Emley suffered a third league defeat in a row after they were beaten by Workington in a proverbial game of two halves in the NPL Premier Division at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, however there was tangible disappointment at the full time whistle as Emley showed just what they're capable of with an excellent first half showing.

The Pewits looked refreshed, ambitious and full of confidence in an open first half in which Emley scored and were probably unfortunate not to have had a bigger half time lead, however, that was all undone as the visitors stormed back in the second half to win the game and leave most of the 305 present disappointed.

Emley were on the attack from the start and troubled the Reds defence after only a minute but they managed to clear, a few minutes later and Stacey and Kiwomya combined on the left to win a corner but Barks couldn't get his header goalward and Workington cleared their lines, Emley's next attack saw Lindley power forward to the edge of the box and then Haswell fired a shot over the roof. Workington's first foray saw them cut inside and shoot but Bottomley gathered easily.

Another Workington chance and a good one on 12 minutes, a ball through split the Emley defence but thankfully, the shot was sliced wide. The game was already starting to open up with both sides pushing forward, a good Emley move saw Johnson slide Ejupi in but the ball just ran away from Rinor, at the other end, a cross from the visitors flashed across goal, no one could get to it and it went wide.

Emley continued to attack and push forward and were finally rewarded on 20 minutes, a super run down the left from Kiwomya, he played a lovely squared ball into the mixer and fortunately for Emley, it took a deflection of a Reds defender and trickled past the keeper, it was no more than the Pewits deserved.

With their confidence up, Emley looked to push on even more and try and get a second, just two minutes later, Kiwomya again caused problems in the visitors defence and following a good move, his shot fizzed narrowly wide, still, Emley attacked, at times, they were slicing Workington open with ease with good movement and well timed passing moves, Emley had a penalty shout as Danny South tumbled in the area, South then set up his centre back partner Barks who shot wide.

It was all Emley for 10-15 minutes but then Workington sent a reminder that they are more than capable at this level, as they went down the other end and saw a chance cleared off the line by Barks after they opened up the Pewits defence on their right, the initial shot hitting the woodwork, a couple of other defensive blocks saw the Pewits escape.

Emley once again passed through the Reds and De Girolamo had a chance but the bounce of the ball beat him and he couldn't get sufficient purchase to get a decent shot away, then a minute or so later, another Pewits raid saw a corner which clattered off the bar and rolled along the line with the keeper beaten, bad luck for Emley, from the follow up, the ball was worked to Sheppeard who drove into space to get a shot away but the keeper did well to block, Kiwomya's follow up was also blocked and it was Workington's turn to survive.

There was a growing feeling that Emley needed that second goal but it just wouldn't come, they did everything but score! The next chance came and went and it looked like for all their efforts, Emley would only have 1 goal to show for it. With half time approaching, the crowd were desperate for that second goal to give us breathing space but it just wouldn't come! A great move saw Ejupi free in the inside right channel, his shot was saved initially, then it was worked out left to Kiwomya, his shot was blocked, and then with Workington firmly pushed back into their own area, Johnson set up De Girolamo inside the box but in an almost carbon copy of an attempt at the weekend, his shot hit the post and bounced away from goal and Workington survived again. More bad luck for Emley!

Right on half time, the visitors created a chance of their own but luckily for the Pewits the shot was blazed over, a good half from Emley but would they rue not adding a second goal?

H/T- Emley 1-0 Workington.

Sadly, the answer would be yes, as Workington turned the screw early in the half to turn the game completely on its head, despite Emley again starting well and forcing a corner, which saw debutant South head down and over, the Reds soon took over and caught Emley out with some direct and clinical play.

A ball over the top completely caught the Emley defence out and as Bottomley came out to try and close the gap, Hunter simply lifted the ball over him into an empty net for the equaliser, Emley looked to hit back immediately though and Kiwomya powered into the area but his ball into the danger area couldn't find anyone in claret and blue and Workington cleared.

Then the moment Emley fans were fearing came, Workington won a free kick on their left, the ball in was a good one and saw an unmarked Palmer rifle a powerful header past Bottomley to the delight of the the band of travelling Reds fans, Emley were undone within 8 minutes of the restart. It could have been worse for Emley when another ball in from the left just whistled past the striker who couldn't get a touch on it.

Emley were still in it though and almost bagged an equaliser when Stacey whipped in a cross for Ejupi at the far post but he headed wide of the target. Time for changes for Emley and a double substitution saw Ejupi and Haswell depart for Bird and Maieco respectively, Kiwomya was well off target with a free kick just past the hour mark.

Workington were on top and were enjoying the better of the possession and territory, they forced numerous corners which Emley managed to deal with, a couple of goalbound attempts by the visitors were also blocked and cleared as Emley were beginning to hold on and try and stay in the game. Another Emley sub saw Kiyani Clayton come on for his debut replacing Diego De Girolamo.

And Clayton made a bit of an impact, earning a corner with his first involvement but Workington cleared, another sub then saw Hanson replace Kiwomya which also saw South pushed up top with Hanson pairing up with Barks at centre back, Emley were almost caught again as a header flashed over and were then relieved when a lighting quick move down their left saw a shot cannon back off the crossbar and out of danger.

With time ticking down, Emley had chances to level, a long range effort from Barks was easy for the keeper and then a good spell of pressure on the Reds goal saw another corner cleared off the line from Clayton and the follow up from Bird was deflected wide, as we headed into 5 minutes of stoppage time, Emley had a glorious chance to snatch a point, great work from Clayton to hold off a defender and play in South but he tried to place his shot past the keeper but dragged it agonisingly wide of the post.

Then a moment of controversy, as Emley pushed for an equaliser their appeared to be a handball inside the area, huge appeals for a penalty were ignored by the officials.

Then the inevitable happened, Workington pushed upfield, Emley were all at sea in defence and a cut inside and a curling, 25 yard shot from Jacobs flew past Bottomley, although he got something on it, and that sealed the game and the disappointment for Emley who saw Barks limp off to be replaced by Hardaker.

Despite an encouraging first half, it fell apart in the second half, Emley created plenty of chances to have won this game but didn't take them and as the lessons keeps getting crueller, Emley are finding out that they will get punished at this level, we go again on Saturday with a trip to Warrington Rylands looking for our first win in 7 league games.

F/T- Emley 1-3 Workington.

Attendance- 305

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Stacey, Lindley, Barks, South, Ejupi, Haswell, De Girolamo, Johnson [c], Kiwomya;
Subs all used- Bird, Maieco, Clayton, Hanson, Hardaker.

Goal- OG (20')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Harry Sheppeard.