Emley came away from Green Lane in Redcar with 3 points following a tremendous win over previously unbeaten Redcar Athletic in the Northern Premier League Division One East to maintain our own unbeaten league record.

It was a well deserved and hard fought victory with Emley having to dig in at the end to keep their haul, Redcar hadn't been beaten at all in 2025 so the win was even more impressive!

A cloudy, breezy gale greeted the players as they entered the pitch and it was Redcar who straight at it with an attempt that went wide, Emley then conceded a couple of corners but they were dealt with and the danger cleared.

Emley's first attack came around 5 minutes in, a good header by Sorhaindo found Gordon in the box but he couldn't quite steer the ball into Mampala's feet for a shot, that was the start of a purple patch for the Pewits in green who put some real pressure on the Steelmen's defence.

Gordon bewildered the defence on the left before whipping in a lovely ball into the area, Sorhaindo got a decent strike away but it was deflected away for a corner, at the other end, Redcar fashioned a chance but the shot flew wide courtesy of an Emley deflection.

Emley were back up the other end soon enough and the chance was created for Sorhaindo but his shot also went narrowly wide, two minutes later and the Pewits were back on the attack, a superb tackle saw Dawson win the ball in midfield to start the attack and kept on going but he couldn't quite reach the ball back into him which would have put him in the clear.

Another good chance for Emley as a good build up saw a rasping shot from Mampala took a deflection and lobbed over the bar, from the corner, the keeper made a good two-fisted clearance to clear his lines, but it only delayed the inevitable.

Just two minutes later, the Pewits were back in the attacking danger zone and Gordon won a corner, the corner was a beauty, an outswinger from Dawson which was met superbly by Jack Cowgill who flashed a header into the net for a well deserved lead, it was the first goal Redcar had conceded at home this season, the first goal they've conceded in the league since December 2024 and the first goal they've conceded at home in all competitions since March, some record just gone.

The Steelmen almost replied instantly, a good ball in from their left saw a free header beat Lambton but luckily for Emley, hit the bar and went over, Lambton then had to be on his toes, a break from deep after Dawson appeared to be fouled led to a one-on-one but Lambton was big and strong and made the save to keep our lead intact.

Joe Stacey then had a shot for Emley, after cutting back infield from the left wing, his curling shot from the outside of the boot was dealt with easily by the Redcar keeper, but two minutes later he was beaten all ends up by a second Emley strike, after moving the ball laterally, the ball eventually found itself at the feet of Manasse Mampala who smashed a beauty into the top corner, via a hand from the keeper, although, in his defence, it did take a deflection on the way, but Emley and their fans weren't complaining about that.

Emley were well on top by now with the hosts looking for half time to regroup, Emley went for a third to kill the game off, skipper Metcalfe found himself with a shooting opportunity, but just as he fired wide, he was clattered by a late, naughty, challenge from behind, a yellow card and a free kick to Emley which was saved by the keeper.

There was just time for Redcar to launch one more attack in the half but Emely watched as the shot flew well wide and sailed off into the distance on the wind.

H/T- Redcar Athletic 0-2 Emley

There wouldn't be any more goals, but what there would be was resilience, toughness, some proper Yorkshire grit and a willingness to work hard that saw Emley through, although we still had chances to clinch a third goal.

One of those came five minutes into the second half, a lovely weighted ball downfield found Sorhaindo who headed on for Gordon, who looked to have got the beating of the defender, but the Redcar man managed to poke it wide at the last second, it almost beat his keeper but went for a corner, which was then overcooked.

A first change for Emley on the hour saw Sorhaindo, who worked extremely hard,replaced by Belchior Rodrigues, who had to muck in and help his team defend for a few minutes.

After an attack down their left, the shot flew wide with Lambton flying across his area with it, a minute or so later, another chance for the hosts but a header went over the bar when it looked like the better option was to head it down.

Emley only had 3 subs to call on and used them wisely, with tired legs and the Steelmen looking to claw something back, Carlos Rodrigues and Isaac Baldwin replaced the struggling Jaanai Gordon and impressive Manasse Malamba as Emley were then forced to fight for the loot.

Lambton saved a free kick following a foul on the edge of the box and Emley did everything they could to run the clock down and frustrate the hosts, we didn't have anymore chances on goal but we defended stoutly and bravely and game management was very good from experienced campaigners like Baldwin, Dawson, Hardker etc.

As the flames of Redcar's efforts to get back in the game were turning into burning embers, one last chance for the hosts saw another shot blasted high and wide over Lambton's goal, the final whistle blew and the Emley contingent could finally cheer the win and applaud their team off- only a brief warm down though!

A good win against a good team with a very good record at home and now we turn our attention to Monday's derby with Garforth Town.

F/T- Redcar Athletic 0-2 Emley

Attendance- 279

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Stacey, Lindley, Cowgill, Hardaker, Dawson, Mmpala, Gordon, Sorhaindo, Metcalfe (c}.
Subs all used- B.Rodrigues, C.Rodrigues, Baldwin.

Goals- Cowgill (24') Mampala (35')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Hayden Lindley