Emley went down to a second consecutive 4-0 defeat in the Northern Premier League-Premier Division after a tough afternoon at title favourites Bury at Gigg Lane, but despite the scoreline, Emley didn't give in and kept battling until the end even though they were outclassed for most part of the game as life in step 3 becomes harder.

Things started fairly well for Emley, backed by a strong, noisy following in Bury's cavernous main stand, Emley looked to take the game to The Shakers straight from the off, an attack down the middle saw ex Bury man Gabby Johnson loop a header on but Bury had numbers back to deal with it, Sheppeard then found Stacey with a lovely cross field pass, Stacey delivered and the move ended with Haswell's shot being deflected for a corner, from the corner, Barks couldn't quite get to the overhit cross.

Bury were showing glimpses of their potent attacking force but Emley were marshalling them well, their first effort on 9 minutes flew off target, then a couple of minutes later, Bury were through again, Bottomley charged off his line to clear the danger and the Bury man crumpled to the ground, the hosts wanted a penalty but the referee gave a goal kick, but obviously didn't think the Bury man "dived" enough to earn a yellow card.

Despite Emley getting into good positions, they couldn't quite get the final ball or pass right and wasted a couple of free kicks in decent positions by over hitting them, another decent chance came and went though, Stacey again the outlet wide left following a short free kick move between Lindley and Johnson, then out to Stacey but the header from Cowgill sailed over, but Emley had made a fairly positive start.

However, the gulf in class soon started showing and Bury stepped up a gear or two and ended the game as a contest midway through the first half, another shot drifted wide before a remarkable passage of play saw Bury denied 4 times in 30 seconds, twice by brilliant reflexes by Emley keeper Bottomley and twice by the woodwork.

Bury kept coming and Emley were really struggling with the pace and movement of players who had both EFL and National League experience, another shot was well saved by Bottomley and then a further effort was fired over, but it was sadly, only delaying the inevitable, within a minute the Shakers had struck, a good move down their left cut Emley apart and the ball in was glanced home by Robinson.

And just 5 minutes later, Bury doubled their lead with an almost carbon copy of the first goal, once again, Emley were split open and the ball in from the left and a touch from Robinson beat Bottomley, Bury kept the foot on Emley's throat, The Pewits struggling to get out of their half and on 36 minutes, the contest was effectively over, a stunning 20 yard free kick flew past Bottomley and Bury were in total control.

But credit to Emley who stuck at it and managed to create another chance of their own, winning a corner, it was only partially cleared to Ejupi who played in Barks but he couldn't get his shot on target and then right before half time, after Haswell was partially dispossessed on the edge of the box, another corner was won but again, Emley couldn't work the keeper.

An enforced change saw Farrar hobble off to be replaced by Coban Bird.

H/T- Bury 3-0 Emley

There was a sense of damage limitation amongst the Emley supporters for the second half, they had been torn apart in a devastating 10 minute spell but they were right behind them, hoping for something to cheer eventually, Ejupi made forward advances right at the start but his attempted cross was blocked and Bury then attacked again but Bottomley was able to collect a weak ball.

Bottomley was then forced into another brilliant save as Bury hammered at the door, however, it was all in vain just a minute later as Bury struck for a fourth time, Evans picking his spot inside the area for his second and it really was all over for Emley before the hour mark, Bury kept attacking Emley but kept missing the target, one wide, one over and then another good save for Bottomley to keep it at four.

Stacey was replaced by Rodrigues as Emley looked for some kind of consolation, with the fans still with them and making plenty of noise, Emley won a free kick on the right, a decent ball in just eluded Johnson on his old stomping ground, The Pewits then fashioned another chance and a good one at that, Johnson harried and hustled his way past a defender and got his shot away but the keeper made the save.

Bottomley again had to make a save and then watch as Bury wasted another opportunity but a header went over, Emley made more changes, Hanson, Hardaker and Murray all came on for Sheppeard, Haswell and Lindley as Emley tried their best not to concede again, another Bury effort flew over the bar and into the Manchester Road End of Gigg Lane.

Coban Bird saw a skidding shot saved easily by the keeper but Emley were still looking for something for their supporters to cheer, a free kick on the right was lofted into the box and onto the head of Cowgill but he could only steer it wide, that would be Emley's last chance to register something as Bury were happy to play out time and claim the three points.

It was a tough afternoon, but one in which the reality of playing at this level once again hit home, despite being in the same league, Bury are effectively levels above Emley and it showed, but Emley can be proud of their efforts and the team and fans applauded each other and were then applauded by the sporting Bury fans at the end.

Another tough test next up as we welcome National League North Spennymoor Town in the FA Cup next Saturday.

F/T- Bury 4-0 Emley.

Attendance- 3,471

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Farrar, Lindley, Cowgill [c], Barks, Ejuipi, Haswell, De Girolamo, Johnson, Stacey:
Subs all used- Bird, Rodrigues, Hanson, Hardaker, Murray.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Ben Bottomley