Emley came away from Warrington after a 4-1 defeat but will probably be rueing a missed opportunity and missed chances in an otherwise decent performance.

If ever there was a game where the scoreline didn't reflect a game, this was it, Emley were by no means second best and for large spells of the game were the better team, unfortunately, once again, we found out the hard way that if you don't put your chances away and if switch off in defence, teams at step 3 will punish you, it happened on Tuesday against Workington and it's happened again.

On a strange, warm and sunny October afternoon, Emley started well, Edy Maieco on his first start caused Rylands plenty of problems, an early free kick for Emley was cleared but the Pewits kept on coming,Maieco again was a handful, creating the chance for Coban Bird to fire the games' first shot over, Emley didn't look like a team that has suffered 4 straight heavy defeats as they took the game to their hosts.

Emley's next foray came just after 5 minutes when good work by Stacey saw the ball delivered into Alex Kiwomya who could only head straight at the keeper against his former club, just 2 minutes later and Maieco and Coban Bird combined well, Maieco again galloped his way past the defender, he played a nice ball into Kiwomya, who then teed up Bird but he got too much on the shot and it flew over.

It had been all Emley in the opening 10 minutes but then Rylands were gifted their first real opportunity as we lost possession but the shot was wide of the target, and as so often happens, and especially with Emley, we were punished 2 minutes later, a defensive lapse allowed Wood to stab home the opening goal, in only their second real attack. Moments later, Bottomley had to claw a looping cross over the bar for a corner..

Emley looked to get straight back into it and once again, enjoyed down our left, Stacey and Maieco combining this time but Stacey couldn't get decent purchase on the shot to trouble the keeper, the Pewits then dominated for the next few minutes, forcing Rylands back as we pushed for an equaliser, Maieco blazed over after a couple of corners kept the pressure on and then Stacey found himself in a great position in the inside left but possibly took the wrong option to look for a team mate rather than shooting, although the angle did look awkward.

There was less than half an hour on the clock and Emley had created numerous chances but failed to take any of them, another Emley attack then saw Kiwomya get into the box but he was snuffed out and the cross back in was dealt with by the keeper. The action then moved to the other end as a Rylands free kick was sent wide and 2 minutes later another chance went begging as they fired wide.

Emley were still the better side tough and causing problems nearly every time we surged forward but our lack of a cutting edge cost us dearly again, a great chance for Emley, this time, Maieco caused problems on the right, the ball in was only partially cleared to Bird but again, the shot was wayward and didn't trouble the keeper.

Then, as is often the case, Emley were hit by a second Rylands goal, after another attack had broken down, Warrington then surged upfield where Wood was on hand to bang in his second, it was probably always likely to happen after Emley's profligacy at the other end. Emley went into the break two goals down after dominating for large periods of the first half.

H/T- Warrington Rylands 2-0 Emley.

The second half sadly took a similar pattern for Emley who must be wondering when, if, their luck will change, but they again tore into their hosts from the start of the half, good play in midfield by Bird and Lindley created space out right where Hardaker slung a dangerous ball in but Barks was forced to win a corner instead which was cleared, Emley kept at it, and a good switch of play found Kiwomya who also won a corner but again, Rylands cleared.

Then, a lifeline for Emley with a fine goal, patient build up play saw the ball eventually played out to Ross Hardaker, more familiar on the left and his ball in was a superb one and right onto the foot of Charlie Barks to steer home to the delight of the travelling fans, it was no more than Emley deserved and it was the first league goal scored by an Emley player since Laurence Sorhaindo netted an equaliser across town at Warrington Town at the end of August!

Right back in it now, Emley now looked to use this confidence to try and get an equaliser here, Kiwomya's neat turn and shot was saved but there was an offside flag already up and then tenacious stuff saw Lindley win possession and play in Joe Stacey on the left, but unfortunately Stacey lost his balance as he was about to strike and the ball screwed wide of the post, but Emley were certainly in the game.

Emley keeper Ben Bottomley was almost a spectator at this point, but was called into action, saving a shot low down to his left, just two minutes later, Emley had the stuffing knocked out of them again by a third, controversial Rylands goal, an attack down Emley's left saw Hardaker do well to get goal side of his man, he looked to be tripped from behind and was sent sprawling, the ref waved play on and Rylands did just that with Wood burying his hat trick past Bottomley with a good strike, but Emley were furious with the decision.

But credit to them, they didn't sulk or go into their shell but carried on pushing forward looking for a way back, good play by Sheppeard to win possession deep inside the Warrington half and Clegg to keep momentum going, the lofted ball in fell nicely for Maieco, who saw an acrobatic kick well saved by the keeper and you started to think that was once, Emley are getting very little going right for them.

Personel, positional and tactical changes were made as Emley desperately tried to get something out of the game, Haswell, Ejupi and Clayton were brought on and all were involved heavily as Emley continued to attack their hosts but with little reward, a further chance saw Murray replace Stacey and once again, Emley were creating chances, with the game edging towards 90 minutes, Bird showed some neat skill and strength to create an opening for Hayden Lindley to smash one, but again, the target was missed but not by much as the ball fizzed over the bar, Kiyani Clayton then had a go from out left as he spotted the keeper off his line but couldn't direct the shot on target.

Emley must have created at least 15 opportunities in this game but are finding out how cruel this level can be if you don't take them, Rylands, on the other hand created probably 5/6 opportunities and took 4 of them, and with Emley still pushing for a second goal, they were hit on the break once again as Hardcastle drove home their fourth in the 9th minute of added time, it was extremely cruel on Emley, who had played as well as we have for most of the season but just didn't take advantage when we they were on top.

Rylands showed that being experienced, composed and clinical wins you matches at this level, Emley were once again outsmarted when it mattered rather than being outplayed or outfought, despite the result, Emley were roundly applauded by both sets of fans for their efforts and many of the Rylands contingent were honest enough to admit the result was harsh on Emley, but performances don't win points, goals do and unfortunately, Emley are in a rut at both ends, we have a vital game up next on Tuesday against fellow strugglers Bamber Bridge at home.

F/T- Warrington Rylands 4-1 Emley.

Attendance- 311

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard [c], Hardaker, Lindley, Hanson, Barks, Bird, Clegg, Maieco, Kiwomya, Stacey;
Subs used- Haswell, Ejupi, Clayton, Murray;
Unused- Johnson

Goal- Barks (51')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Coban Bird.