Emley saw off a spirited effort from Lincoln Utd to remain unbeaten and move into 4th place in the Northern Premier League Division One East with a 2-0 win at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

A goal in each half sealed the three points for the Pewits but they had goalkeeper Dec Lambton to thank as well for keeping Lincoln out with some fine saves.

Emley started brightly, a second effort from an early free kick saw Mampala fire off target and five minutes later we almost took the lead when a corner saw a downward header clutched by the keeper almost on the line, and on the next attack, Emley struck, a ball out to the right hand side of the box found Manasse Mampala who took a touch before smashing an angled drive into the bottom corner, target found this time!

It was almost two a minute later but Sorhaindo's effort struck the post and then cleared, it was all Emley in the first 15 minutes of play, Carlos Rodrigues was a menace on our right and his darting run brought the first yellow card of the evening as a Lincoln defender took him out, he then tried a cheeky effort from the halfway line, noticing the keeper off his line following a clearance but he couldn't direct his effort on target.

United started to find their way into the game and fired a warning sign as a volleyed effort flew just over on their first meaningful attack, Emley then looked to get a second goal, from a whipped ball in from the left from Joe Stacey, the ball was recycled and played back into the danger zone but Carlos was off target again with the drive.

Just as the first quarter was drawing to a close, Lambton showed why is one of the best keepers in this league with a stunning save, following a good moe down their right, the ball was whipped into the back post where good contact was made and it looked for all the world that the visitors had equalised but Lambton showed great athleticism to get down low and quick to pull off a wonder save.

Lincoln again threatened the Emley goal, another good move found space on their left this time but Harry Sheppeard averted the danger with a very timely tackle inside the area for a corner which was cleared, another chance for The Whites saw the chance go begging as the shot was sent wide.

Emley dealt with the Lincoln pressure well and then went on the attack themselves, a fine Emley move started with captain Cowgill's raking diagonal ball right at the feet of Baldwin who saw his delivert cleared, but only as far as Chris Dawson on the edge of the D who volleyed narrowly wide.

Another chance for Emley came and went as half time approached, great play from Stacey on the left beat his man before rifling a shot which the keeper got hands to, Barks headed the corner wide, and then right on the stroke of half time, Lincoln had another couple of chances, again, Sheppeard was on hand to clear the danger as was Lambton seconds later, making another save to deny the whites in green.

H/T- Emley 1-0 Lincoln Utd.

The second half started like the first with an early free kick, this time for the visitors, but it was harmless, as was a shot a couple of minutes later that sailed over.

Emley were looking for an early goal to perhaps put the game to bed, Carlos Rodrigues again causing problems, his strong run brought about a corner but it came to nothing, another good bit of play by Carlos then found Barks inside the area but he couldn't find the target.

We kept pushing, Sheppeard winning a free kick after a good run down the inside right, and then Stacey put a ball in from the left but Sorhaindo couldn't get the purchase on the header and it rolled harmlessly wide, Sheppeard again found space on the right but his shot was wayward and was actually retrieved by Rodrigues but he couldn't trouble the defence.

Emley's first change of the night saw Jaanai Gordon replace Sorhaindo and Gordon was involved in Emley's next chance, after beating the defender, he drilled a ball across goal and a desperate lunge from a Lincoln defender almost turned it past his keeper for an own goal but the Pewits had to settle for a corner instead.

They were almost made to rue that as the visitors went down the other end to try and sneak an equaliser and they came very close to doing that, a good cross saw a header glanced just wide before Lambton was called upon again to pull off another remarkable save, another cross into the danger area saw a firm header downwards, just as it appeared to be heading into the net, Lambton was on hand to make a superb reflex to keep Emley's lead intact.

Two more changes for Emley saw Whittingham replace Mampala and Belchior Rodrigues replace his namesake Carlos.

With the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, Emley were looking to hold onto their lead, but then had other ideas, following a defence splitting pass, Joe Stacey beat the offside trap and as the keeper came out, he calmly slotted the ball to the keeper's left into the bottom corner at the Shed end and wrapped up the points for unbeaten Emley.

Stacey then took the applause as he was replaced by Alfie Dean, but the game was up and Emley took all 3 points as we now look ahead to a long trip to Northumberland to face Blyth Town on Saturday.

F/T- Emley 2-0 Lincoln Utd.

Attendance- 257

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Baldwin, Lindley, Cowgill [c] Barks, C.Rodrigues, Dawson, Sorhaindo, Mampala, Stacey:
Subs used- Gordon, B.Rodrigues, Whittingham, Dean:
Unused- Hardaker.

Goals- Mampala (7') Stacey (88')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Chris Dawson