Emley 2-3 Atherton LR

Emley were beaten for the first time in 8 games by a clinical Atherton Laburnum Rovers side at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, an Atherton side that came to Emley on the back of 7 straight defeats in all competitions, but showed why no team can be taken for granted in this league.
It probably appeared to be another routine defeat and a step to another win for Richard Tracey's men when Emley took the lead within 2 minutes, a free kick from Rob Bordman was floated into the danger zone and Jack Steers, did exactly that, planting his header into the bottom corner.
A lot of fans thought they could stand and watch a big win, but they were to be proved wrong, Atherton Gradually making their way into the game, but not before another couple of good chances for Emley, first, Callum Charlton beat his man and put a cross in for Bordman but his shot was saved the by the keeper.
But LR, kept on pushing Emley bacl and with their pacy frontline were causing Emley's back 3 plenty of problems on the run and not allowing wing backs Dawson and Gibson to get forward, it was one of those pacy runs that led to Rovers' first meaningful shot, the dangerous Connor Comber putting his shot on the run wide.
Atherton were by now on top and playing some really good football on Emley's lush, green, grass pitch and Emley were struggling to cope with it, and it was no surprise at all when another attack, saw the defence split and a right wing cross was met by Comber to bury it past George Clarke.
Atherton came again, Comber again, tying the Emley backline in knots, but the shot went just wide, Clarke was then forced into a good save as the relentless attacks kept on coming, Emley were completely out-everythinged in midfield as the visitors were fully in control, Clarke watched as a free kick flew narrowly wide.
Emley tried in vain to get back into the game and a free kick of their own was put wide by Bordman, who then tried with an overhead kick from a good cross, Emley finally found a bit of ascendency as the first half wore on, going from a back 3 to a back 4 seemed to have some joy, Bordman with another free kick from a wide angle whch flashed across the goalmouth, and then the hardworking Callum Charlton burst through on the right before firing a shot that was turned round for a corner, at that was the last action of the half,which, in all truth was dominated by the visitors.
H/T 1-1
Emley, as is often the case, started the second half shooting towards the Richard Hirst shed and as usual, it started well for them, another Bordman free kick was whipped in but evaded everyone and goes wide, then neat interplay between Finn Donovan, who showed great desire to nick the ball of the Atherton defender, he put a lovely weighted ball into the centre for Charlton, who took too long to decide what to do and the keeper managed to smother the danger.
Emley, worked another good move on the left, Jack Knight and Callum Charlton but the cross-shot is put out for a corner.
Then it was the the visitors turn to dominate possesion again, Clarke, called into action again to make a fine save from a nice chip, it was a warning for Emley, as it wouldn't be the last time.
With the game finely in the balance, Atherton were frustrating Emley with niggly fouls, time wasting and moving the ball etc, and that frustration became even more apparent , when they finally took the game away from the Pewits, Comber, yet again involved in the build up, a corner wasnt dealt with and Nathan Strong fired home, and just 2 minutes later, Emley's frustrations got even worse as Comber grabbed his second and LR's 3rd, with a lovely lob on the run from 18 yards out that beat Clarke, to the delight of the good contingent of travelling fans, who enjoyed some good, light hearted banter with the Emley "ultra's" in the shed.
Emley were shell shocked, but in all fairness, the scoreline reflected the game, but Emley didn't give in, heads didn't drop and they went looking to get back into the game, sub Sam Clayton was played in but couldn't unwrap his feet quick enough and the keeper saved, then the moment Emley knew it wasn't their day, good work again on the left involving Charlton, his cut inside and shot beat everyone except the left back who somehow managed to get back and clear as the ball was heading into the back of the net.
Sam Clayton then had a free header from a free kick which he put narrowly over the bar, but the big sub would get his reward a few minutes later, a neat cross after a bout of pressure and Clayton turned the ball into the net from 6 yards, Emley then put the visitors under more pressure as the injuries and time wasting added up to well over 5 minutes added time, Charlton's shot was saved by the keeper, and the Emley 11 then saw his header clear the crossbar as the referee blew for time and the cheers from the visiting fans rang out.
In what was at times, scrappy, but entertaining nonetheless, i don't think anyone could have any qualms about the result, Atherton played extremely well, far better than their form showed and played some really good, pacy football at times and knew when to lay on the dark arts too, nothing wrong with that, Emley were off the boil for the second game running, but this time there would be no saving grace as the points headed back over the pennines with the Laburnum Rovers!
Emley's next game is at home to Daisy Hill on Saturday 9th November with a 3.00 kick off at the Fantastic Welfare Ground.
F/T 2-3
EMLEY- Clarke, McManus, Gibson, Claisse, Riordan, Steers, Dawson, Glavin, Bordman, Knight, Charlton; Subs used- Donovan, Clayton; Unused- Gill, Coker, Rose.
Goals- Steers (2) Clayton (87)
Attendance- 121
Hepworth Group Man of the Match - Tom Claisse