Emley's 2023-24 season ended in bitter disappointment in Scunthorpe as they were soundly beaten by Parkgate in the final of the NCEL league cup final to end their hopes of a first ever league and cup double after clinching the premier division title at the end of March.

In all honesty, Parkgate were by far the better side and deservedly won a double themselves after winning the first division title and now add the cup to their fantastic season.

Emley's league season ended on April 9th and there have only been 2 games since then, both in this competition, Parkgate, having had a fixture backlog had played 11 games in that time and it certainly showed, they looked match fitter, sharper, quicker, stronger and played with the enthusiasm and confidence of a team that had powered their way to the title and looked eager to carry that on.

Emley had their moments but were few and far between, Parkgate snuffing out most of the early attacks, Parkgate had the first shot on target, forcing Lambton into an early save and the resulting corner was cleared.

Iyrwah Gooden was finding a bit of space down Emley's left and it was a foul on him that saw Emley's first real chance, the free kick floated in from Metcalfe on the left wasn't cleared and Walshaw and Jerome both failed to get decent touches to turn the ball goalward.

The Pewits, playing in home claret and blue and against a backdrop of claret and blue seats and backed by their usual noisy contingent were starting to get a foothold in the game and look like the premier division champions, but they couldn't find a breakthrough, another free kick by Hardaker this time saw Barks head over.

Parkgate were playing some decent football and causing problems all over the pitch but Emley's defence held firm and protected Lambton well and almost created another chance themselves, Gooden again got the better of his man but his ball across goal was just too far ahead of James Walshaw to make any meaningful connection.

Walshaw was involved again when after picking up a ball that wasn't properly cleared by the Steelmen, he cut inside his man but the shot was a relatively easy save for Parkgate keeper Greaves.

Around the half hour mark, Parkgate seemed to pick up some energy bars and pushed Emley back into their own half as the Pewits' energy levels seemed to drop, their next attack saw Emley fail to clear their lines and Lambton was forced into a superb close range save as it looked like the deadlock was broken, Tom Haigh saw yellow as he was guilty of a late challenge.

Just a minute later, another chance for the first division champions, but this time Lambton was happy to see the shot roll wide, however, it would be third time lucky for Parkgate, again, Emley failed to clear their lines and were pushed back deep, the ball found its way to Whitfield on halfway who surged forward and unleashed a shot from distance that Lambton couldn't deal with and the the Steelmen had the lead.

Emley looked for an immediate response but after a good move right to left, Haigh's shot dipped the wrong side of the post, Parkgate were straight back on the attack but their shot was also wide as the referee blew for half time in Scunny.

H/T-EMLEY 0-1 PARKGATE

45 minutes for one of these teams to make a bit of history for their clubs, Emley's fans were right behind them at the start of the second half, the ultras making plenty of noise hoping to see an Emley comeback, they weren't far off celebrating at the start of the half though, good play by Jerome set up Walshaw who's footwork and then shot forced a corner, from the corner, Barks headed wide.

It was then Parkgate's turn to attack and Lambton was able to watch a shot sail over his bar, another chance for Parkgate saw Lambton deal with a shot comfortably.

Emley then had a chance, good play by Gooden created the opportunity to cause chaos and Jerome's shot looked like it would be his 40th goal of the season but somehow the Parkgate defence cleared it from almost under the bar, on the next attack, Walshaw headed over from a free kick.

Parkgate then saw their own chance cleared almost off the line, from a left side corner, the header looked like going in until an Emley boot got it away at the last moment.

Both teams made changes as the long season was starting to take its toll, Joe Clegg replaced Haigh and Nathan Curtis replaced James Walshaw, Parkgate also made changes, and looked like they were winning the energy battle again.

That certainly proved the case in the last 20 minutes, Emley looked out on their feet but Parkgate's youthful exuberance finally paid off, following a good attacking move, a corner was headed in beyond the desperate attempt of Lambton to make it 2-0, it was a long way back now for the premier division champions.

Emley tried manfully to find a way back but were shut down by a resolute Parkgate defence, who looked to cause even more problems in attack, Jerome was booked as his frustration got the better of him , followed by Cowgill as Emley saw the double slipping away from them.

Then, with 5 minutes left, Parkgate sealed the deal, following a quick break that split the Emley defence, substitute Guest picked the ball up and slammed a shot beyond Lambton into the bottom corner to put the tie beyond the Pewits, it was the Parkgate fans who had finally realised what was happening who had found their voices now as the disappointment hit home for Emley.

Emley almost got one back within a couple of minutes but were denied by a good save by the keeper.

Parkgate were then happy to see the game out as Emley looked deflated and well beaten as the referee put them out of their misery.

A very disappointing end to a glorious season which saw us clinch the title with a bit to spare and as well as this final, saw good runs in both the FA Cup and FA vase, we look forward to NPL football next year and more adventures, but the double wasn't quite doable on the night, congratulations to Parkgate and their supporters who have also enjoyed a tremendous season.

F/T- EMLEY 0-3 PARKGATE

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Barks, Cowgill, Haigh, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw; Subs used- Clegg, Curtis, Baldwin, Walker; Unused- Knowles.

ATTENDANCE- 667