Jordan Coduri celebrates after scoring for AFC Emley in the 5-0 win over Glasshoughton. Picture: Mark Parsons
Glasshoughton Welfare were beaten for the first time under new joint managers Simon Houghton and Craig Wilkinson – 5-0 by superb AFC Emley.
On a heavy pitch Welfare struggled for much of the game against their high flying opponents and with better finishing Emley could have easily added to the score.
Managers Houghton and Wilkinson gave a debut to big centre half Spencer Clarke, who, despite the scoreline, looked a good addition to the team. There was also a second debut for striker Steven Bennett who scored on this ground three years ago to win promotion for Glasshoughton.
Bennett came close on six minutes when he rifled in a shot from the edge of the penalty area that home keeper Adam Lawlor saved at the second attempt.
A few minutes later Bennett had another shot blocked in the area and from the rebound Josh Morley looked certain to score but the ball was just knocked off his foot.
On sixteen minutes Alex Slack headed against the Welfare bar for Emley from a corner, but two minutes later another corner was not cleared and Paul Spicer rammed the ball past Jordan Watson to put Emley in the lead.
After half an hour Emley increased their lead. A cross from the left saw Watson rooted to the spot and Ruben Jerome headed home. Just after this Ashley Flynn had a great chance when he lobbed the ball over Watson but his effort went wide of the goal.
Welfare came back and Morley saw a drive fumbled over the bar by Lawlor. Emley were always dangerous going forward and Jerome saw a shot go just over the bar. A close range header then went straight into the arms of Watson
On the stroke of half-time Emley got a third when Jordan Coduri slammed the ball past Watson after some great play by the home players.
Three minutes into the second period Emley were four goals up when great movement on the Emley right wing saw the ball reach Flynn who poked past Watson.
Welfare again tried to come back with substitute Luke Durham hitting a shot just over the bar. For Emley Jerome cut in and hit a shot high and wide, but then, on seventy minutes Flynn got the fifth goal when he stabbed past Watson after good build up play on the right.
In the final stages Emley should have increased their lead several times but most notably Watson thwarted Flynn twice when the striker was through on goal with just the keeper to beat.
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Simon Houghton: ”There is no need to say a lot really.
“We were simply second best on the day. Conditions were not good but we go again on Tuesday in the cup against Pickering.”
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Coduri, Brook, Graham, Slack, Brennan, Tunnacliffe, Jerome (Scrivens), Flynn, Townend (Ryan), Spicer (Noteman).
Glasshoughton Welfare: Watson, Rollinson, Roamaniw, Clarke, Brearley, Hunter, Seed, Bate (Robert), Pollock (Durham) Bennett (Davies) Morley.
Referee: Sam Wright (Excellent in difficult conditions)
Attendance: 185
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.