Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley 4-0 Dronfield Town
Kieran Ryan scored a hat-trick for AFC Emley in the win over Dronfield. Picture: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley did not need 70-goal hero Ash Flynn for the visit of Dronfield Town as his side-kick Kieran Ryan scored a hat-trick.
Flynn was given a rest for the reversed fixture because of other commitments, but Ryan, who has provided a big slice of his assists this season, stopped up to the plate.
The first chance fell to defender Sam Jerome, but he saw his header blocked by a Dronfield defender
Alex Hallam and Jordan Townend both had shots that went wide as Emley were knocking on the door, and playing some nice football.
One move saw goalkeeper Adam Lawlor’s long throw collected by Ryan, who played it down the wing for Ruben Jerome. He lifted a cross to the back post, where Townend was and his ball inside found Tunnacliffe, but his first time goal-bound effort was blocked as Dronfield defended well.
The away side ventured forward, with Lee Anthony running at goal, only for Lawlor to smother the ball at his feet.
Emley then got the breakthrough following a corner from Tunnacliffe which got a flick on at the near post from a Dronfield player before it was turned into the far corner by Ryan for his 20th of the season.
Michael Akhavan-Hezavem attempted to test Lawlor with a volley, but it ended up being comfortable for the goalkeeper.
It was another nice move that led to Emley’s second. The move started with Iwan Heeley, who was impressive on his debut, with the ball ending up with Ryan who played it into Tunnacliffe, and he slotted past the on-rushing goalkeeper Steve Booth which gave Emley the lead at the break.
The exact same combination nearly paid off again at the start of the second period, but this time Tunnacliffe’s effort was saved by Booth.
There was a brief scare when Blake Owen had the ball in the back of the net for the away side, only for the assistant to have his flag up.
Ryan managed to get his second after taking on his man and unleashing a low shot across the goalkeeper, finding the bottom corner to make it three.
Not long after Emley won a penalty, again after some flowing football down the left hand side. Ryan stepped up to seal his hat-trick, sending Booth the wrong way.
Heeley and Ruben Jerome combined down the right, but Jerome fired over at the near post. Tunnacliffe also had an effort go over the bar.
Dronfield rarely threatened after that, with Ashden Morley shooting wide following a rare attack in the second half.
Emley nearly made it five, andRyan nearly had his fourth of the game but his thundering effort hit the post towards the end.
The win puts Emley four points off AFC Mansfield in second, with a game in hand on them.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Heeley Coduri, Graham, S Jerome, Brook, Tunnacliffe (captain), Townend, R Jerome, Ryan, Hallam. Subs: Daffern, Slack, Horsman, Kemp, Noteman.
Thanks to Josh Lindley for this report.