Toolstation NCEL Division One
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth. Picture: Mark Parsons
The recent run of clean sheets has been an early Christmas present for promotion-chasing AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth.
The league leaders have not conceded for five games, with the League Cup victory over Worksop on Wednesday being the latest clean sheet.
The statistic adds to the growing belief at Emley, who have won all their last nine league games.
“We’re on a great run and the most pleasing aspect of it is how mean we have come defensively,” Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have worked hard at it as everyone was committed to improving ourselves defensively. It was our achilles heel earlier in the season, but there is still a long way to go.
“We have had five clean sheets on the bounce now so something has obviously clicked.
“Wednesday night underlined two things. One, what a fantastic group of players I have because we did shuffle the pack. So to get a clean sheet on top of that speaks volumes about how far we have come.
“We’re in a great position now and we have earned that because we have been consistent. We have become ruthless in defence and that has been the most pleasing aspect.
“We’re on a terrific run. It will end at some point, but hopefully that won’t be until after May!”
A victory over Eccleshill United at the Welfare Ground tomorrow would give Emley a chance of being top at Christmas.
If Penistone Church beat Ollerton Town and then win at Eccleshill next Wednesday then Ian Richards’ men will rule the roost on Christmas Day – regardless of an Emley win against Eccleshill.
Hepworth though is concentrating on Eccleshill, rather than who will sit at the summit over Christmas.
“We won’t be taking Eccleshill lightly,” he added.
“Although we did beat them convincingly at their place earlier in the season, they gave us a hell of a game. At half-time it was 0-0.
“We’re looking no further ahead than Eccleshill. Once we have played that game, we will turn our attentions to the back-to-back games with Nostell.”