Emley returned home from their trip to Staffordshire with maximum points following another impressive performance to see off Leek Town and move up to 8th in the NPL Premier Division.

It was a patient, hard working, but ultimately rewarding win, Emley's second successive win and second unbeaten away game wasn't secured until late on and we were then forced to defend strongly to see it out.

It was a fairly slow start to the game, with neither side creating much on Leek's plastic carpet, Charlie Barks was alert early on though to clear up the first real attack from Leek and then 10 minutes in, the first shot, but Emley keeper Ben Bottomley was happy to watch it roll wide, five minutes later and the hosts looked to attack again but a fine defensive block saw off the danger, Emley then went up the other end and won a throw in, deep into Leek's half but it came to nothing.

Leek then put Emley under a bit of pressure, a shot was dragged wide and then the ball came back at Emley but Cowgill headed a dangerous looking cross clear, Cowgill then created a chance for Emley, casually strolling out of defence with the ball, he was allowed to travel over the halfway and eventually deep into Leek territory where he put in a decent cross, the move ended when a Leek defender crumpled under a slight touch from Stacey at the far post.

Emley had come into the game a little bit more now and were pushing on, but after winning a free kick which was somewhat wasted, Leek countered but Ejupi and then Bottomley cleared the danger, Emley then threatened to open the scoring, a corner was won which was only partially cleared to Di Girolamo who fired our first attempt wide.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Leek took the lead then and somewhat fortunate too, the initial attack ended with Bottomley making a decent save but the ball was kept in play, recycled and this led to a second shot which Bottomley, diving low to his right, appeared to push onto the post, but unfortunately, the ball hit the post and then rebounded off his own back into the net .

It was tough on Emley who had defended well until that point, but Emley didn't let it affect them and they were soon causing their own problem, Johnson and Thompson combined up front but couldn't find the killer final ball and Leek were able to come away with it, but just a minute before half time, Emley did restore parity, Emley won a throw on the left and Stacey's ball in was only partially cleared to the edge of the box where Aaron Haswell was on hand to smash past the keeper to make the half time refreshments a bit sweeter.

H/T- Leek 1-1 Emley.

A half time substitution for Emley saw Alex Kiwomya replace Bailey Thompson, and it was Leek who manufactured the first shooting chance but the shot was tame and enabled Bottomley to make the save low down, there was a lull in the game with neither team being able to create any noteworthy chances before Leek sprung into action, a direct ball out of defence saw a flick on and then a shot which Bottomley again was equal to, he was on his toes again a couple of minutes later as a neat, curling effort was saved.

Emley were starting to get some joy in and around Leek's box, some neat passing and moving saw them shift the ball from side to side and then into channels, this patience allowed Johnson and Kiwomya to create a good chance but the final shot from Kiwomya was saved, but there was a feeling that Emley were just about getting on top.

Saying that, Leek did create another shooting chance themselves but no work needed for Bottomley this time as the shot was off target, Emley then introduced Ellis Farrar for Joe Stacey with Hanson moving further forward and this seemed to work in Emley's favour, Hanson was a good outlet, hugging the left touchline, it was from this touchline that Emley's next great chance came from.

Good work by Hanson and Kiwomya forced a corner which was cleared but only as far as Haswell who played it back out left, the ball in was a beauty and despite Barks diving full length, he couldn't get a touch on it to turn it home.

Emley were constantly pushing Leek back now and looking dangerous going forward, Leek tried to stem the tide by making subs and slowing it down but Emley were too savvy for that and kept on forcing the issue and with the game entering the final 10 minutes, the Pewits struck the final and ultimately, winning blow, a great move saw Kiwomya break free and bisect the defence, he bided his time well and timed the pass well into the feet of Gabriel Johnson who tucked it home inside the far post right in front of the jubilant travelling support.

It was to be Gabby's last action as he had run himself into the ground, he was replaced just two minutes later by Sorhaindo, Emley, with the lead, sat back a little and didn't overstretch, this allowed Leek to push on a little bit, they had a penalty claim dismissed with 5 to go and then with the game heading into an added 4 minutes, had another waved away as desperation set in.

It was then down to Bottomley to secure the points with two good saves in stoppage time, one of them was a beauty, pushing a rasping shot onto the bar which then bounced out and allowed the Pewits defence to clear. It was in a cool, Staffordshire, night air that was filled with cheers from the Emley supporters that greeted the final whistle, a third game unbeaten, a second straight win and we now found ourselves just outside the play off spots!

Albeit with only 4 games gone! but it's still nice to see Emley up at the top again, we now welcome one of the favourites for the title, Ashton United to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday.

F/T- Leek 1-2 Emley.

Attendance- 502

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

Goals- Haswell (44') Johnson (80')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Aaron Haswell.