Hat-trick hero Ash Flynn scores one of his three goals in AFC Emley’s 8-0 demolition of Lincoln Moorlands Railway. Picture: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley retain top spot of Toolstation NCEL Division One, thanks to an emphatic 8-0 victory at home to Lincoln Moorlands Railway, writes James Holder.
Ashley Flynn bagged a hat trick in a game that could have seen more goals had it not been for some fine goalkeeping from Nathan Burrows.
The hosts made a quick start to the game, Max Leonard on hand at the back post to tap home a Steven Kenworthy cross.
Kurtis Noble came close to doubling Emley’s advantage when he unleashed an effort on goal, which forced Burrows into a good save.
Burrows was in action moments later when Leonard fired a rasping shot at goal from outside of the box, with the Lincoln keeper beating the ball away and to safety.
Emley did manage to find their second, this time Michael Tunnacliffe tapping in a Jordan Townend cross.
Noble then twice came close to adding the third just before the half time interval, first he tapped wide, whilst under pressure from Burrows, the second time he fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.
The second half saw Emley raise the tempo of the game with Leonard volleying narrowly wide of the goal, before seeing another effort on goal deflected wide.
Captain Paul Sykes then forced Burrows into a great save with a point blank header being turned over the bar.
The visitors then managed to force Adam Lawlor into his first save of the game, Alex Nicholls getting beyond his man, however, he could only scuff his shot straight at Lawlor.
Emley then managed to get their third, Tunnacliffe grabbing his second goal of the game, Leonard caused problems down the left wing, before crossing into the penalty area, where Tunnacliffe was on hand to tap home.
Leonard was back in the action moments later, this time his shot was deflected and Burrows was on hand once again to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Emley soon grabbed their fourth, two second half substitutes linking up in the process. Flynn tapping in from close range following some neat work down the left from Alex Hallam.
Another of Emley’s substitutes managed to get himself on the score sheet. Ruben Jerome managed to work his way into the box, before shaping to cross the ball into the six yard box, wrong footing Burrows and slotting inside the near post.
Flynn then came close to making it six for the home side. Some good passing football from the midfield and wide men, led to the ball breaking to the feet of Flynn who could only manage to fire over the bar.
The home side did make it six not long later, Leonard once again tormented the Lincoln back line, before crossing across the face of goal, finding Jerome at the back post who duly obliged in putting the ball into the net.
Flynn once again came close, this time he managed to turn on the edge of the area and get his shot away, however, Burrows was on hand to tip it around the post.
The striker did find a way past Burrows not long later, when he fired home a Townend cross.
Flynn completed his hat trick and the scoring for Emley when Hallam found him on the edge of the area, the front man turning and unleashing an effort which beat Burrows and nestled in the goal.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Ingham, Starkey, Leech, Brook, Sykes (captain), Townend, Leonard, Kenworthy, Tunnacliffe, Noble. Subs: Hallam, Podmore, R Jerome, Flynn.
Lincoln Moorlands Railway: Burrows, Parker, Rowe, Simpson, Ward (captain), Bescoby, Fry, Parkinson, Nicholls, Gillespie, Exumah. Subs: Bingham, Cross.
Referee: N Haycock
Attendance: 113