Won 23, drawn 8 and lost 11, that's the tale of Emley's Northern Premier League Division One East season, however Saturday's 23rd win, a hard fought 2-1 win over Consett was possibly the most important, as it secured a promotion play off place for the Pewits in their first season at this level.

It's been a fabulous season for Emley, and it extends now into Tuesday night when we face a long trip to the North East to face Dunston in the play off semi final, a season which looked like it had petered out has still got a sparkle left, Emley's poor form looked like it would cost them but back to back home wins in the space of a week reignited the flame for the battling Pewits, we also had to rely on James Walshaw's Ossett avoiding defeat at home to Newton Aycliffe which they did, just!

It was another proverbial game of two halves, Consett, safely tucked in mid table and mainly playing for pride made it tough, really tough, Emley had the better of it in the first half but were made to hold firm late on to keep the season alive, the game took a while to get going with a penalty shout for the visitors being waved away early on and an Emley free kick was headed on by Ayres but the flag was up.

The first real action for either keeper saw Lambton make a routine save from a Consett chance at the back post, the action was hotting up on and off the field, both sets of fans including a good number from Co. Durham were encouraging their teams and chances fell to both sides in the space of a few minutes.

First, an Emley free kick from the right following a heavy challenge on Berchil saw Cowgill head just wide, before Consett wasted what was the best chance of the game so far, a nice ball caught Emley out and instead of shooting, the attacker lofted the ball to the back post instead, the recycled ball was then put wide as Emley had regrouped.

A minute later and Emley's play off hopes were raised when we snatched the lead, we could have taken the lead a minute earlier as Parkin sprang the offside trap but the keeper did well to thwart him one on one, but from the resulting corner, the ball was put deep into Consett's uncomfortable zone, Belchior Rodrigues stabbed the ball goalwards and captain Jack Cowgill was on hand to finish off from close range.

The noise level in the shed, already impressive was ramped up as Emley snuck back into the play off places, but Consett weren't out of it at all and stuck with Emley who looked to have a spring in their step following the goal, and Cowgill had to be alert at the other end to deal with another Consett attack.

Rodrigues was looking lively for Emley and linking up well with Ayres, and the two combined, Rodrigues' cross found Ayres with a solid header but the offside flag was up again, Ayres again was involved in Emley's next attack, after a nice build up though he put his low shot wide.

Berchil was his usually busy self and he drew yet another foul from a Consett defender, the free kick from the left from Hardaker found Adam Clayton but his header was cleared as it was heading towards the goal, Emley continued to push though and that push resulted in a second goal, Parkin was sent through and was sent crashing, Luke Parkin then stepped up himself and buried the penalty and Emley were on their way to the play offs!

Emley could play out the last few minutes of the first half knowing they were doing their bit and also, Ossett were keeping Newton Aycliffe at bay, there was just time for Berchil to crack a volley wide before the break which saw an impressive 45 minutes for the Pewits.

H/T- Emley 2-0 Consett

Consett kicked off the second half and immediately tried a long range shot which dipped and swerved but drifted wide of Lambton's post, it wouldn't be the last time Consett put Emley under pressure.

Emley, attacking the noisy shed for the final time this season, won a couple of corners, one of those saw Clayton head straight at the keeper from a good ball in from Hardaker, a first change for Emley saw Dawson, helped off the field groggily after appearing to catch a stray Consett elbow, he was replaced by Joe Kenny.

On the hour and it was the visitors who were threatening to ruin Emley's day, Lambton had to be ultra alert to tip a good header over the bar and then the corner was cleared, a few minutes later and it was Consett's keeper who had to tip a header over his bar from a brave diving header from Rodrigues but Emley were then pegged back by some constant Consett pressure.

The pressure eventually told as Consett pulled one back, Emley fans nerves were starting to get shredded a little now as Ossett continued to hold out for a draw, Lambton was again forced into action as Consett threatened an equaliser as the game entered the last 10 minutes.

A double sub from Emley looked to give the side some fresh legs, energy and impetus, Donae Lawrence and Nathan Curtis for Luke Parkin and Belchior Rodrigues, Lawrence was straight into it, and straight into the ref's book with a yellow card for a tangle with a Consett defender as tensions appeared to be heightening.

It was now becoming a nervous last few minutes for Emley, who were still absorbing a lot of Consett pressure, but holding out for now, that nervous tension could have been eased somewhat after Sheppeard's burst down the right saw him beat a couple of defenders and cross into the danger zone, but unfortunately for Emley, both Ayres and Berchil left it for each other and the chance was lost.

Another chance came and went as Emley nails were being bitten furiously by now, a whipped free kick from the right by Hardaker found Lawrence at the back post, he managed to head it back across goal but Curtis couldn't get a clean connection and again the chance was gone.

To their credit, Consett were making a real game of it and again, Emley needed to call on their experience and defensive know how to keep them at bay and protect Lambton in the goals, Consett did manage to find space for a shot but Lambton was equal to it, with the game at Emley approaching stoppage time and likewise over the valley at Ossett, the final play off place would go right down to the final seconds.

Isaac Baldwin replaced Josh Ayres as Emley looked to bolster their rearguard as Consett were still pushing for an equaliser, hearts were in mouths when shouts for handball came from the visitors but the ref waved the appeals away, they still kept at it and with the game now deep into 6 minutes of additional time, they hit the side netting.

Emley were now just clearing everything, anywhere to keep their lead and with the 6 minutes ticking into 7, the nerves and nails were now taking a battering, with one eye on the ref and one eye on events at Ossett, it was torture for the Emley faithful, but then a massive cheer indicated that the game at Ossett was finished and Emley just needed to see out whatever was left to make the cut.

A final chance saw Berchil replaced by Barks as Emley now built a claret and blue wall in front of Dec Lambton, with the clock now hitting 9+ additional minutes, the referee finally released the tension engulfing the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Emley celebrated with the fans knowing that they was to be at least one more game to go, a tough ask though, a Tuesday night trip to Gateshead to face second placed Dunston, but for the second season in a row, Emley and their fans were celebrating together, but there was also appreciative applause for Consett who played their part in an absorbing final game of the regular season as they left the field, their season over.

F/T- Emley 2-1 Consett

Attendance- 568

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Lindley, Cowgill [c], Clayton, Parkin, Dawson, Ayres, Rodrigues, Berchil:
Subs all used- Kenny, Lawrence, Curtis, Baldwin, Barks.

Goals- Cowgill (24') Parkin (40'pen)

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Adam Clayton