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Emley v Stocksbridge Park Steels (Sheffield Cup Final at Hillsbrough)

A solitary goal by Gary Hurlstone gave Stocksbridge Park Steels victory over holders Emley in the final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup at Hillsborough.

Hurlstone struck for the UniBond League Division One side against their Premier Division opponents six minutes into the second half when his shot on the turn from eight yards flew into the corner of Andy Rhodes's net.

It was a disappointing end to the career of Ian Banks who is retiring from the game at the age of 38 to concentrate on his new career as a Financial Advisor.  Banger has given great service to the club over the last four years.  The former Huddersfield Town man began his career at Barnsley, and also played for Leicester, Bradford, West Brom, Rotherham and Darlington before switching to Emley in 1995.

His midfield skill and especially his dead-ball skills will be greatly missed next season.  Banger always gave his best for the club and was never a prima-donna which can't be said of all pros when they drop into the non-league game.  He contributed greatly to the finest moments in the clubs history at West Ham last year and we wish him well for the future.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Stocksbridge Park Steels 

May 1st 1999

Colwyn Bay v Emley

Emley gained a draw at Colwyn Bay to finish in a disappointing 13th place in the league. 

Result: Colwyn Bay 3 - 3 Emley

Apr 26th 1999

Wombwell Main v Emley     Sheffield Senior Cup semi-final

This report was taken from the Huddersfield Examiner By DOUG THOMSON

Soccer: Featherstone nets Emley's final date

Emley duly made it to the Sheffield Senior Cup final, but provided a far from convincing case for retaining the trophy.

Their display was littered with poor passing and weak finishing, and it will take much better to defeat either Frickley Athletic or Stocksbridge Park Steels in the final at Hillsborough on Tuesday (7.00).

Stubborn Wombwell Main produced a performance of which the British Industrial Reclamation Sheffield County Senior League can be proud, holding out against a side four levels higher on the non-League pyramid for 62 minutes.

Scott Jackson finally made the breakthrough, netting for the first time since his transfer from Farsley Celtic in February, but Wombwell heads still didn't go down, and it took a James Featherstone penalty five minutes from time to seal the UniBond League Premier Division club's victory.

With Wombwell upset at being stripped of home advantage after Emley expressed concern about the safety of their Windmill Road ground, this match, moved to Worsbrough Bridge, might easily have degenerated into a physical battle.

But the Barnsley side, who can clinch their League title by beating nearest rivals Phoenix tomorrow, stuck to footballing principles and had an outstanding performer in young centre-back John Rose.

His confidence grew at an equal rate to Emley's frustration, and the only blemish was the late lunge which felled lively winger Steve Smith and brought the spot kick from which former Blackburn and Scunthorpe striker Featherstone registered his first Emley goal to complete a scoreline which flattered the Huddersfield side.

Emley, missing both regular centre-backs Neil Lacey and Michael Thompson through work commitments, started strongly and early pressure suggested a thrashing could be on the cards.

Midfielder Chris Hurst thumped a header against the bar as Emley forced a string of corners, and Paul David and Danny Shaw also tried their luck before Wombwell came close with their first genuine attack of the game in the 17th minute.

Steve Durham flighted in a free-kick from wide out on Wombwell's right and Chris Birks stole in for a header which was palmed away for a corner by the stretching Andy Rhodes.

Emley were soon back on the attack, but goalkeeper Andy Goodere was equal to their efforts, bravely smothering as Shaw broke through, then diving low to deny the striker as he shot on the turn.

Rose blocked Jackson's 55th-minute shot and Hurst blasted over from distance two minutes later before Emley finally found the net.

Banks flighted in a corner from the right, Hurst's header was only partially cleared, and Jackson rattled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Featherstone, fit again after a hamstring injury and introduced after 54 minutes, had an fierce effort saved two minutes before converting the penalty.

And there was just time for a lively cameo appearance by Reserve winger Chris Prasher, who almost set up a goal with his first contribution, feeding Rob Tonks, whose well-placed shot was turned away by Goodere.

Result: Wombwell Main 0 - 2 Emley

Apr 12th 1999

Emley v Hyde United

Emley managed to get the point that means safety and another season in the top flight of the UniBond League with a much improved performance in this hard fought draw with Hyde United.

With all the players returning that were missing in the dreadful performance against Whitby Town on Saturday Emley gave Hyde a much tougher game than recent results would have suggested. Playing with a very strong wind in the first half the home side put their visitors under extreme pressure but  could have gone in at half time a goal down had the Hyde finishing been better.

