Emley welcome Ossett United to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday (3pm) as local pride and 3 points are up for grabs in the Northern Premier League Division One East in the first ever meeting between the sides at Emley.

Both clubs have experienced contrasting seasons so far, Emley in our first season at this level, have exceeded all expectations and currently sit third after leading the division early on in the season, while Ossett have struggled and find themselves scrapping at the bottom.

Emley have already beaten United this season, a 4-0 thumping at Ingfield which left Ossett rooted to the bottom of the table, in a surprise move, they then appointed Emley striker James Walshaw as manager, Walshaw has brought about an improvement, but they are still in deep relegation territory.

Ossett United are a result of a merger between the town's two sides, Ossett Town and Ossett Albion, the merger took place on June 1st 2018, despite both Ossett clubs being regulars in the NPL on their own steam and were initially successful, taking both Town and Albion's place in the NPL D1 East, they finished 5th and qualified for the 2018-19 NPL Play offs, losing out to Pontefract Collieries, they were then transferred to NPL D1 West where they struggled, finishing 3rd from bottom, then bottom during the pandemic seasons.

Transferred back to D1 East in 2021-22, they have finished 9th, 15th and 16th since, their best FA Cup performance was in 2019-20 where they lost to Colne in a 2nd qualifying round replay, they are nicknamed The Sheepicorns and play at Ingfield which was Ossett Town's home from 1957, in the centre of town.

Emley's visit to Ingfield saw a crowd of 771, their biggest by far this season, boosted by a considerable travelling support who saw Emley maintain their lead at the top of the league, although, we have since been overtaken by Belper and Cleethorpes, we are still right in the mix for a play off or even promotion push.

Ossett have improved under Walshaw, some impressive results include thumping wins over the top two have lifted them off the bottom, but he will know Emley will pose a threat to his side, Emley will be hoping to get one over on their former player.

Emley's draw last weekend with Bishop Auckland kept us on the toes of the top 2, this will be our 6th consecutive home game, including the abandoned boxing day game, remaining unbeaten at home in that period.

United's last outing was an impressive 3-0 win at league leaders Belper Town while Emley booked a place in the semi final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire senior cup with a 3-2 win over Barnsley's U21 side.

Last time out:
Emley 3-2 Barnsley U21 (Barks, Sorhaindo, Berchil) Att- 274, SHSC QF
Belper Town 0-3 Ossett Utd (Crosby 2, Stephens) Att- 513, NPL D1 East.

HEAD TO HEAD
Previous meeting:
12th October 2024 NPL D1 E
OSS 0-4 EML (L.Sorhaindo, A.Berchil, L.Parkin, A.Keita) Att- 771
(ALL COMPETITIONS)

CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML:D, L, W, W, W
OSS: L, W, L, D, W
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 3/22
OSS: 18/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML:54
OSS: 38
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 20
OSS: 56
TOP SCORER:
EML: Amir Berchil (14)
OSS: Eddie Church (8)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML:389 (448 league)
OSS: 325 (367 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Saturday 25th January 3.00pm
Gates open 1.00pm

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

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?
£8 Adults
£5 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 park responsibly around the village and respect local residents!