A Manny Mampala brace helped Emley retain their play off place in a comfortable win over play off chasing Bridlington Town in the Northern Premier League Division One East.

Despite seeing right back Harry Sheppeard sent off, Emley held firm and posted possibly their most impressive results of the season, certainly of the better performances of the season.

After observing a minutes silence of remembrance, the game kicked off with Emley attacking the shed and immediately troubled the Bridlington defence, keeper Dash had to be quick on his toes to parry a Chris Dawson fizzer in only the first minute, he was called into action again two minutes later when Stacey's whipped cross from the left caused problems with home debutant Bailey Thompson ready to pounce.

A good Emley move saw Jaanai Gordon with a half chance but his shot was easily gathered low down by Dash, Emley then had to defend as Brid broke, but Emley's defence saw off the trouble, however, The Seasiders would be back, Lambton was forced into a save at the Warburton end and from the resulting corner a shot cleared the crossbar, Bridlington were enjoying a decent spell and saw another effort cleared off the line following a scramble, Ellis Farrar then stopped another attack with a superbly timed tackle inside his own box.

But The Pewits survived, survived, then thrived as we came out unscathed and then took the lead with a nicely worked goal, following a crude challenge on a flying Sheppeard, Ross Hardaker stepped up and planted the free kick plum into the path of Manasse Mampala who buried it for 1-0.

Emley then played with confidence and a bit of zip about them as they searched for a second, Bailey Thompson scored on his debut last week and wasn't far off netting on his home debut but his shot was inches wide as it hit the side netting, Sheppeard saw yellow just past the half hour mark which was to have consequences later on, Jaanai Gordon soon followed him in the book for a late challenge.

Still, the Pewits attacked, Joe Stacey found himself a bit of space but couldn't keep his shot down, and then Dash denied Hayden Lindley with a fine save from an equally fine strike and Bridlington held on to go in only 1 down at half time.

H/T- Emley 1-0 Bridlington Town.

The second half was a bit of a slow burner but 8 minutes into it saw Emley's first attack as Thompson blazed over from a ball in from Sheppeard, and then a double chance as first, Dawson's shot was saved and then from the corner, Lindley was denied again by a nice tip over from the keeper.

However, Emley then struck for a second time just before the hour, following a good move down our left, the ball found itself once again at the feet of Manasse Mampala who shifted to his right before planting a well placed shot into the bottom corner to double the lead, it was no more than Emley deserved as for once, the attacking threat came to the fore.

However, Bridlington weren't totally out of it and almost got one back straight away, a shot beat Lambton but hit the bar and bounced up but somehow Lambton clawed the ball clear as their dangerman Salam looked to have bundled it over the line, a let off for Emley and they totally punished Brid by going down the other end and scoring again.

A superb, free flowing move down the stand side saw the ball delivered into the middle where Jaanai Gordon was there to prod home a third goal and send the home supporters into raptures, there then followed a couple of headed chances for each side, with Thompson off target for the Pewits who then made changes.

Thompson, who had impressed many fans on his home debut gave way to Ceesay, two goal hero Mampala received a standing ovation as he was replaced by Joe Clegg and Archie Christie-Crainey replaced the other goal scorer Gordon.

Emley went looking for more goals though as Ceesay's rasping shot was blocked after a good run, and they were then forced to see out the last 10 minutes or so without Sheppeard who didn't like the decision to give a foul against him and was shown a second yellow and then a red, but Emley held firm and dealt with most of the visitors' threats.

Carlos Rodrigues replaced Stacey late on as Emley held on for a comfortable win that keeps us 4th in the NPL D1 East table and we now face a trip to Worksop Town in the Sheffield and Hallamshire cup on Tuesday.

F/T- Emley 3-0 Bridlington Town

Attendance- 348

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Farrar, Lindley, Cowgill [c], Hardaker, Mampala, Dawson, Gordon, Thompson, Stacey:
Subs used- Ceesay, Clegg, Christie-Crainey, C.Rodrigues:
Unused- B.Rodrigues.

Goals- Mampala (29', 57') Gordon (61')

Red Card- Sheppeard (81')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Ellis Farrar.