In the second half Hyde took the lead on 50 minutes when an inswinging corner touched the head of Moncrieffe and glanced into the net. Emley were on level terms within four minutes when top scorer David latched on to a cross from Jackson and under pressure scored under the diving Egington.

The home side lifted their game in search of a winner which should have come when a delightful chip from Featherstone eluded the oncoming keeper but rebounded off an upright. The game still flowed from end to end but neither side could fashion a winner.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Hyde United

Attendance 175.

Apr 10th 1999

Emley v Whitby Town League

Emley's terrible league form continued with a 1-0 defeat to the team they knocked out of the Trophy at the 5th Round stage.  They have now gone 11 league matches without a win and are in 17th place in the league.  Emley still need 2 points to assure safety from relegation, but with just two goals in the last seven matches, six of them lost, it is hard to see how they are going to get them.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Whitby Town

Apr 5th 1999

Emley v Guiseley

This report was taken from the Huddersfield Examiner By DOUG THOMSON

Guiseley pile on misery as Emley miss key chances

Emley produced an improved performance, but were unable to gain any reward as 10-man Guiseley piled on the misery for manager Ronnie Glavin.

Substitute Michael Jordan's 63rd-minute goal sealed the derby points for fifth-placed Guiseley, who had Julian Wilkes sent off after a second bookable offence after 54 minutes.

Emley have now gone 10 UniBond League matches without a win, equalling their worst run since promotion from the Northern Counties East in 1989, and face another tough task on Saturday, when ninth-placed Whitby Town visit the Welfare Ground.

Emley, who handed a debut to former Scunthorpe striker James Featherstone, dropped to 15th having failed to find the net for the fourth time in six games.

They piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes of yesterday's match, with joint top scorer Paul David coming closest with an overhead kick from an Ian Banks corner which was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Steve Dickinson, a former Town trialist.

David should have done better with a free header while Nicky Wood, Neil Lacey and Michael Thompson were all guilty of wasting opportunities.

In the first half of a game watched by 289, Emley had the majority of the possession, only for Guiseley to create the closer chances.

Wilkes played a delightful through ball to Lee Poole, but with only goalkeeper Andy Rhodes to beat, the combative midfielder shot wide.

Wilkes' strike partner Michael Morrell nearly got on the end of Colin Hunter's whipped cross with a diving header, having earlier struck a weak shot straight at Rhodes after a neat move by Guiseley.

Soon after, David's mis-hit effort from Banks' chipped free-kick was cleared off the line by Benn Gallagher , and from the rebound, Mark Wilson's 20-yard shot flew wide.

Emley's hopes were raised when Wilkes saw red. Having been booked earlier for delaying the restart of play, he was guilty of a crude late challenge on Nicky Wood.

But Jordan sunk the home side when he tapped into an unguarded net after Hunter's thunderous 20-yard shot crashed back into play off the bar and Gallagher's shot from the rebound was blocked by Rhodes.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Guiseley

Apr 3rd 1999

Spennymoor United v Emley

A goal from Chris Hurst was the only consolation in yet another dismal display.   Spennymoor were already two up at that point and Emley rarely looked like getting anything from the game.  Paul David was brought into defence to cover for the last minute absence of Michael Thompson.  His presence in the attack was sorely missed by an Emley side low in confidence. 

Fortunately Accrington and Chorley are unlikely to reach Emley's points tally so the spectre of relegation should not be an issue.  On current form though it is just as well Emley have the points in the bank as its difficult to see where the next win is coming from with some tough games ahead.

Result: Spennymoor United 2 - 1 Emley

Mar 29th 1999

Emley v Runcorn

This report was taken from the Huddersfield Examiner By DOUG THOMSON

Soccer: Wood's late saver ends waiting game

It took a late strike from a defender to finally end Emley's waiting game, with Nicky Wood netting his side's first goal in 411 minutes of football to scrape a first point in three UniBond League matches.

But there were belated signs of frontline hope as manager Ronnie Glavin handed new signing Jay Sobers his debut as a 65th-minute substitute, and the Huddersfield side finally came to life.

It's early days for the ex-Yorkshire Amateur winger, of course, but he certainly has a turn of pace, and within a minute of coming on, had picked out fellow debutant Danny Shaw with a precise through ball.

Newsome-based Shaw, a 19-year-old who numbers Berry Brow, Halifax Town and Scunthorpe United among his former clubs and has been banging them in for Emley Reserves this season, was unable to mark his first senior outing with a goal.

