It could be an eventful night, one that Emley hope will see them put away the memory of last seasons' heartbreaking defeat at the same stage at Dunston with The Pewits seeing their hopes ended with a stoppage time winner. This time, it's Emley who have home advantage thanks to our 6-0 demolition of Newton Aycliffe, coupled with Dunston's final day defeat to Pontefract.

The sides are well known to each other, this will be the 7th meeting in the last 2 seasons, 4 league games, 1 FA Trophy game and last season's play off semi final, neither side has a particularly good record away from home, Emley have won 2 and drawn 1 of the 3 games at The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, but have been defeated on all 4 visits to Dunston by an aggregate of 1-11.

Can Emley make home advantage count? Both sides saw the form book turned upside down on Saturday's final day of the regular season, Emley's win was our first win in the last 8 as we lost second place in the league table to Matlock, we were then in danger of losing third place to Dunston, who had won 7 out of their last 10 since losing at Emley in February.

This season has seen the wins once again go to the home side, Emley winning that February game by 3-0 and Dunston winning their home game 3-1 back in December, meaning Emley just about have the upper hand.

But that will all count for nothing on Tuesday as this is a pure knockout game, the winner gets to play in Saturday's play off final against either Matlock Town or Bradford (Park Avenue), should Matlock win the other semi final, then they will host the final, if they fall to defeat to Bradford, the winner of this game will host the final.

So Emley will be hoping that they can get their bit done and use their home advantage, and the backing of the fans to get them through first and foremost and then hope, again, that a West Yorkshire rival can do their bit to give Emley a home game in a potential final.

Dunston will be hurting no doubt, after overtaking Emley to get third place to then lose it again on the last day of the league season, they will be wanting revenge, it's all to play for under the Welfare Ground lights!

WHO ARE THEY?
Dunston UTS, founded in 1975 as Whickham Sports and previously known as Dunston Federation Brewery due to sponsorships, won promotion to the NPL after winning the Northern League in 2019 having previously competed in the Northern Amateur, Northern Combination and Wearside leagues.

Like many former Northern League clubs they were FA Vase winners in 2011-12 defeating yet another Northern League side, West Auckland Town in the final at Wembley, they also reached the FA Cup 4th qualifying round on 2 occasions, 2004 and 2019 and also the 3rd qualifying round of the trophy on 2 occasions and are nicknamed "The Fed".

LAST TIME WE MET:
28th February 2026, NPL D1 East
Emley 3-0 Dunston (Farrar 2, Thompson), Att- 466

LAST TIME OUT:
Emley 6-0 Newton Aycliffe (Heaton 2, Sorhaindo 2, Dawson, Turner), NPL D1 E, Att- 424
Dunston 1-2 Pontefract Collieries ( Robinson), NPL D1 E, Att- 493.

HEAD TO HEAD:
Previous 5 meetings:
2nd December 2025, NPL D1 E
Dunston 3-1 Emley (Johnson), Att-112

29th April 2025, NPL POSF
Dunston 1-0 Emley, Att- 903

1st March 2025, NPL D1 E
DUN 3-0 EML, Att- 288

26th October 2024, NPL D1 E
EML 2-2 DUN (Metcalfe, Barks) Att- 387

6th September 2024, FAT 1Q
EML 2-0 DUN (Berchil, Pashley) Att- 410/i]

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: D, L, L, D, W
DUN: W, W, W, W, L
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 3/22
DUN: 4/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 74
DUN: 95
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 43
DUN: 63
TOP SCORER:
EML: Bailey Thompson / Gabriel Johnson(10)
DUN:David Robinson/ Wil Shaw (12)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 422 (422 league)
DUN: 318 (307 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Tuesday 28th April 2026, 7.45pm
Gates open 6pm

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

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?

(ALL PAY- SEASON TICKETS NOT VALID!!)
£10 Adults
£8 Concessions
£1 ages 5-11
U5's FREE
Programmes £2

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

Please respect local residents and park safely and responsibly around the village!!