Emley welcome local rivals Ossett United to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on New Year's Day for a West Yorkshire Derby in the Northern Premier League Division One East (3pm).

Emley are still second in the league table following the Boxing Day defeat at Garforth, a defeat which was our first in 4 games and ended a run of 3 clean sheets, only our second defeat of the season, both came this month!

Ossett actually did Emley a favour on Boxing Day, posting an impressive 3-0 win over Matlock Town that kept us second, that win was Ossett's second in succession and have come off the back of 5 without a win. Those wins have moved United out of the immediate relegation tussle and they now sit 14th.

Emley did a league double over Ossett last season, dispatching them 4-0 at Ingfield and 1-0 at Emley, in what are the only previous two meetings between the sides, not long after that 4-0 win at Ossett, Emley's fan favourite striker James Walshaw went to manage Ossett so there is an extra bit of spice to the derby clash.

Emley will look to keep our good, recent home form up, we have won our last 4 and not conceded in those last 4 games at home, "Wally" and his Ossett boys will want to put a stop to that!

WHO ARE THEY?
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 Ramicorns or Sheepicorns and play at Ingfield which was Ossett Town's home from 1957, in the centre of town.

LAST TIME WE MET:
25th January 2025, NPL D1 E
EML 1-0 OSS (Clayton) Att- 602

LAST TIME OUT:
Garforth Town 1-0 Emley, NPL D1 E, Att-802
Ossett Utd 3-0 Matlock Town (Thomas 2, Crook) Att- 543.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous other meeting:
12th October 2024, NPL D1 E
OSS 0-4 EML (Parkin, Berchill, Keita, Sorhaindo, Att- 771

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: L, W, W, W, L
OSS: L, L, L, W, W
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
OSS: 16/22
EML: 2/22
GOALS SCORED:
OSS: 32
EML: 39
GOALS CONCEDED:
OSS: 38
EML: 28
TOP SCORER:
OSS: Jack Crook (10)
EML: Manasse Mampala (7)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
OSS: 307 (316 league)
EML: 371 (371 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Thursday 1st January 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

Access to the ground
Due to roadworks on Upper Lane, if you are approaching the ground by car from Wakefield, please follow the diversion once you enter Emley. The route goes via Glebe Close and School Lane, with access to the ground from Church Street.

Due to limited parking caused by the road closure, please park with care and respect local residents.

OWW MUCH?
£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