Emley complete an Ashton-under-Lyne double on Saturday when Ashton United make their first visit to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground since 1993 as we clash in the NPL Premier Division (3pm).

After hosting and beating the blue side of town in the shape of Curzon last Friday, it's now the turn of the red side of town, United, to try their luck, in what will be Ashton United's first ever league game at the Welfare Ground.

It will be only the 9th meeting overall between the sides and the first for 23 years, the last meeting was a 3-2 win for Emley, then known as Wakefield-Emley at Ashton in November 2003, the aforementioned 1993 meeting is the only previous one at the Welfare Ground, an FA Cup 2nd qualifying round clash which Emley won 2-0, the other 3 "home games" were played in Wakefield between 2001-03

That was of only 3 wins so far in the series for Emley, with Ashton winning 3 and there have been 2 draws so all pretty even between the clubs, Ashton have enjoyed a long run at this level, after first being promoted in 2003, they have twice climbed as high as National League North in 2005 and 2019 but came straight back down both times and are now in their 8th straight season in the NPL Premier.

Emley's 2-1 win at Leek on Tuesday was our second successive 2-1 win and our third game unbeaten which took us to 9th while Ashton's 2-0 win over Whitby Town saw them recover from their only defeat so far when they lost to Bamber Bridge last Saturday.

WHO ARE THEY?
Formed in 1908 as Hurst FC, they folded in 1892 and reformed in 1909, changing their name to their current name in 1946, they played in various regional leagues until 1982 when they became founder members of the NWCFL, they were relegated to Div 2 within 2 years but bounced back, eventually earning promotion to Div 1 of the NPL as champions in 1992, a further promotion in 2003 saw them play in the NPL Premier for the first time.

They twice reached the FA Cup 2nd round but that was way back in the 1880's, in more modern times, they reached the 1st round twice in the 1950's but not since, they reached the quarter final of the FA Trophy in 1997 and lost narrowly to Dagenham and Redbridge and they won the Manchester Premier Cup a record 23 occasions in their various guises.

They play at Hurst Cross and have played there since 1884, making it one of the oldest grounds in the world! and are nicknamed The Robins.

LAST TIME WE MET:
29th November 2003, NPL PREM
Ashton Utd 2-3 Emley (Kenworthy 2, Day), Att-166 * as Wakefield-Emley

LAST TIME OUT:
Leek Town 1-2 Emley (Haswell, Johnson), NPL Prem, Att- 502
Ashton Utd 2-0 Whitby Town (Hardy 2), NPL Prem, Att- 305.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous other meetings (last 5):
6th September 2003, NPL PREM
EML 1-2 ASH (Tonks), Att- 201 *( as Wakefield-Emley)

18th March 2003, NPL PRES.CUP SF
ASH 1-0 EML, Att- 182 *( as Wakefield-Emley)

15th October 2002, NPL PREM
ASH 2-2 EML (M.Wilson, Gomersal) Att- 185 *( as Wakefield-Emley)

3rd September 2002, NPL PREM
EML 1-1 ASH (Wood), Att- 308 *( as Wakefield-Emley)

10th December 2001, NPL CUP
EML 3-3 ASH (Coleano, A.Wilson, Norbury), Att- 174.

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: D, D, L, W, W
ASH: D, W, W, L, W
LEAGUE POSITION :
EML: 8/22
ASH: 5/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 5
ASH: 7
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 4
ASH: 2
TOP SCORER:
EML: 5 with 1
ASH: James Hardy (2)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 512 (512 league)
ASH: 357 (357 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Saturday 22nd August 2026, 3.00pm
Gates open 1pm

WHERE?
The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Off Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?

£12 Adults
£10 Concessions
£5 ages 11-16
£1 ages 5-10
U5's FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Cash or card on the gates

Programmes £2

ARE NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a lead - see visitor's guide for restrictions.

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:

Please respect local residents, businesses and streets by parking safely and responsibly around the village!
DO NOT block drives and paths and with Emley being on a bus route, please ensure you leave plenty of room for buses to get through and also to manoeuvre!!
If you have to, arrive earlier and/or park further away and walk to the ground rather than causing an obstruction.