On an uncharacteristically scorching day in Emley, the Pewits came away with a point against local rivals Garforth Town after a 1-1 draw.

Garforth, promoted to the NPL East alongside Emley in the 2023/24 season, were the aggressors early in the game, but to little avail.

After just five minutes, a huge chance fell to Aldrich for the visitors. He had only Lambton to beat, but the Emley stopper closed the angle well and the Garforth centre-forward could only roll the effort wide of the left post.

Emley didn’t hang about in answering back, as the debutant Pewit was in the right place at the right time to slam home after a goalmouth scramble from a corner to make it 1-0 to Emley. Some start from the new centre-half.

Garforth tested Emley’s defence for long portions of the first half. The new centre-half pairing for the Pewits held firm, but the defensive unit struggled to advance the ball into attacking areas at times.

Emley’s set-pieces were a weapon from the off, providing the chance for the opening goal and troubling Flatters in the Garforth goal throughout the first half.

In the 26th minute, the Garforth number one flapped at a corner and just barely kept the ball out of his net, seemingly taking a knock in the process as a break in play was needed while he received treatment.

Set-pieces continued to provide an outlet for a physical Emley side. Each delivery from the creative players proved difficult to deal with, and Emley played according to the conditions, looking to win more set plays as the game went on.

O’Grady almost added to his dream start as the game approached its halfway point, playing a searching pass into the path of Gordon, whose shot trickled wide following a deflection. Emley ended the half in the ascendancy with a one-goal lead to defend in the second 45.

Half-time: Emley 1-0 Garforth

The second half began with pressure from Garforth, as Lambton was called into action on several occasions. The visitors were much more involved and dangerous after half-time.

The first major chance didn’t come until the 62nd minute, when an accurate header was pushed away by Lambton at his near post. Garforth had been pushing hard for the equaliser, but it was beginning to seem like it wasn’t the visitors’ day in front of goal.

Garforth did eventually break the deadlock 10 minutes later, however. In the 72nd minute, Garforth’s skipper, Dan Coupland, side-footed home from the centre of the box to get his side level and it had been coming for the away side.

Emley had to react, but Garforth kept asking questions. Early form man Sorhaindo joined Emley’s attack from the bench for the final 15 minutes as the Pewits searched for inspiration.

Emley looked to be in on 80 minutes, as Carlos Rodrigues played a lovely short ball to Lindley, who sprayed a pinpoint through ball out to Stacey. The winger couldn’t find either Gordon or Sorhaindo in the box, and the game remained level.

Stacey constantly zipped down the left wing in the late stages, showing no sign of fatigue. His efforts pushed Emley forward, but the finishing touches eluded the Pewits.

A last-ditch tackle from O’Grady kept the game level as Garforth’s second-half efforts almost stole the points. The debutant defender was on hand to marshal the six-yard box and clear the danger. Just moments later, he was announced as Man of the Match to the sound of praise from the Emley faithful for their new man.

Despite their best efforts, the points were eventually shared between the two sides after cancelling each other out in the closing stages.

Emley remain unbeaten after four, sitting sixth in the league. The weekend brings a trip away to North Ferriby as The Pewits look to extend their positive start.

Full-time: Emley 1-1 Garforth

Attendance: 428
Man of the Match: Callum O’Grady
Emley: Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Barks, O’Grady, B. Rodrigues, Lindley, Gordon, Mampala, Stacey
Subs: C. Rodrigues, Dawson, Sorhaindo
Unused: Cowgill, Baldwin