AFC Emley defender Anthony Leech battles for the ball. Picture: Mark Parsons
By James Holder
AFC Emley suffered their first league defeat on home soil, as they lost 2-1 to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic in Toolstation NCEL Division One action, but had the chances to gain all three points.
It was the host’s who started the game in the ascendancy, Doran Jordan putting Steven Kenworthy through on goal, but the striker could only fire his shot over the bar.
Jordan was involved in the action moments later, this time finding the back of the net in the process. Emley earned a corner which Jordan Townend whipped in, finding the run of Jordan at the near post, the winger meeting it well and heading past Jared Oxley in the Worsbrough goal.
Emley thought they had doubled their advantage minutes later, once again coming from a routine set piece. Townend delivered once again, this time to the back post where Sam Jerome rose highest, his header looped towards the far post, but clattered into the crossbar and away to safety.
Ashley Flynn then became the main instigator of Emley’s attacks, first he was able to lose his man, however, he could only fire wide. Then he was able to break into the box, but fired his shot straight at Oxley. The striker then set Townend up for a volleyed attempt, but the midfielder’s volley went narrowly over the bar.
Doran Jordan puts AFC Emley ahead with a rare header. Picture: Mark Parsons
Jerome then had another chance to score from a corner, this time he was denied by a great save from Oxley who managed to throw himself across the goal mouth and push it away.
The visitors then started to find their way back into the game, just before the break. First Mark Stuart sent in a cross that was met by Brad Kerr, but he saw his header saved by Adam Lawlor. Then Declan Lycett met a Stuart corner, but could only head his effort wide.
The host’s began the second half much like the first, Danny Claridge found Flynn but he fired his shot wide.
Michael Starkey then saw a free kick saved well by Oxley, before Emley had a penalty shout turned down by the referee, a decision that aggrieved the players, management and fans alike.
The decision proved costly as the game turned in favour of the visitors. Second half substitute Adam Podmore put Kerr through on goal and he put the ball past Lawlor to restore parity.
Worsbrough then hit the woodwork after a goal mouth scramble from a corner. The Emley defence was able to clear the ball to safety, however it wasn’t long before Athletic did get the second goal.
A long range effort from the Worsbrough midfield was saved by Lawlor, however the ball went back into open play and Josh Evans was the first to react to the loose ball and fired home the rebound.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Leech, Starkey, Tunacliffe, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Townend, Jordan, Flynn, Kenworthy, Claridge. Subs: Noble, Hallam, R Jerome, Fish.
Worsbrough Bridge: Oxley, Miskell, Hoyland, Kokot, Evans, Lycett, Adgie, Broadbent (captain), Kerr, Jackson, Stuart. Subs: Owen, Podmore, Warren, Booker, Lane.
Referee: David Evans
Attendance: 165