AFC Emley attacker Alex Hallam scored the only goal in their 1-0 win at Knaresborough last night
Darren Hepworth hailed his players after AFC Emley held their nerve to earn a narrow 1-0 victory at Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion rivals Knaresborough Town.
Alex Hallam’s wonderful early second half goal broke the deadlock in a tight encounter at Manse Lane and recorded Emley’s third win in four league games.
Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire: “I think tonight we have showed what we can do.
“It was always going to be a tough game and it proved to be.
“Knaresborough are a very good side, very strong and very direct and not many teams will come here and get something.
“To come here on a Tuesday night and play as well as we did is fantastic. I thought we were great value for the three points.
“Knaresborough’s goalkeeper (Paul Hagreen) was unstoppable and outstanding and it was just about finding a way past him.
“In the first half we had seven or eight chances and should have had a penalty, but, in the end, I thought we coped with their threat pretty well.
“We came out for the second half and played the same way as we did in the first.”
Emley were the dominant team in the first half. Max Leonard hit the post from a long distance free kick, while Jordan Townend should have done better with a close range chance.
Knaresborough, whose main striker Colin Heath is not fully fit, did show brief glimpses of the dangers they possess.
A rare lapse in concentration in Emley’s back four allowed Jim Bradley to break clear. Unfortunately for Knaresborough, the excellent run was not matched by the finish.
Former Glasshoughton goalkeeper Hagreen’s best moment came midway through the half with his tremendous save to deny Ruben Jerome’s long range attempt.
Hagreen pulled off another top save early on in the second half from Jerome as the striker approached the goal.
The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark. Emley’s summer signing Nathan Perks demonstrated a piece of magic by showing incredible vision by spotting the run of Hallam.
Perks switched the ball across the pitch and sent Hallam through on goal. Hagreen raced off-his-line, but, Hallam kept his composure and lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper.
The goal was worthy of winning any match and Hepworth even ran 20-yards down the sidelines to celebrate with his players.
Leonard came close to doubling the lead when his effort flew wide.
Knaresborough threw on Venezuelan striker Hilliard Serrao in an attempt to salvage something from the match.
But, in reality, it was an off-night for Knaresborough as Brian Davey’s men failed to properly test Emley goalkeeper Adam Lawlor.
Emley’s back four, led by inspirational captain Paul Sykes, mopped up Knaresborough’s late attacks to secure all three points.
Knaresborough Town: Hagreen, Donnelly, C Radcliffe, Lenehan, Duerden (captain) (N Radcliffe 76), Bradley, Tuck, Gray (Serrao 80), Heath, Carole, Whitehead. Subs unused: Littlefair, Mortimer.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Leech, Starkey, Tunnacliffe, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Townend, Leonard (Ingham 79), Perks, R Jerome, Hallam (Schofield 79). Sub unused: Kenworthy.
Referee: Wayne Cooper
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 134
Man of the match: Paul Hagreen (Knaresborough Town)