Sam Jerome heads AFC Emley level in their 4-2 defeat at Rossington. Picture: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley lost their grip on top spot in Toolstation NCEL Division One after losing 4-2 at Rossington Main.
Goals from Josh Ingham and Sam Jerome brought Emley back from the dead in the second half, but two late goals earned Rossington all three points.
Rossington took an early lead when winger Brad Billam made his way into the Emley area before striking a left footed effort into the roof of the net, that left keeper Adam Lawlor stranded.
Rossington made it 2-0 just before the interval, when Cameron Johnson, a debutant after signing for Main as part of the club’s partnership with Doncaster Rovers, managed to find himself goal side of Paul Sykes before calmly slotting under the body of the advancing Lawlor.
The second half started much brighter for the visitors, a Michael Starkey free kick bouncing off the post, with Ingham diving in to head home the rebound.
The second half started brighter for the visitors, with Ingham heading a goal back from close range. Ashley Flynn came close to grabbing Emley’s equaliser however he volleyed wide from just inside the area.
Flynn nearly became the provider as his hook back was met by the head of Steven Kenworthy, but his header went wide.
The equaliser did come, Jerome rising highest to glance home a Tunnacliffe free kick. It could have been three, however Flynn saw his effort cleared off the line by a recovering defender.
At the other end, Emley nearly gifted the hosts the lead as Starkey was caught in possession by Holmes, he managed to chip the advancing Lawlor, but saw his ball cleared off the line in the nick of time by the recovering Jerome.
Then came the two goals in the space of a minute, with Johnson tapping in a Holmes cross, whilst Holmes coolly finished the game off when he slotted under Lawlor.
Following the goal, neither side created many telling efforts, Johnson struck an effort at Lawlor, whilst Tunnacliffe hit a long range effort into the body of Dye.
The result sees Emley move down to second in the league, but with the quick turnaround of games, a win over Winterton on Tuesday could see them reclaim the top spot.
Rossington Main: Dye, Smith, Shrimpton, Woodhall, Fielding, Hatton, J Johnson, Billam, McGhie, C Johnson, Holmes. Subs: Wildey, Baskerville, Rumble, Marquis.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Brook, Starkey, Leech, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Ingham, Leonard, Flynn, Tunnacliffe, Jordan. Subs: Kenworthy, Podmore, Truelove, Stevens.
Referee: Matt Tyers
Attendance: 100
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