Emley picked up a point on their return to the Northern Premier League Premier Division with a well earned draw at Hyde United in our opening game of 2026-27.

A clear and warm day in East Manchester greeted the sides who both looked to ease themselves into the new season, clear cut chances were limited in the opening period, with neither keeper being fully tested, Emley's Ben Bottomley caught a couple of crosses before Emley's first real attack saw a long throw by Joe Stacey cleared, another throw from the opposite side caused a little bit of chaos in the Hyde box but the final ball back in was caught by Hyde keeper Eastham.

Emley were slightly on top at this point and looking to stretch the home defence, eventually a chance opened up for Diego Di Girolamo to strike on the volley but he slashed it well wide, Hyde then got on the front foot and started to cause problems for Emley, Bottomley was called into action to get down low to save a flashing shot before the games' first 'hydration break'.

Emley then put a cracking move together as Johnson and Di Girolamo combined on the edge of the area, unfortunately neither of them could get sufficient time and space to get a shot on target before a Hyde boot cleared for a corner, which was then cleared by the home defence, Emley then had to defend as a neat chip from the edge of the D saw Bottomley at full stretch to tip it over the bar, Emley were relieved when a massive penalty claim for handball was waved away by the ref who gave ball to hand, Hyde were far from happy with the decision.

Despite finishing the half stronger, the home side couldn't pierce a strong Pewits defence, marshalled well by Bottomley on his full debut for Emley and we went into the break goalless.

H/T- Hyde Utd 0-0 Emley

It was the hosts who started the second half on the front foot, an early break saw a booking for Ellis Farrar who had to stop the breakaway by means of fouling, it would the the only yellow card in a fairly competitive encounter, the resulting free kick was well wide, to Emley's and Farrar's relief, but the Tigers kept coming back at Emley, another fine save from Bottomley denied the hosts the opener when he got down low to save a rasping shot.

Hyde's next chance came from an Emley attack, the ball found Stacey wide left but Hyde cleared and raced away downfield, but thankfully, the attackers' touch was a poor one and Emley survived again, it was all hands to the pump for the Pewits, Sheppeard made a couple of vital tackles to stop attacks and was then on hand to set up Emley's best chance of the half so far.

Emley attacked down the right, fellow debutants Alex Kiwomya and Di Girolamo combined this time to set up Stacey but was cleared away, at the other end, another Hyde attack finished with a weak header that dropped wide before another break in play for drinks.

Substitutions then broke up much of the flow of the game, Emley introduced another debutant, Rinor Ejupi replaced Farrar and then Hanson came on for Kiwomya who hobbled off but took the applause of the travelling support, another effort from Hyde was gathered low down by Bottomley.

Now entering the final stages and Sheppeard was again on hand to clear his lines with a fantastic, brave header at the back post from an equally good header from a corner and following that, a tame volley by Hyde was easily gathered by Bottomley who enjoyed a fine competitive debut for Emley, another debut, this time for Jamie Murray who replaced Aaron Haswell, another one making his full debut as Emley looked to hold on for a point.

The Emley fans, who as usual travelled in good numbers, thought they had a chance of snatching all 3 as a good move ended with Lindley firing one in from the edge of the box but it took a deflection and the corner was cleared, there then came a controversial moment in the game as Hyde had a goal disallowed in the last minute.

A throw on their left took a glance and crept in to the delight of the home players and supporters, but the officials saw a push on Bottomley who was prone in his goal and disallowed the goal after appearing to give it initially, Hyde were very unhappy with this decision but it appeared to be the right one.

Laurence Sorhaindo replaced Gabby Johnson and it was he who had Emley's last effort, letting off a shot on the turn but the keeper gathered easily, the last action of the game then saw Bottomley with another good save to deny the Tigers at the death, an opening day point then for the Pewits and an excellent defensive showing with Man of the Match Bottomley earning his stripes along with the rest of the team.

A point on the road is a decent start to the new season as we now look to two home games when Ilkeston and then Curzon Ashton visit on Tuesday and Friday respectively.

F/T- Hyde Utd 0-0 Emley

Attendance- 589

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Farrar, Lindley, Cowgill (c), Barks, Kiwomya,Haswell, Di Girolamo, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs used- Ejupi, Hanson, Murray, Sorhaindo;
Unused- Thompson.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Ben Bottomley