Emley go a third game unbeaten after a hard earned point against one of the NPL Premier Divisions' title favourite in Ashton Utd.

Both sides will maybe feel they could have picked up all 3 points but in truth, there was very little to separate the sides in a keenly fought contest at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Ashton came into the game with 3 wins from their previous 4 games and they started the brightest but they failed to create anything noteworthy, Emley meanwhile took a while to get going but then had the games' first shot when Gabby Johnson's shot flashed wide of the far post, Ashton then had their first shot but Ben Bottomley was on hand to dive low to make a comfortable save.

The next effort took a while to come as Ashton nicked the ball outside Emley's area but the shot was wayward, Bottomley then had to make another routine save as the visitors looked to assert their authority, but they were forced onto the back foot as Johnson made a fine tackle at the other end, he then created a shooting chance for himself but it didn't trouble the keeper.

Another Emley attack saw Joe Stacey make inroads down Emley's left, but his ball across the box evaded everyone in claret and blue, Ashton then broke down the other end to earn a corner but Emley were firm in defence to clear their lines, Emley then had to defend again as Ashton created chaos in the box, first, a fine well timed tackle by Ejupi was followed by Barks blocking the goal line shot, Emley then ended the half with a corner but Haswell couldn't direct his back post header on target.

H/T- Emley 0-0 Ashton Utd.

Emley started the second half well and earned an early corner, but the delivery bypassed everyone and then ten minutes later, the Pewits created their best chance of the game so far, Ejupi skipped into the area and around the defender, his ball across face of goal was missed by another defender and fell to Di Girolamo who saw his shot crash off the bar, his follow up effort was then cleared.

And Ashton then showed how quickly a football game can change by going down the other end to open the scoring with a well placed shot on the turn from Willoughby. Emley looked to hit back though and Johnson found some space for a shot but he couldn't get enough force to beat the keeper.

However, just a minute later and Emley would get their equaliser and Johnson played a major role in it, his persistence paid off as he managed to get the ball to the feet of Diego Di Girolamo who this time buried his shot past the diving keeper at the shed end and we were all square again.

Ashton won a free kick in a dangerous position on their left, but the shot was fizzed across the box and out for a goal kick as Emley made their first change with a direct swap at right back as Sheppeard replaced Ejupi, it was Sheppeard who then had Emley's next effort by blasting over the shed roof before Johnson again muscled his way into the area to win a corner but Ashton cleared and then Emley were caught offside.

Stacey then gave way to Thompson as Emley were then forced on to the back foot to clear a dangerous Robins attack, a good run by Sheppeard earned another Emley corner, Barks made contact at the back post as he headed on to Cowgill who then headed wide, Ashton then also saw a header go wide as the game entered added time.

Neither side could create anything of note in the extra time and so a point each was awarded meaning Emley go 3 unbeaten now with a trip to Redcar Athletic to come on Tuesday.

F/T- Emley 1-1 Ashton Utd.

Attendance- 412

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

Goal- Di Girolamo (63')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Hayden Lindley.