Emley finally snapped their run of 9 league games without a win after posting an impressive win at Stockton which saw the rampant Pewits go 3 up in the first half and held their nerve when the hosts looked to roar right back late on.

Despite the defeats and lack of wins, some of Emley's performance have been nowhere as bad the scorelines suggest, and there was another good showing at Stockton, it was a vital win in that it was against a fellow struggler, Emley's win meant the Pewits moved out of the relegation places and dropped the Anchors right in it.

There was no indication of what was to come as Stockton dominated the opening quarter, despite a blocked Emley shot after a minute or so, the hosts soon got on top, Bottomley rushing off his line to smother a good through ball, and then he tipped a shot over for a corner. Emley were conceding free kicks in dangerous areas but thankfully the hosts wasted most of them as they did with a couple of other efforts.

Then, Emley suddenly and brilliantly turned the game completely on its head, a quick break down our left saw Bird send a dangerous ball into the penalty area, Stockton failed to clear their lines and the ball then fell to Aaron Haswell to find the bottom corner from the edge of the area to give the Pewits an unlikely lead.

Bottomley was once again called into action not long after, another free kick from their left saw the Emley keeper soar to calmly catch the ball above the head of former West Ham and Ipswich striker Frank Nouble, and within minutes, Emley had stunned and completely silenced the Map UK Stadium, apart from the band of travelling supporters that is, the returning Niall Heaton and his thunderous long throw were the architects.

Emley won a throw deep inside Stockton's half on the right, Heaton stepped up and launched a delightful ball into the area, again, Stockton failed to clear and it fell to Joe Stacey to smash into the roof of the net to set off great celebrations in the Emley ranks, Heaton was then shown a yellow card for cynical challenge as Stockton looked to be through.

Stockton did threaten a comeback though and had Emley on the backfoot, Emley were forced to concede more corners and free kicks but the defence, marshalled superbly by Heaton and skipper Barks in the absence of Cowgill, dealt with them, Bottomley then pushed out another free kick but only to a yellow shirt but thankfully, he blazed it right out of the ground.

Emley almost had a third when another excellent move released Kiwomya, he skipped past a defender and played a lovely ball into the area but the shot from the impressive debutant, Lewis Gould took a deflection and then hit the post, Emley's now regulation woodwork hitter!

Another Emley shot flew wide as the Pewits were beginning to turn on the style, and their fans were sent into raptures by a beautiful third goal in just over 15 minutes, the Pewits worked it out to the right, Stockton sat back and stood off allowing Rinor Ejupi to set up and drill into the bottom corner, it was a little Emley dreamland in a small part of Teesside.

Emley have been less than clinical in recent weeks, but here they were right on the button, 4 shots on target, 3 goals, but they still had to work hard as Stockton looked threatening going forward, however, Emley were strong and together and saw off any danger to take a mightily impressive half time lead.

H/T- Stockton Town 0-3 Emley.

Like FC United on Tuesday, Stockton made a triple change at the break, but unlike FCUM, the changes didn't work for them as Emley kept the door firmly shut, it was Emley who created the first chance of the half, Gould looked like he was enjoying his Emley debut and his lovely cushioned lay-off found Haswell, but he couldn't repeat his first half effort, failing to muster enough power on the shot.

The Pewits were playing with confidence and playing some lovely football too, a great move saw another impressive youngster, Coban Bird rampage down the left to earn a corner and the applause of the Emley fans at that end, that ended up with another corner at the other side after good play by Haswell, but Haswell then fired over from the second effort.

It was going well for Emley, but there was still some dangerous Stockton attacks to deal with, which they did tremendously well, Gould was involved in our next big moment, great harrying by the Barnsley youngster earned a corner, that was headed behind for another one but this time the ball drifted over the bar. There was then a yellow card then for Stockton striker Scott for simulation for a pretty poor dive inside the Emley area.

Emley made a change with Clegg replacing Kiwomya and Cleggy was straight into the action, helping to put pressure on the defence to concede a throw which Heaton again got good purchase but as the ball came back to him at the angle of the area he blasted high and wide, another Emley corner then saw Clegg head wide.

With just about 10 to go, Stockton then got one back and made everyone of an Emley persuasion a little bit nervous, those nerves were eased slightly as Scott flew into a dangerous challenge as they looked to get another one back and was shown a second yellow and then a red, but the game still wasn't won for Emley yet.

Another heart stopping moment for Emley fans came when there was a foul right on the line of the penalty area, despite the fans fears of a penalty, the ref awarded a free kick, but the Pewits were able to clear, and then go on the attack themselves, this time, it was Clegg who was sent sprawling mere feet from the area, the free kick was only partially cleared but landed at the feet of Barks who had a dip but it was turned away for another corner which Clegg failed to get any control on a header.

Further changes saw Hanson and Sheppeard replace the very impressive youngsters, Coban Bird and Lewis Gould as Emley now looked to drop the Anchors and bring the good ship Pewits home, despite Stockton pushing for a second, Emley stood firm and managed to see the game out to earn our first league win and first away win since our 2-1 win at Leek in August.

There was relief as well as celebrations between fans, staff and players at the end as our dismal run was ended and we now look ahead to Tuesday's Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup tie with Worksop Town with Emley now unbeaten in two!

F/T- Stockton Town 1-3 Emley

Attendance- 543

Emley- Bottomley, Ejupi, Stacey, Lindley, Heaton, Barks [c], Bird, O'Connor, Gould, Haswell, Kiwomya;
Subs used- Clegg, Sheppeard, Hanson
Unused- Devine, Porritt

Goals- Haswell (18'), Stacey (24'), Ejupi (33')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- awarded to the whole team for their efforts to break the run.