Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley captain Kieran Ryan is back from suspension
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth admits that the Division One promotion race is “exciting” for followers of the league.
Leaders Emley are in a neck-to-neck fight with five other teams for the two automatic promotion spots.
“It is a real battle up there and it is really exciting for people who watch NCEL Division One football, especially with the play-offs at stake as well,” Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“Clearly our ambition is to stay out of the play-offs and go up automatically. We are going to have finish strong in the last 11 games because it is extremely tight.
“It is nip and tuck. Hall Road are going well, so are Penistone, Grimsby, Pontefract, Hallam. They’re all good sides and then there’s Knaresborough and Campion knocking on the door.
“It is making for one hell of a finish.”
Emley are at home tomorrow against Brigg Town, a week after the defeat at promotion rivals Pontefract Collieries.
Former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Matt Glennon will be in goal for Emley after agreeing to help out due to Graham McLachlan being suspended.
Emley will also have their captain Kieran Ryan available and Hepworth added: “Kieran Ryan is back from suspension so that’s a big plus for us.
“The Pontefract result will also be out of our systems and in the past we have been good in how far we responded so I will fully expect us to be at it.”