Mikey Starkey ran into the arms of Darren Hepworth after raising the roof at AFC Emley with the only goal in the 1-0 win over Shirebrook
Promotion-chasing AFC Emley showed their ugly side to ensure they went three points clear at the top of the Toolstation NCEL Division One table.
Mikey Starkey’s superb first half free kick earned Emley a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fellow top two hopefuls Shirebrook Town at the Welfare Ground.
With second-placed Clipstone’s home game with Eccleshill United succumbing to the heavy rain, Emley were presented with a golden opportunity and Darren Hepworth’s men took it.
Whilst Emley were unaffected by the rain, the game lacked quality and had few chances.
The first half did have some frantic moments. Shirebrook were lively going forward and Emley’s defence were made to work for the entire 90 minutes.
But the away side paid the price for a silly challenge just outside the box midway through the opening half.
Matt Plant needlessly brought down Ash Flynn as the striker attempted to break through on goal and with the help of the assistant referee, the free kick was given.
Flynn, Jordan Townend were all stood over the ball, but it was the powerful left boot of Starkey, who stepped to smash it into the top corner.
The goal raised the roof at the Welfare Ground and Starkey celebrated by running into the arms of the jubilant Hepworth.
AFC Emley captain Paul Sykes receives a gift from the club after his recent 900th career appearance. Photo: Mark Parson
New Emley star Kurtis Noble challenges for the ball
Matt Plant receives a yellow card after bringing down Ash Flynn
Raising the roof: Mikey Starkey runs off after scoring for Emley
Emley celebrate in front of Darren Hepworth after Mikey Starkey’s goal
Emley nearly added a second late in the half. Alex Hallam’s cross was stroked just wide by lively winger Doran Jordan.
Ultimately Shirebrook did not make their chances count. Kieron Watson’s free kick on the stroke of half-time made Adam Lawlor tip the ball over the crossbar, but that was the only save Emley’s goalkeeper had to make.
Watson had two more free kicks from a similar position to Starkey’s goal. But, both attempts were poor as they both hit the Emley wall.
Emley did survive a scare on the hour. Watson had got past Lawlor and was only denied by substitute Danny Claridge’s quick reaction to clear the ball out of the six-yard box for a throw-in.
Emley showed all the hallmarks of champions in an excellent victory. Defensively Emley were sound and going forward a threat – like they always are.
Nine clean sheets and an unbeaten home record, the future looks bright at Emley.
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth:
“It was a very tight game and we knew it would because Shirebrook are a very well-organised side.
“We knew they had strong attacking threats – as do we.
“As it turned out it wasn’t free flowing football, but it was very competitive and very tight.
“I said to the players that it was one of those game where if you switched off for a split second you would get done.
“We knew we had to be at our very best concentration-wise.
“We changed our shape in the second half because they gave us a few problems in the first half.
“We played with a narrower shape which made us more compact and harder to break down.
“If we are going to win leagues and get promoted, we need to be hard to beat and we’re proving that.
“We have never been able to win ugly here, but this season, I look at victories at Eccleshill and today and that’s what it is about. I would take that every week.”
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Brook, Starkey (Claridge HT), Tunnacliffe, Jerome, Sykes (captain), Townend (Leech 70), Jordan, Flynn (Kenworthy 76), Hallam, Noble. Sub unused: Scrivens.
Shirebrook Town: McCormack, Dennis, Goodacre, Shepherd, Plant, Hanson, Thompson, Getliff (captain) (Morris 70), Moxam, York (Glaves 82), Watson (Becque 82).
Referee: Matthew Tyas
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 172
Man of the match: Sam Jerome (AFC Emley)
The full album of match photos will be posted onto our Facebook page after 12pm