Emley maintained second place and a possible promotion push in the Northern Premier League Division One East with a pleasing win in the New Year's Day derby win over local rivals Ossett United thanks to a first ever Emley hat-trick for Bailey Thompson.

Emley, backed by a huge and noisy crowd, were once again too good for an Ossett side managed by former Emley favourite James Walshaw, in the three games since Emley's promotion to the NPL, the aggregate score stands at 8-1 to Emley following a league double last year and the Pewits were red hot in the opening minutes here.

Within the first 30 seconds, Emley won a corner but it drifted too far and out of play, Emley pinned Ossett deep in their own half and the big crowd were rewarded when a neat move involving Joe Stacey down the left saw him beat the defender and set up Bailey Thompson to steer home the opener within 3 minutes.

It was all Emley in the opening moments of the game, Thompson was almost in again but he couldn't quite beat the defence, a minute later and he scuffed a shot inside the area and the Ossett defence cleared up, another good Emley attack saw another corner but again the visitors dealt it at the second time of asking.

Manny Mampala then tried a speculative long range effort after spotting the keeper off his line but didn't get the purchase on it to trouble the goalie this time, Emley continued to attack the Warburton end, it was attack v defence at times, another good chance for Emley as captain Ross Hardaker flashed a header inches over and wide.

Ossett weathered the storm slightly and managed to get a foothold into the game and cause a few problems for the Pewits, a corner from their right was flashed across goal and thankfully for Emley, missed the flashing boot of the United attacker and went out for a throw at the cricket field side.

Mampala and Clegg were industrious in Emley's engine room and able to set up attacks down the middle and down both flanks, following good work in midfield, Mampala got into dangerous positions but the end product wasn't quite there, a raking ball in missed everyone in the box and he then fired a free kick over the wall and over the bar. Gabby Johnson was also close with a header from another corner but he couldn't steer it on target.

Ossett to their credit worked hard to limit further chances for the Pewits and managed to see out the half without causing any concern for the hosts defence who protected Lambton well.

H/T- Emley 1-0 Ossett Utd.

The second half saw Emley attacking the shed, and it was a noisy and vibrant shed, over 900 descended on the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground for this derby clash, it was the second biggest crowd in the division, only the Blyth derby at Spartans got more and the Pewits responded to the fantastic support.

Emley created a couple of half chances early on but nothing to trouble the Ossett defence, who again, worked hard to keep out their high flying hosts, but the cracks started to show, Joe Stacey in particularly was enjoying finding space on Emley's left, and on 56 minutes, he was involved as Emley doubled their lead, a lovely weighted ball found Johnson and he in turn placed a neat ball at the feet of Bailey Thompson to sweep home in front of a jubilant shed.

It was needed as Ossett were starting to enjoy some possession and stretch Emley, and they gave their band of supporters something to cheer finally when a corner from their right went in, there followed a nervous few minutes for Emley as United looked to have a bounce and a bit of confidence about them.

Johnson went close for Emley at the other end after connecting with another good ball in from Stacey and Mampala looked to restore the two goal lead but his long range effort was easy for the keeper. That two goal lead would be restored on 70 minutes, a penalty for Emley for a clumsy challenge inside the area, there was no denying who would be taking it and so up stepped Bailey Thompson to strike gold and smash the ball past former Emley stopper Aleks Petrovic for his maiden Emley hat-trick.

Ossett looked for a second to give us a nervy ending but apart from a flashing shot that flew wide, they didn't really trouble Lambton in Emley's goals, Emley made changes, Carlos Rodrigues, Lawrence Sorhaindo and Kieran Ceesay replaced Joe Stacey, Thompson and Manny Mampala respectively and Emley would see the game out to take the derby day spoils and keep up the heat on leaders Redcar Athletic.

We have another West Yorkshire derby, our fourth in a row next when we make the scenic trip to Cobbydale to face Silsden next Saturday, but the first day of the new year belongs to Emley and their jubilant fans who created a fantastic atmosphere to play their part in a fine win.

F/T- Emley 3-1 Ossett Utd.

Attendance- 904

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker [c], Lindley, Farrar, Barks, Mampala, Clegg, Thompson, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs used- Rodrigues, Sorhaindo, Ceesay;
Unused- Baldwin

Goals- Thompson (3', 55', 70'p)

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Bailey Thompson.