Toolstation NCEL Division One
Shirebrook Town 1-1 AFC Emley
Emley celebrate Matty Jackson’s goal. Picture: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley were forced to settle for a hard-to-take point against Shirebrook Town FC at Langwith Road, where Mark Robinson’s last gasp equaliser rescued a draw for the hosts.
Matthew Jackson’s sublime strike with 20 minutes to go looked to have sealed all three points for Darren Hepworth’s side, but naivety allowed Shirebrook to score a harsh, scrappy goal with the final kick of the game.
Despite a slow start, Shirebrook could well have been in front inside ten minutes when Robinson found space. The forward fired across goal but watched his effort clatter against the far post.
Emley’s reaction was positive and they could too have taken the lead. The towering presence of Tom Brennan caused Shirebrook all sorts of problems, especially from the countless corners they had to defend. The centre-back got up well to connect with Liam Schofield’s delivery but the contact was almost too good as it flashed over the crossbar.
Ash Flynn’s persistence in pestering was proving a real handful for the Shirebrook defenders, but creditably, they kept him quiet throughout the first half.
Their solidarity in defence gave them the confidence to endeavour to take the lead. They very nearly did that, as well, when the sharp-looking Robinson did well to burst through on goal, but he poked well wide.
Emley needed the best possible start to the second half to ignite their predatory prowess, but were made to sit back as Shirebrook threatened to take the lead.
The visitors soon worked their way back into the game, albeit slowly but surely. Flynn and Aaron joseph saw poor efforts bobble wide.
But the deadlock was finally broken with 20 minutes left. Jackson ensured he entered the goal of the season competition. After selling two defenders with a taunting turn, he rocketed the ball into the top corner and fired Emley into a well-deserved lead.
The Pewits may well have made it 2-0 in the final few minutes. Josh Senior went for goal twice, but his efforts came to no avail.
Emley were then made to pay for their naivety. Failure to retain possession gifted Shirebrook a final attempt to salvage a point. Talented winger Mitchell Dunne shook off Schofield before delivering a deadly ball into the box, which was somehow eventually bundled over the line by Mark Robinson with the last kick of the game.
Thanks to Luke Greaves for this report.