74 days after the dramatic last day penalty shoot out to seal promotion to the NPL Premier Division, Emley were once again back in action at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground for the only home friendly of the pre season campaign.

The occasion and atmosphere was a little more subdued as we welcomed EFL league two Rotherham United, and fans of both teams saw a fairly competitive game which finished 1-1 with a wonder goal from one of Emley's new signings.

The first half saw plenty of attacking endeavour and chances for both teams, Emley earned a free kick but the routine probably needs fine tuning in training as it didn't pan out as intended, before the Millers fashioned their first chance but put a header wide.

Emley, playing in their smart new Adidas kit for the first time, were showing some neat attacking moves and Joe Stacey played in penalty shoot out hero Clegg, his shot was blocked, before Stacey once again provided the attacking spark as he won a corner which finished with Bailey Thompson heading wide. Another corner saw Johnson's shot blocked before Stacey buried the recovered ball over the shed roof and into the car park.

Emley enjoyed a good spell, but eventually, the professionals got into their stride and started causing their own problems, a quick attack down their left finished with shot flashing wide, Ellis Farrar then had a shot blocked from another Emley corner which Rotherham failed to clear.

Just past the half hour came the moment of the match, after an innocuous looking foul inside Emley's half was given, new signing Jamie Spencer spotted the Millers' keeper well off his line and promptly took the free kick himself and lobbed the keeper who had no chance of making it back in time, a super finish from the former Huddersfield Town man.

Watched by the former England manager Steve McClaren, who is now Rotherham's head of football, it was a delightful goal which is a strong contender for the goal of the season already!

Rotherham pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded not long after, another good move down their left split open the Emley defence and a ball into the area saw the attacker steady himself and fire home.

There wasn't much more action before the half time whistle blew and ended an even, entertaining half.

H/T- Emley 1-1 Rotherham Utd

As is often the case with friendlies, the second half rarely reflects the first in terms of action and chances, and this was no different, both sides made plenty of changes which inevitably disrupted the flow of things, Rotherham no doubt had the better of things though and were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when a shot cannoned off the post but rolled along the goal-line before being cleared.

Neither keeper had really had much to do but Emley's Ben Bottomley became the busier of the two making a couple of great saves, first up, a good attack down the right saw Bottomley on his toes to tip a good shot over for a corner, and then with the help of his defence, another Millers attack was thwarted as a shot, then a follow up header were blocked and cleared.

Bottomley's best moment though came a few minutes later, again, Rotherham found their way through the defence but Big Ben stood his ground and denied the striker with a good one on one save.

The game entered the final couple of minutes but it was Emley, and Carlos Rodrigues who sought the late winner, Rodrigues was twice denied, after a run that took him to the heart of the Rotherham defence, he couldn't get his shot away and then right on time, he was presented with a chance to earn the win but fired at the keeper.

Both teams took the applause of the 500+ fans and the ex England boss as we now complete our pre season away from home.

F/T- Emley 1-1 Rotherham Utd.

Attendance- 586

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard(Ejupi),Farrar, Porritt(Trialist), Cowgill(Barks),Spencer(Trialist), Stacey(Hanson), Spencer(Lindley), Johnson(Haswell), Thomspon (Rodrigues), Di Girolamo (Kiwomya).

Goal- Spencer 33'.