Max Leonard celebrates putting AFC Emley ahead at Shirebrook. Picture: Mark Parsons
A late goal denied AFC Emley in their bid to revitalise their promotion hopes in the 1-1 draw at Shirebrook Town.
Max Leonard gave the visitors the lead midway through the second half as he cut in from the left flank and blazed an effort into the top corner.
However, Emley skipper Paul Sykes, who was playing in a holding midfield role, felled a Shirebrook forward as he made a run into the box and conceded a penalty, also receiving his marching orders in the process.
Kieron Watson stepped up and struck his effort into the bottom corner, although keeper Jordan Porter managed to get a hand to it, not enough to turn the ball away.
The draw ends Shirebrook’s hopes, but leaves Emley needing a few snookers to get back into the reckoning.
Emley gave starts to two development squad players in the form of Joe Egemole and Sam Scrivens. With Egemole proving to be a perfect match for the Shirebrook frontline, whilst Scrivens and Josh Ingham formed a good partnership down the Emley right.
Emley nearly took an early lead as a Michael Tunnacliffe free kick caused confusion in the Shirebrook penalty area, Sam Jerome managed to get the ball to the feet of Steven Kenworthy, however, the striker poked his effort into the side netting.
The first half proved to be one without many clear cut chances, with both sides having a number of set pieces, but not managing to make either keeper work.
It was just before half time when Porter was forced into his first meaningful save of the game. Liam Morris struck a first time volley from outside the area at goal, which required the former Huddersfield Town youth stopper to tip over the bar.
The second half saw more goal mouth action with Leonard cutting in off the left but firing an effort well over the bar, whilst at the other end Matt Sykes forced Porter into a good save with a stinging effort.
Scrivens showed the travelling Emley support glimpses of what he could offer to the side as he ran down the Shirebrook right, before hitting a ball across the face of goal which was just out of Doran Jordan’s reach.
Emley took the lead through Leonard, who once again cut in off the left wing, but this time his effort found the back of the net, with Shirebrook keeper Dale Sheppard helpless in stopping it.
Shirebrook could have hit back almost immediately as Morris saw a free kick deflected off the head of Ryan Brook but straight into the hands of Porter.
Morris had two more chances to pull the hosts level as he nipped in and stole the ball away from Ingham, however he struck his effort straight at Porter. Whilst the strikers other chance was from a close range header which Porter saved well with his feet.
Once Shirebrook pulled level from penalty spot, the game was almost over, however, Emley had once last set piece attempt before the final whistle. Emley were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, but Leonard failed to clear the wall and the ball was deflected to safety.
AFC Emley: Porter, Ingham, Brook, Sykes, S Jerome, Egemole, Tunnacliffe, Leonard, Kenworthy, Jordan, Scrivens. Subs: Starkey, Quashie, Waller, Truelove.
Referee: David Evans
Attendance: 161
Thanks to James Holder for this report. If you want your club’s reports on Non League Yorkshire each week, send reports and team-lists to info@nonleagueyorkshire.com.