Emley fell to a first league defeat of the season as we were beaten by 10-man Grimsby Borough on a frustrating evening at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Despite playing the second half with a numerical advantage, Emley failed to trouble the scoreboard as Boro took full advantage midway through the half.

Emley enjoyed the lions share of possession, had plenty of efforts on goal but not many on target and Grimsby grew in confidence and the ten men actually looked quite comfortable at times defending, they were organised, physical, cynical at times but it worked for them as Emley struggled to find a way through them.

Emley started well, attacking the Warburton end and forced a succession of corners but they were cleared or overhit, Kieron Ceesay, making his home debut showed up well early on, his shot from the edge of the D sailed over, as did a strike from Hayden Lindley two minutes later, then an Emley free kick from the inside left position was blasted over by Manny Mampala meaning Emley had nothing to show for their early efforts.

Lambton was virtually a spectator for the first 20 minutes but he had to be alert to save a decent effort from the visitors, who seemed perfectly happy to let The Pewits dictate the play, Ceesay was off target again with a shot that flew wide and then Emley had Isaac Baldwin to thank for a vital interception in his own box to prevent the away side from taking a lead.

Things started getting a bit tetchy, Grimsby had a couple of yellow cards shown for dissent and were testing the referee's patience somewhat, and that patience snapped a minute or so before half time when York was sent off for crashing into Sheppeard, it was his second booking in a matter of minutes and Grimsby weren't happy about it.

The half ended with Lindley seeing a shot from the edge of the box saved low down to the keepers' right.

H/T- Emley 0-0 Grimsby Borough.

There was an air of anticipation from the home supporters at the start of the second half, hoping Emley could make their numerical advantage count, but they didn't count on Boro's defence being as stubborn and strong as they were, they also showed they could attack too, with Lambton having to parry an early second half shot.

Again, Emley dominated possession, but a lot of it was lateral, trying to find gaps in the away defence, Stacey managed to do just that and his ball in was met by skipper Chris Dawson who blasted into the car park, it was to become the defining image of Emley's night unfortunately.

Lindley was next up, a patient build up eventually saw the ball squared to Emley's no.4 who fired over, as did Mampala following some neat work inside the area, Emley were getting shots away but none of them were hitting the target, Grimsby were happy to let Emley pass around in front of them and dealing with most of the threats.

Too many times, Emley would get into good positions but the final ball was wasted or mopped up by a defence growing in confidence knowing that they had reduced the Pewits to long range efforts or hopeful crosses, one of those crosses did find an Emley shirt but Jaanai Gordon could only head wide, another good ball in, this time from Sheppeard was also in a good spot, but the keeper did well to punch under pressure from Gordon.

A change for Emley, another home debut, this time for Youssef Chentouf who replaced Baldwin, but Emley's frustrations, growing by the minute were made worse in the 68th minute when Boro stunned the Welfare Ground with the games' only goal.

A quick break downfield saw them awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge brought the man down, Topliss smashed the ball into the net to give the visitors a very unlikely lead and silence apart from the handful of Grimsby supporters.

It was a lead they would hold on to, despite plenty of pressure from Emley, Laurence Sorhaindo replaced Ceesay and then the captain was denied twice in a minute, first, a low shot was deflected for a corner, which in turn led to a long throw which Dawson then poked wide from close range.

Joe Stacey then cut in from the left and fired a shot but the keeper was happy to catch it without too much effort and Grimsby then defended with everything they had as Emley brought on more attacking options, Belchior Rodrigues and Emmaisa Nzondo replacing Gordon and Hardaker respectively but still the visitors held firm.

With the game now rolling into 90 minutes, and longer, as Grimsby, weren't always in a rush, Emley were still huffing and puffing but ultimately didn't have enough to blow down the house of the 10 man Wilderness Boys, an optimistic penalty shout and a header wide from Sorhaindo was all Emley could muster in their attempts in the last few minutes.

Plenty of possession, plenty of attacking moves but not enough penetration and disappointing final balls meant Grimsby could defend their lead without too much trouble to end Emley's unbeaten start to the league season which ended at 7 games. We now look ahead to Saturday where we welcome Consett looking to get back on it.

F/T- Emley 0-1 Grimsby Borough.

Attendance- 283

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Baldwin, Lindley, Barks, Hardaker, Ceesay, Dawson [c], Gordon, Mampala, Stacey:
Subs used- Chentouf, Sorhaindo, B.Rodrigues, Nzondo;
Unused- Whittingham.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Hayden Lindley