Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley 4-1 Campion
Ash Flynn celebrates during AFC Emley’s 4-1 win over Campion. Picture: Mark Parsons
Ash Flynn’s hat-trick helped promotion-chasing AFC Emley overcome a minor scare against Campion and take advantage of postponements elsewhere.
Second half goals from Jordan Coduri and Flynn ensured that one-time Emley transfer target Eli Hey’s 24th minute header for Campion did not cause an upset at the Welfare Ground.
Flynn’s third goal was his 50th of another exceptional campaign.
Campion midfielder Gregg Porter would also be sent off, in one of the few NCEL matches taking place yesterday.
Having lost the reverse fixture at Campion, some Emley fans may have feared the worst at the break. In this instance, they needn’t have been worried.
The Bradford-based side were organised and with an exciting three-man frontline of Hey, Jordan Missin and Jacob Buchanan, they always looked a threat in the first half.
There was little in it though when Hey rose to send a looping header over Emley goalkeeper Graham McLachlan
Emley did respond well by ending the half strongly. Flynn broke clear at one point and was denied by a fantastic save from ex-Emley goalkeeper Daniel Armitage.
Darren Hepworth’s men maintained the same tempo in the second half and put on a marvellous performance. Within four minutes, the nerves were settled as Flynn was pushed to the ground and Coduri had confidently fired home the penalty to equalise.
Now bursting with great confidence, Emley never looked back. Campion then made the mistake of leaving Flynn unmarked at the back-post. The striker duly punished them to score his first goal.
He was given too much again for his second and third goals which had Porter’s second yellow card sandwiched in between them.
With leaders Pontefract Collieries and third-placed Hall Road Rangers seeing their respective matches called off, the victory allowed Emley to cut the gap on Ponte to six points. It also ensured that they are now five points clear of Hall Road, who have three games-in-hand.
Liam Schofield (left) was made AFC Emley captain for the day as it was his 100th appearance – something Emley marked before the game. Picture: Mark Parsons
Action from AFC Emley 4-1 Campion
Jacob Buchanan on the attack for Campion
AFC Emley captain Liam Schofield wins the ball
One-time AFC Emley transfer target Eli Hey gave Campion a first half lead
Eli Hey and Campion celebrate their goal
Campion’s ex-Emley goalkeeper Danny Armitage was powerless to stop Darren Hepworth’s men in the second half. Picture: Mark Parsons
Emley celebrate Ash Flynn’s second goal. Picture: Mark Parsons
Flynn scoring his 50th goal of the season. Picture: Mark Parsons
What They Said
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth
Campion assistant manager Andy Shepherd
The Teams
AFC Emley: McLachlan, Carney, Schofield (captain), Ingham, S Jerome, Brennan, Coduri, Joseph (Townend 37), Ryan, Flynn (Jackson 87), Robinson (Scully 66). Subs unused: Slack, Charlton.
Campion: Armitage, Stocker, Bartle, Jones, Brown, Hall (captain), L Bradshaw (Ndlovu 74), Porter, Hey, Missin (J Bradshaw 90), Buchanan (Charles 79). Sub unused: Coates.