Emley 2-1 Stocksbridge Park Steels

Emley notched up their second pre-season win in a week with a very good and hard fought win over a decent Stocksbridge Park Steels side in an entertaining warm up game at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Friday evening.

Although the win was a boost for Emley, the manner of it was even more pleasing, Emley were outclassed and outplayed for a good 30-35 minutes of the first half, but Steels couldn't find the goal that their dominance ought to have brought them.

Instead, Emley were the ones who seemed to be spurred on by the missed chances and despite a late goal for the visitors,they appeared comfortable at times in the last 30 minutes, a total contrast to the first 30.

Stocksbridge were very quick out of the blocks and attacking Emley at will within the first few minutes, a couple of shots and a header that was saved, all came along fairly quickly, before a good move down their right found the striker in space but he blasted his shot over the shed roof into the rejuvenated car park!

Barely 15 minutes gone and yet more raids from the visitors and yet more shots flying wide and high and not so handsome, Emley's defence having to work overtime, not being able to get wing backs Cranswick or Charlton forward at all.

The Pewits did finally manage an effort on goal late into the half, but the returning Antony Leech's header was saved low down.

Emley had to withstand more pressure as Steels again attacked both flanks and worked some good stuff down the middle too, a good save to his left from Kelly before they finally found the net, however to their dismay the ball had been ruled to have already gone out for a goal kick.

Emley were relieved and looked determined, Jimmy Eyles started to get on the ball, work space and generally create a bit of havoc inside the opposition half, and he had Emley's best 2 chances of the half, a fizzing shot from the right side of the area went wide and then a nice chipped shot went over.

Emley had the last real chance of the first half when Alex Metcalfe fired a free kick against the wall, the rebound was struck wide, but they were no doubt pleased to get to half time without conceding.

H/T- EMLEY 0-0 STOCKSBRIDGE.

The second half was a complete reversal of the first, with Emley coming out on the front foot and Steels on the retreat, within a couple of minutes of the restart, one of many Emley free kicks went narrowly wide as the visitors' frustrations got the better of them at times.

Eyles was in the thick of the action again, firing a close range effort which was blocked by a posse of defenders, before the follow up shot was also dealt with by a mass of yellow and blue bodies.

Stocksbridge were still a danger though and almost took the lead with a glancing header from a corner but luckily for Emley it went wide.

Emley were probing and gaining confidence, Charlton and Cranswick were now finding space down the flanks, Leech was pulling the strings in midfield and Eyles, as always, working tirelessly up front.

It was from a quick counter attack that found Eyles deep inside Stocksbridge territory, he managed to evade a couple of defenders but unfortunately put his shot wide.

Emley were now well on top, Stocksbridge resorted to petty fouls to break up play on a few occasions, but Emley were in the mood, it was from another niggly foul that led to the first goal, Emley were awarded a free kick slightly to the left of the area and ALEX METCALFE fired it in directly, beating the keeper low down at his near post just past the hour.

Emley made changes and brought on academy graduates Jack Bennett and George Doyle up front, and they wasted no time in introducing themselves to the Steels defence, Bennett worked space for a shot that followed the earlier effort into the car park and Doyle and Cranswick combined superbly in and around the box, but Cranswick's shot was pulled wide.

Steels had been unable to get much momentum going forward at all but they did manage a couple of attacks, one of which saw a header flash wide of the far post.

But Emley were still looking the stronger and more likely to score at this point, Seb Carole outwitted the defence and worked well with Callum Charlton for a good position for a shot, but he couldn't direct it on target.

Steels had a dangerous free kick just outside the area as Emley were caught out at the back, luckily, the shot strayed wide and Emley's goal was still intact and the visitors' frustrations at not finding the net was becoming more obvious.

Steels would regret that miss 2 minutes later as a brilliant move wrapped the game up for the Pewits, great work on the right by Haydock and Cranswick sent JACK BENNETT through after he outfoxed the defence, the young striker took a couple of touches before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to shouts of anguish from the visitors defenders but cheers of delight from the Emley contingent!

With only a couple of minutes remaining it was just a case of seeing the game out and posting a good win and a clean sheet for Emley, sadly, that wasn't to be as Steels managed a last minute consolation, when a free kick from just outside the area found it's way in.

But Emley held on and got their win, probably just about deserved on their determination and efforts after being second best for so long in that first half.

But Stocksbridge deserve credit too for making it an entertaining game, they may feel they should have at least a couple of goals in that first half an hour, but were left to rue those missed chances.

More good performances from the crop of youngsters to go with the experience must surely bode well for the coming league campaign?
Emley are next in action on Tuesday 27th July away at Glasshoughton Welfare.

F/T- EMLEY 2-1 STOCKSBRIDGE.