But it wasn't for the want of trying, and the latest youngster upgraded by Glavin in the bid to pep-up Emley's ailing forward line - Shaw follows in the footsteps of Duncan Bray and Lee Bradley - certainly looked lean, hungry and worth another chance.

Emley had been beaten in their previous three games - the most recent Saturday's FA Trophy quarter-final reverse against Cheltenham - and for the first hour of last night's Welfare Ground clash, looked likely to suffer another setback.

Runcorn, using a well organised 5-3-2 system, were first to every 50:50 ball, exerted a firm grip on a scrappy game and fully deserved the 62nd-minute lead supplied by Richard Irving, who latched on to a neat through ball by substitute Phil Johnson to slot home a well-struck shot which gave goalkeeper Andy Rhodes no chance.

The goal finally galvanised the home side however, and with Sobers lively on the left and fellow substitute Steve Smith working the right wing well, a late burst of pressure finally brought reward in the 82nd minute.

Sobers won a corner, Smith flighted over a teasing cross and Wood emerged from a ruck of players to thump home a drive which beat both the lunging former Bolton centre-back Mark Seagraves and diving goalkeeper Mark Morris.

Wood's second goal of the season was Emley's first since Paul David netted 31 minutes into the 1-1 home draw with Winsford.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Runcorn

Mar 27th 1999

Emley v Cheltenham (FA Trophy Quarter Final)

Emley failed in their bid to get to Wembley via the FA Trophy going down 1-0 to Conference leaders Cheltenham Town.  The game was not as close as the scoreline suggests.  Cheltenham's goal came from a simple header following a needless corner on the stroke of half time, and Emley rarely threatened to make up the deficit, let alone win.

The game started brightly, with both sides showing a willingness to attack.  Emley again did not field a recognised forward and relied on Paul David and Dean Calcutt to do the front running.  Cheltenham showed patience and came close to opening the scoring when the lively Grayson hit the bar from a speculative flick.  Emley had the ball in the net soon after through David, but the linesman was flagging furiously.

Things settled down to a dour midfield battle with both sides happy to keep the other at arms length.  The goal came out of the blue and was a shock to Emley who must already have been looking forward to their half-time cuppa.

The second half saw Cheltenham happy to sit back and absorb what Emley had  to offer, hitting them on the break when the chance arose.  Emley's attacks frequently broke down without reaching Cheltenham's penalty area and only Calcutt and David looked like finding a way through.  Cheltenham on the other hand forced a series of corners and hit the post, always suggesting they had plenty in reserve.

So the match petered out to its conclusion and Emley departed from the competition with a whimper.  The lack of firepower must be addressed if they are to improve on the last two campaigns in the millenium season.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Cheltenham 

Team:  Rhodes, Tonks, Jones, Thompson, Lacey, David, Banks, Hurst, Calcutt, Wilson (Thorpe), Wood.

Mar 23rd 1999

This report was taken from the Huddersfield Examiner By DOUG THOMSON

Struggling Emley fail to halt their dismal run of form

Hopefully the much-acclaimed Crown Ground pies were up to scratch, because there was certainly precious little else to satisfy the traveling faithful on a gloomy East Lancashire evening.

Emley, who slipped to 14th in the UniBond League on the back of their second successive 2-0 defeat, were dismal, disjointed, short of direction and even worse, short of heart.

And, with Saturday's big FA Trophy quarter-final meeting with Cheltenham Town looming, that's distinctly worrying.

The pre-big match slide is nothing new for the Huddersfield side, of course.

It happened in the midst of last season's FA Cup run and before previous Trophy matches this term.

But, with all due respect to Guiseley and Whitby Town, Emley's previous opponents on this season's Wembley trail, Cheltenham are a completely different proposition.

Any repeat of last night's showing - when basement side Stanley were gifted three points in their desperate battle against the drop - could bring a defeat of embarrassing proportions.

The return of experienced centre-back Michael Thompson, who has now completed a three-match ban, should certainly add some steel.

And, if old hand Ian Banks and raw catalyst Dean Calcutt, both kept on the bench last night, can hit form, then Emley could make some headway in the midfield battle.

But, without taking anything away from Paul David, who will always pose a threat at set-pieces, and the ever-industrious duo Mark Wilson and Miles Thorpe, it's hard to see where the goals will come from.

An Achilles tendon injury to striker Scott Jackson has done nothing to help manager Ronnie Glavin, who must be missing departed quartet Glynn Hurst, Deiniol Graham, Michael Reynolds and Simeon Bambrook more than ever.

