording three victories and one draw. Their last meeting came more than 35 years ago, when Emley recorded a 4-1 victory in Northern Premier League Division One in January 1991.

There will be little time to recover from Saturday’s encounter, with Guiseley heading to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Bank Holiday Monday.
The fixture is Emley’s only West Yorkshire derby of the league season and Tracey is hoping supporters turn out in numbers for what promises to be a special occasion. There is also a personal connection for the Emley boss, who knows members of the Guiseley management team from his own playing days.

Tracey said: “As for Guiseley on Bank Holiday Monday, it's our only West Yorkshire derby this season so we are hoping for a big crowd. Again they are a huge name in non-league as we were twenty years ago. So just like how they are trying to climb back up the ladder to where they want to be, so are we and we've already been on a huge journey already. I know their management team well. They used to be teammates of mine when I was playing so we know each other well. I am looking forward to the fixture.”

Tracey has also provided an update on his squad, with several players heading out to get valuable game time.
Joe Clegg and Carlos Rodrigues have joined Horbury to get minutes under their belts, while Adam Porritt has also headed out to build up his match sharpness.

Tracey believes Emley’s relationships with clubs across the local non-league scene are particularly important now the Pewits are competing at Step 3.
He said: “Joe Clegg and Carlos Rodrigues have gone to Horbury to get minutes under their belts, while Adam Porritt has also gone out to get minutes too. What we see at this level is that you have to be sharp to play at your best. You have to be at your top level or you'll get found out. It's great that we have a good relationship with so many local clubs that can give our lads minutes to play to keep getting sharper, they then can come into our match squad ready to go.”

One player who has left the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground is defender Isaac Baldwin, who has joined local rivals Liversedge in search of more regular football. Baldwin has been part of Emley’s journey over recent seasons and Tracey paid tribute to his contribution both on and off the pitch.

The Emley boss also confirmed the club remain interested in strengthening their midfield options, although they will not rush into making a signing.

Tracey added: “Isaac Baldwin has decided to leave the club and join Liversedge where I believe he'll get more minutes and play more regularly. He'll be a miss for us as he's a great character in the dressing room and has done well for us over the last few years, we all wish him well. We are pretty stacked in that area and so have plenty of cover. However we are still on the lookout for that central midfield area, but we'll only do something if it makes sense.”

Emley travel to Warrington Town on Saturday 29 August, kick-off 3pm, before welcoming Guiseley to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Bank Holiday Monday.