Emley finished off their 2025-26 Northern Premier League Division One East campaign in fine style as a scintillating second half performance saw The Pewits thrash relegated Newton Aycliffe at The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Richard Tracey's men needed to win to have any hopes of finishing 3rd and earning a home play off semi final but also needed Pontefract to avoid defeat at Dunston to avoid another midweek trip to the north east, Emley lost last years' semi final at Dunston in stoppage time and have a poor record record up there, so there was double celebrations as Ponte did Emley a massive favour by beating Dunston!

There was little sign of the party atmosphere to come in the first half as Emley were workmanlike and patient rather than spectacular, with the visitors already relegated before the game, they could have proved to be real tricky opponents, but despite the scoreline, they did have their moments, Emley thought they had a chance of opening the scoring within 5 minutes but an offside flag denied Bailey Thompson, Emley then had a penalty shout waved away as Johnson went down.

Emley were looking for opportunities to attack but were also mindful that Cliffe could catch them out, on their first meaningful attack, a cross from their right was met with a weak shot that didn't trouble the Emley defence, Emley's next chance would come through Gabby Johnson, good work outside the box created space but the cross was deep and just wide.

It wouldn't be long before the party got started though as Emley started to put considerable pressure on the visitors and it paid off, a lovely ball from midfield found Niall Heaton who showed power and pace to create the chance and he stabbed past the floundering keeper for the games' opening goal, it was Heaton's first Emley goal since his return, his only previous Emley goal came in a NCEL game against Hemsworth in October 2022, he wouldn't have to wait that long for his next Emley goal!

Emley had the game by the scruff of its neck but stubborn defending and poor execution in the final third prevented Newton Aycliffe from conceding again before half time, Joe Stacey saw a dangerous cross collected by the keeper and then Johnson's shot was deflected over for a corner, Emley were then forced into an early substitution as Laurence Sorhaindo replaced Bailey Thompson.

The Pewits kept the pressure on though and were almost rewarded with a second but Heaton was denied by an offside flag, then neat work by Gabby Johnson created an opportunity but he probably gave himself too much to do and the shot finished up off target as we ended the half by doing our bit, however, with Dunston 1-0 up, it looked like another trip up the A1 was beckoning.

H/T-Emley 1-0 Newton Aycliffe.

The sun was shining, the ground was a picture perfect colour of mainly claret and blues with the odd orange, green and yellows shining through and also a bit of blue as a loyal band of fans from Newton Aycliffe hoped their team could bid farewell to the NPL with a good result, Emley though, had other ideas and turned in possibly their best 45 minutes of the season to date.

Within a minute though, the visitors were through as Emley were caught out at the back but a chipped shot was over Emley keeper Roxburgh and over the bar, down at the other end, Sorhaindo found himself with a half chance but couldn't get the power or precision on the shot, it mattered not though as Emley doubled their lead on the next attack.

Superb work by Sorhaindo took out a couple of defenders and played in Johnson, his ball in was only partly cleared by the Cliffe keeper only as far as Niall Heaton who blasted into the top corner to double his, and Emley's tally. It was double celebration however as news that Pontefract had equalised at Dunston had the Emley fans celebrating again just a minute later.

It got even better just 60 seconds later as the rampant Pewits put the hapless visitors to the sword, a good run by Stacey down the left was too good for the Aycliffe defenders, Stacey played a well weighted pass into the feet of captain Chris Dawson to smash home in front of a jubilant shed, a mad minute in the context of the season!

With Emley now in control of matters on the pitch and with things going their way up in Gateshead, Emley started to enjoy themselves, Sorhaindo again caused no end of problems for the defence earning a corner which was eventually cleared. The visitors then attacked themselves and were rewarded with a penalty at the Warburton end, thankfully though, the spot kick hammered off the post and then Roxburgh was down quick to save the rebound and Emley had got away with it.

Straight back down the other end and Johnson's tenacity against two defenders won a corner which again was cleared by a defence who were struggling to contain their hosts, it would take only another 3 minutes before Emley got their fourth and it was a beauty! Sorhaindo picked up the ball 25 yards out and exchanged passes with Johnson which sat up superbly for Laurence Sorhaindo to bury into the bottom corner.

Emley then made changes with the game in the bag, Heaton, Stacey, Johnson and the skipper, Dawson made way for Hardaker, Clegg, Nzondo and Boyle. Emley were then forced to defend as the visitors looked to pull one back, but Roxburgh was again sharp as he got down low to claim a ball in from the left, another chance was then wasted as the shot was badly mishit and skewed well wide.

Emley, as all good sides should, punished them and went back down towards the shed, the ball was moved left for Hardaker in acres of space, he looked up and picked out Kurtis Turner to rifle home via a deflection off the left hand post, within a minute it was six, another fine Emley moved found Laurence Sorhaindo who blasted home his second and Emley's sixth as the deflated visitors sank to the ground.

Another shot from the visitors flew well wide as the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground were having a party, a tremendous atmosphere in the sunshine was ratcheted up even more when news of a second Pontefract goal at Dunston came through, it meant Emley had all but secured third place and that Dunston would have to travel to Emley in midweek instead.

With Emley playing well and winning comfortably, all eyes and ears were on events in the north east, could Dunston get two back and spoil the Emley party? The answer was no, and Emley saw out the remainder of the game without really troubling the scoreboard again, two headers from Clegg and Farrar saw the game out as confirmation that Emley had indeed finished third and will host Dunston in the play off semi final on Tuesday.

Emley had done their bit emphatically but were helped enormously by West Yorkshire rivals Pontefract who despite seeing their own play off dreams shattered by Emley's draw there last week, helped their neighbours out, now it's all down to Emley!

F/T- Emley 6-0 Newton Aycliffe.

Attendance- 424.

Emley- Roxburgh, Sheppeard, Heaton, Lindley, Barks, Farrar, Turner, Dawson [c], Thompson, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs all used- Sorhaindo, Hardaker, Clegg, Nzondo, Boyle.

Goals- Heaton (23', 54') Sorhaindo (64', 78') Dawson (55') Turner (77')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Niall Heaton.