Add the absence of classy right-back Steve Nicholson with a broken foot, and it's hard not to sympathise with the gritty Glaswegian, who feels the pain of defeat as acutely as the most passionate player or supporter.

Glavin's frustration at last night's inept display was as clear to see as opposite number Gordon Rayner's delight as his side built on Saturday's unexpected 4-0 win at Gainsborough.

Accrington still have a tough task in avoiding the drop, but the presence of striker Billy O'Callaghan, who looked dangerous throughout last night's game and sealed the points for Stanley with his 26th goal of the season on 58 minutes, will certainly help.

O'Callaghan was the first to react after Andy Rhodes had saved a close-range shot from Paul Heavey, who had put Stanley in front with a close-range tap-in after a furious scramble in first-half injury time.

Result: Accrington Stanley 2 - 0 Emley

Stalybridge Celtic v Emley

Dire performances are traditional for Emley the week before big Cup games and this was one of the worst.  The only bright spots were the performances of youngsters Robert Tonks and particularly second half substitute Peter Sheldon, who has the look of Des Walker. 

Poor Lee Bradley had a good touch early on to set up Emley's only first half chance for Calcutt, which the keeper saved well, but otherwise he hardly got a touch in the absence of any service from midfield.

None of the more senior players, assured of their places next week, can look back at this game with any pride.  The Cheltenham scout must have been chuckling all the way back down the M6.

Stalybridge, only a mediocre side in the Unibond, dominated possession and showed infinitely more passion.  Their first goal looked offside, but the second on the stroke of half-time had some class, the scorer turning tightly in the area to fire low past Rhodes.  The second half was dour, only a flying save from Rhodes and Emley's single attempt on goal from Tonks after Smith and Thorpe had battled for the ball, were worthy of note. Tuesday's game at Accrington looks like one to miss.

Result: Stalybridge Celtic 2 - 0 Emley

Team:  Rhodes, Tonks, Jones, Wood, Lacey, David, Banks, Thorpe, Bradley (Smith), Wilson (Sheldon), Calcutt (Hurst).

Mar 15th 1999

Emley v Winsford United

A lack lustre Emley performance saw them held to a 1-1 draw by Winsford United in the this UniBond League Premier Division match.

Paul David was gifted a goal on 32 minutes when visiting goalkeeper John Bagnall played the ball straight to Emley's top scorer, who made no mistake from just inside the box. Winsford deservedly equalised 10 minutes into the second half when captain Gary Talbot volleyed home Neil Critchley's free-kick.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Winsford United

Mar 12th 1999

Emley v Worksop Town

Mark Wilson bagged a brace for Emley as they forced a 2-2 draw with Worksop Town in the UniBond Premier Division.

Wilson opened the scoring on 11 minutes only for Kenny Clark to equalise from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark. Linden Whitehead headed the visitors in front on 82 minutes but Wilson struck again four minutes later to earn a point.

Only 1,700 tickets will be made available for Emley's FA Umbro Trophy quarter-final home tie with Cheltenham on March 27. Priced at £8 for adults with concessions at £5, they are on sale at Emley's social club from 8.00pm each evening.

Result: Emley 2 - 2 Worksop Town

Feb 27th 1999

Emley v Whitby Town (FA Umbro Trophy 5th Rd)

Emley enhanced their cup-fighter reputation as they battled through to the Quarter-finals of the Trophy for only the second time with a fine defensive display against a Whitby side with the best away record in the league.

Sadly they also enhanced their reputation for ill-discipline with the dismissal of Michael Thompson with 15 minutes left and the technical sending-off of Andy Rhodes after the game had finished.

The match was competitive but not nasty until a flare up as Whitby desperately tried to get a goal back with time running out.  Rhodes had been injured early in the second half, and was struggling, when he was clattered again by a Whitby player.  This brought an angry response from Thompson which led to him being sent off.  Rhodes was also cautioned for trading insults with the Whitby centre-forward.  Strangely, but consistent with his uneven handling of the game, the referee only booked the perpetrator of the foul.  This left Emley a man short and under the cosh for the last fifteen minutes plus the 7 minutes the ref chose to add on for stoppages.

In this time a wound up Rhodes pulled of at least two stunning saves, and on top of a couple of goal-line clearances Emley weathered the storm.

The game overall was scrappy with a strong wind making good football very difficult.   Emley, with David and Calcutt as the front-runners were content to sit-back and hit Whitby on the break.  Whitby never got to grips with this strange tactic from the home side and the game was very disjointed.  Emley had the better chance early on though when Smith, who had his best 90 minutes so far in an Emley shirt, got to the by-line, pulled it back and a powerful shot from Banks was deflected over the bar by the desperate defenders.  Whitby also pulled a fine save from Rhodes but it was Emley who took the lead.

