Emley came away from a tough trip to the banks of the Humber with a point following a goalless draw with North Ferriby in the Northern Premier League Division One East to maintain our unbeaten start to the season.

Goalless it may have been but there was no lack of endeavour from both sides, both keepers were called into action to prevent a shutout, as well as some fine defending for both sides as defence probably beat attack on the day.

It was a fine day on the banks of the estuary in the scenic ground and village of North Ferriby and a good number of Emley fans made the 120 mile round journey and were rewarded with a decent showing by their team, with Ferriby playing in their white and green home strip and Emley in their green and black change strip, both teams got down to it.

Ferriby were the first to pose an attacking threat but nothing to trouble Lambton in the Emley nets, Emley's first threat came just after 5 minutes, Joe Stacey firing wide after Gordon couldn't get a shot away, Emley remained in attack mode and almost opened the scoring a few minutes later, Jaanai Gordon this time did get his shot away and the keeper parried, but only towards the onrushing Laurence Sorhaindo but his scuffed shot was claimed by the keeper.

It was a lively few minutes by Emley, who saw skipper Alex Metcalfe try his luck from distance after the ball sat up nicely some 20 yards out but his shot was blocked although it did appear goalbound. Ferriby then found their attacking feet and Lambton was up early to catch a very dangerous looking cross into the area, Dec was called into action again a few minutes later as the Villagers found a way through a strong Emley rearguard, a number of passes finished with a shot which Lambton saved low down.

It was fairly end to end stuff for the first quarter of the game, and Emley were next on the attack, a free kick on our right following a foul on Sheppeard saw too much weight on the ball and the effort drifted straight into the keepers' hands, a Ferriby free kick a minute later also failed to find the target and dropped wide.

Another free kick in a dangerous area for Emley saw Mampala drill a shot into the wall and out for a corner which was dealt with and at the other end, the hosts rampaged forward but the volleyed shot was wide and then a 10 minute spell where everything calmed down, both sides looking to make the breakthrough but some fine defending, on the ground and in the air prevented any other chances.

Right on half time and a Joe Stacey throw was recycled back to Metcalfe on the edge of the box but again, his shot was blocked as the defences won out in the first half.

H/T- North Ferriby 0-0 Emley.

Emley started the second half well, and following a good move in which Mampala was denied, the following cross was blasted too deep and missed everyone, another decent attack down Emley's right saw a shot by Cowgill blocked and the danger cleared eventually, as the home defence stood firm.

Just before the hour, a good chance for Ferriby, a free kick on their right was delivered into the area, a poked effort was saved by Lambton and then cleared by the visiting defence, Emley then turned defence into attack and found Harry Sheppeard in space down the right, he jinked his way past the defender and cut in on his left foot but the shot didn't match the build up and sailed handsomely wide.

Both sides made changes and Carlos Rodrigues replaced Laurence Sorhaindo and the ex Sheffield Wednesday man looked lively, causing a few problems for the Ferriby defence and winning a number of throw ins an corners with his direct play.

Emley then created the best chance of the entire game and must be wondering how they didn't score, the ball was worked well down the field and Emley won a throw, Stacey delivered, Cowgill headed on into the path of Hayden Lindley who struck a blistering shot from 12 yards but the keeper made a tremendous save to keep it out, Lindley had another chance two minutes later but this time the keeper didn't need to worry as the effort was over.

With the game right in the balance and both sides looking for a late winner and again, both teams made changes with Belchior Rodrigues replacing Manny Mampala, but both defences remained firm and strong and there were no further chances of not for either side and so Emley's wait for a first goal at Grange Lane since 1982 goes on, but a valuable point was gained on a ground where we have lost our last two games.

Next up, we are on our travels yet again, this time, a Friday night trip to Newcastle to face Heaton Stannington in the FA Trophy, but for now, Emley remain unbeaten and sit 5th in the NPL D1 East table.

F/T- North Ferriby 0-0 Emley

Attendance- 366

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Stacey, O'Grady, Cowgill, Hardaker, Lindley, Mampala, Gordon, Sorhaindo, Metcalfe (C)
Subs used- C.Rodrigues, B.Rodrigues
Unused- Baldwin, Barks, Whittingham.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Joe Stacey.