Looking to build on a reasonably strong start to the season, Emley welcomed mid-table long-distance visitors Ashington on a crisp afternoon in West Yorkshire.

In our last meeting in March last season, Ashington put Emley to the sword with a second half 3 goal rout to cancel out loan striker Josh Ayres’ first half goal.

Emley would certainly be hoping for better this time out but would have to be better than they played in the opening 10 to stand a chance.

The Colliers launched balls into Emley’s left channel, targeting new recruit Farrar mercilessly. Emley rode an opening bombardment of long balls with just enough grit to stay level. The new Emley centre half had no issues dealing with the visitors’ advances.

Going forward Emley’s passing would not stick, as second balls went awry regularly while Emley tried to gain control of the match.

A half chance finally fell to Mampala in the 15th minute after a theatrical dive from an Ashington player allowed Emley a man over in attack. Sorhaindo slipped Mampala in, but the shot was tame and the chance was wasted.

Ashington’s number 4 Liam Noble was the pantomime villain for the afternoon, as he constantly goaded the Emley players into altercations. Dawson obliged with a shove in the back which the Emley fans applauded.

Stacey almost opened the scoring in the 19th minute as he skinned his marker with ease and played a one-two with Mampala. His shot was fierce but wide of the far post.

It was eventually Manasse Mampala who opened the scoring for Emley with an absolute rocket from the edge of the area. Off balance, the classy number 10 tried his luck and lashed a shot right underneath the bar.

Emley had played their way into the game well with some attractive football. Ashington were not about to make it easy for them though as they kept the game physical throughout.

Emley had the ball in the net again on the half-hour mark, but the referee blew his whistle for a free kick much to the Emley fans’ confusion.
Chris Dawson rectified the chalked off goal with a great finish from just outside the box. The chance was begging to be finished as Emley passed freely in Ashington’s final third trying to find the angle that finally fell to the captain to double the lead.

H/T: Emley 2-0 Ashington

Emley saw themselves into the break with a two goal advantage after two impressive finishes from Mampala and Dawson. They would look to keep on the pressure in the second period.

Lambton was smartly off his line a couple of times early in the second half to see off awkward bouncing balls played from deep by Ashington.

Emley fans continued to be on the referee’s back, calling for him to pull the visitors up on ‘dark arts’, but decisions continued to fall Ashington’s way to their dislike.

A huge chance fell to Stacey 10 minutes into the second half, who struck a gorgeous shot full onto the post. The rebound was straight into the path of the reliable Mampala, but the effort was inches over the crossbar.

A chance to make it three went begging, as Barks headed a Stacey free kick back across goal, but nobody was there to smash it home.

Jones in net for Ashington pulled off a fantastic save to deny Baldwin who hit a wonderful effort from long range after a cleared corner.

In the 61st minute, Manasse Mampala doubled his tally for the day with a coolly finished side footer from just inside the area. A surging run from Lindley had the defence out of sorts as Mampala found space and received the pass before slotting the shot home with ease.

Mampala and Dawson made way to raptures of applause in the later stages of the game. Emley’s reinforcements were on to see out the game with fresh legs.

Ashington were limited to barely half chances throughout the second half, and Emley cruised to a 3-0 victory.

F/T: Emley 3-0 Ashington
Emley: Lambton, Sheppeard, Baldwin, Lindley, Barks, Farrar, Stacey, Dawson, Sorhaindo, Mampala, Christie-Crainie.
Subs: Gordon, Hardaker, B. Rodrigues, Whittingham.
Attendance: 413
WM Sykes Man of the Match: Ellis Farrar