Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley 2-3 Bottesford Town
Kieran Ryan gave AFC Emley late hope
AFC Emley look like they will have to settle for fourth place after losing to fellow promotion-chasers Bottesford Town at the Welfare Ground.
Bottesford only need one point to take third. It was a bitterly disappointing night for Emley which went from bad to worse from the beginning.
Goalkeeper Adam Lawlor went off injured in the warm-up, meaning right-back Iwan Heeley had to go between the sticks. Bottesford scored twice in the first half and then star striker Ash Flynn went off at half-time with a hamstring problem.
Bottesford scored again with 15 minutes to go before Kieran Ryan and Michael Tunnacliffe provided a late response for Emley.
Emley can’t blame their stand-in stopper either as Heeley is an accomplished goalkeeper himself. He once had trials for England schoolboys as a goalkeeper. He also stood in several times for Craig Parry at Pontefract last season.
The first two Bottesford goals were breakaways. Josh Nichols broke the deadlock early doors. Wayne Graves added the second in first half stoppage time.
Bottesford bided their time in terms of striking for a third time during the second half. The match descended into a flat and dull affair as Emley struggled to create opportunities. Danny Boulton then appeared to kill the home side off with another breakaway, just minutes after coming on as substitute.
Ryan gave Emley late hope with a brilliant curled effort from the left-hand side of the Bottesford penalty area. In another chance, the returning Ryan found the side-netting when it appeared easier to score.
A rare mistake from Bottesford goalkeeper Leigh Herrick did gift Emley captain Tunnacliffe a fortunate goal, but it was far too late to spark a dramatic finish.
AFC Emley: Heeley, Horsman, Slack, Graham, S Jerome, Brennan, Tunnacliffe (captain), Townend (Hallam 70), Flynn (Billington HT), Ryan, Coduri (Noteman 77). Subs unused: Sykes, Spicer.
Bottesford Town: Herrick, Gibbons, Cross, Ridley (captain), Donald, Goodhand (J Pembleton 77), Spall, M Pembleton, Bridge (Robinson 72), Nichol (Boulton 65), Graves.
Referee: Danny Jarvis
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 209