Get in there: AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth celebrates during his side’s crucial 1-0 win over Pontefract Collieries. Picture: Mark Parson
AFC Emley are back at the top of the Toolstation NCEL Division One table after over-hauling now second-placed Pontefract Collieries with a 1-0 victory.
An excellent Ruben Jerome strike early in the first half was enough to seal the points in front over 200 people – the highest attendance in the NCEL yesterday.
In a game that was largely dictated by a strong breeze, neither side were able to get a fluent passing game going, with both keepers only having to deal with a hand full of efforts.
Pontefract were not helped when substitute Craig Rouse was sent off for a second bookable offence in the late stages of the game.
Emley took the lead when Jerome received the ball out on the left wing, cut in and drifted past three Pontefract players before firing a right footed effort into the bottom corner.
Emley were playing with the breeze in the first half and could have taken the lead minutes before the opener. Ashley Flynn showed great control in the Pontefract area, but he dragged his left footed shot wide of Craig Parry’s goal.
At the other end, Liam Radford hit a sweetly timed volley just wide of Adam Lawlor’s goal, whilst Nigel Danby saw his free header on goal blocked behind by Jerome.
Emley could have doubled their advantage just before the half time interval. Flynn drove into the box before pulling the ball back to Max Leonard who saw his subsequent shot well saved by Parry.
The second half was largely disrupted by the wind, with neither side able to create many telling chances, Radford fired a shot well wide after some decent work before the attempt.
Flynn had another great chance to grab Emley’s second of the game, with Pontefract hunting the equaliser. The striker managed to get behind the defence, however, Parry stood him up well and Flynn was unable to get a shot away.
With Pontefract throwing bodies forward in an attempt to grab a leveller, an Emley clearance rebounded and narrowly missed the post as it squeezed narrowly wide.
From the resulting corner, Rouse received his second booking as he knocked it on with his hand. This allowed Emley to close the game out and seal a vital three points.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Brook, Starkey, Leech, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Ingham, Leonard, Flynn, Tunnacliffe, R Jerome. Subs: Kenworthy, Jordan, Podmore, Brown, Townend.
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Heeley, Corbett, Danby (captain), Copping, Forgione, Catton, Joseph, Radford, Moxam, Conway. Subs: Rouse, Marsden, Handley, Bray.
Referee: Ashley Royston
Attendance: 221
Thanks to James Holder of AFC Emley for this report. If you want your club’s reports to be featured on Non League Yorkshire each week, send descriptions of key incidents and team lists to info@nonleagueyorkshire.com