Emley welcome Stocksbridge Park Steels to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground for a Yorkshire derby on Tuesday (7.45pm) in what will only be the third ever league meeting between the sides and the first since the 1969-70 season.

In all, it's only the 10th competitive meeting between the teams, 6 of those have been in the Sheffield and Hallamshire cup, including a Hillsborough cup final in 1999.

The original game on boxing day was abandoned after 6 minutes due to thick fog covering the ground, Emley had just gone 1-0 up before the match was paused.

As well as a derby clash, it's also a clash of two of the surprise packages in the mix for a play off spot with both teams' expected to be around the other end of the table when the season kicked off, although Stocksbridge have slipped out of the play off race in the last few weeks.

Stocksbridge Park Steels were formed in 1986 through a merger of two local sides, Stocksbridge Works and Oxley Park Steels and were admitted to NCEL D2, after reorganisation, Steels were then placed in D1 for 1991-92 which they duly won, earning promotion to the Premier Division, they then won the Premier 2 years later but failed to gain promotion due to ground grading issues.

They eventually did win promotion to the NPL in 1996-97 where they have played since, including a spell in the NPL Premier between 2009-14, they are probably best known for giving Jamie Vardy a chance in the semi pro game after Vardy was released by Sheffield Wednesday.

In 2002, they set a new club record score, beating Oldham Town 17-1 in the FA Cup qualifiers with Paul Jackson netting ten of those!

Steels' form has hit a bit of a snag since the original fixture, they haven't won in five league games and have only scored once in that period, and have lost their last three without scoring.

Emley meanwhile, continue to push the leaders, another away win at Sherwood on Saturday maintained an excellent away league record, only 1 defeat and only 3 goals conceded on our travels, at home is a different matter though, although we are unbeaten in our last 7 games at home, winning 6 and drawing 1 in all competitions.

Saturday's win meant we are now 6 unbeaten in all competitions and only conceded twice in the league since our defeat at Cleethorpes in early December, a win for Emley, coupled with a Cleethorpes defeat would see the Pewits head into the weekend fixtures back on top of the league table.

The last competitive meeting between us was over a decade ago when Steels won a Sheffield cup quarter final tie at the Welfare Ground.

Last time out:
Sherwood Colliery 0-2 Emley (Dawson, Lawrence) Att- 168, NPL D1 East
Bradford PA 3-0 Stocksbridge PS, Att- 337, NPL D1 East

HEAD TO HEAD

(Previous meetings: last 5)
19th March 2013, SHSC QF
EML 1-2 SPS (L.Schofield) Att- 151

8th November 2011, SHSC 2
EML 2-5 SPS ( D.Wharam 2) Att- 126

4th December 2000, SHSC 2
EML 5-1 SPS (W.Nazha 2, S.Bambrook, A.Wilson

4th May 1999, SHSC F
EML 0-1 SPS (at Hillsborough) Att- 700

21st January 1998, NPL PC1
EML 2-0 SPS (G.Hurst, OG) Att- 238

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML:W, D, W, W, W
SPS: D, D, L, L, L
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 3/22
SPS: 9/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 57
SPS: 64
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML:20
SPS: 36
TOP SCORER:
EML: Amir Berchil (13)
SPS: Alexander Hardwick (11)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 400 (460 league)
SPS: 192 (209 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN?Tuesday 4th February, 7.45pm
Gates open 6.30pm

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

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?
FREE ENTRY TO ALL

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!