Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley 5-0 Westella & Willerby
AFC Emley captain Kieran Ryan shoots for goal during the 5-0 win over Westella. Picture: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley went top of the pile after easing past Westella, but it could have been a very different end to the afternoon following a goal-less first half.
Emley are now a point ahead of Penistone, who lost 1-0 at home against fellow promotion-chasers Hallam.
The Humberside team survived wave upon wave of Emley attacks that started with a well-struck and equally well-saved Jordan Coduri shot in the opening seconds. After Liam Schofield’s drive hit the post and several other chances were blocked, held or put over, the Emley faithful were left scratching their heads at the interval over the 0-0 scoreline.
The flood gates opened soon into the second half with an uncharacteristic ‘route one’ goal. A long kick from ‘keeper Graham McLachlan put Emley two-on-two. Between them, Ash Flynn and Kieran Ryan bundled the ball through and it was captain Ryan who applied the finish.
Moments later Westella were down to ten men when the defender brought down Flynn as he prepared to shoot. Having won the spot-kick, Emley’s leading scorer dragged the resulting penalty wide. It was only a brief set-back however.
Emley’s second was certainly fortuitous, with the visiting ‘keeper left stranded the ball broke to Coduri on the right who hit first time to the empty net. About to celebrate, a last gasp hook away from the retreating defender left everyone guessing. In the end, the referee’s assistant gave the goal to huge protests from Westella.
With a two-goal and one-man advantage, Emley turned the screw and Flynn got his name on the score sheet twice in quick succession with two excellent finishes.
Emley continued to press and from a series of corners, defender Tom Brennan capped the five-star performance with a tap in on the line at the death.