The excellent Calcutt broke down the right, chipped the ball into the area and the swirling wind confused a Whitby defender enough for him to place it perfectly wide of his own 'keeper and into the corner.  This goal gave Emley more confidence and they went further ahead when a long bouncing ball tempted the 'keeper from his line, but Calcutt was too quick and he got his head to the ball just before the keeper clattered into him, the ball bounced into the empty net but Calcutt was too busy seeing stars to celebrate.

Emley could have had two more before half time, the best chance being when the keeper failed to hold a Banks free-kick, but recovered just in time to grab the ball as two Emley players pounced.

Whitby predictably put Emley under a lot of pressure in the second half, and looked especially dangerous from corners.  However the determined Emley defence held firm and restricted them to a handful of chances which Rhodes was equal to.  Emley looked like extending their lead more than once on the break.  Calcutt hit the post and the keeper pulled off a fine save when Banks was put through by yet another intelligent ball from David.

When the whistle finally went Rhodes could not contain himself and provoked the Whitby number nine with his celebrations.  The referee was not impressed with this and reportedly called in Rhodes after the game had finished to technically send him off.   As the numerous Whitby fans drowned their sorrows in the bar to the sound of the Last Post from their trumpeter, Emley fans looked forward to the quarter finals in a month's time.  The draw is on Monday.

Result: Emley 2 - 0 Whitby Town 

Team:  Rhodes, Wood, Jones, Thompson, Lacey, David, Banks, Hurst, Tonks, Calcutt, Smith.  Subs not used:  Dennis, Robinson, Shaw, Bradley.

Feb 23rd 1999

Emley v Frickley Athletic

Emley struggled for most of this game to find any sort of rhythm, going behind to a penalty after 20 minutes.  They finally found some form with quarter of an hour to go when David scored from a free-kick.  And for the second game running the same player hit the bar in the last minute, this time with a long range effort.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Frickley Athletic

Feb 20th 1999

Lancaster City v Emley

Emley came away with a point but could have had all three in this dour game of two halves.  Emley dominated the first half but were fortunate to be still in the game when in the last minute Paul David almost nicked the points.  New boy Scott Jackson was put through, he squared the ball unselfishly to David but his chip sailed over the keeper and thudded against the bar before being cleared, the referee's whistle went straight afterwards.

Lancaster looked the more threatening side at the start of the game, pulling a fine save from Rhodes early on, but Emley were quick on the break and frequently broke through a dis-organised Lancaster defence.  Scott Jackson, a new signing from Farsley Celtic, added extra punch to the Emley attack and he brought a fine save from Thornley in the Lancaster goal when put through by Banks.  David too had chances but it was Mark Wilson who gave Emley the lead when he followed up some fine inter passing with Jackson by battling past (and over) Thornley to put the ball into an empty net.

Jackson put another good chance wide and Emley went into the break on top but without the comfortable margin they deserved.

Lancaster clearly had a roasting at half-time and they came out battling.  Emley were put on the back foot as Lancaster forced a series of corners without really testing Rhodes.  Emley could not get the ball out of their half though and counter-attacks were few and far between, often breaking down due to poor passing.  Just as it looked like they had weathered the storm Thompson misjudged a header to Rhodes and Lancaster grabbed an equaliser.

A series of substitutions by both sides then disrupted what pattern there was but Emley gradually looked more threatening, with Thorpe, who had a fine game, taking the initiative in midfield.  As time ran out David managed to pull the ball back for Jackson , but his looping header was cleared from the line. Then came the finale from David to leave the teams with a share of the points.

Result: Lancaster City 1 - 1 Emley

Team:  Rhodes, Tonks, Jones, Thompson, Wood, David, Banks, Thorpe, Jackson, Wilson (Robinson), Calcutt (Smith) Sub not used: Bradley.

Feb 13th 1999

Emley v Gateshead

High-flying Gateshead gained further revenge for their cup defeat by Emley by completing the league double over them at the Welfare Ground.  This was a largely disappointing display from Emley against a well organised Outfit.  They went two down before Jones got a late consolation to give Emley hope, but it was not to be.

Result: Emley 1 - 2 Gateshead

Feb 6th 1999

Guiseley v Emley (FA Umbro Trophy 4th Round)

A blistering second half display from Emley saw them through to the last 16 of the Trophy in this tough Yorkshire derby.

Goals from Thompson and Tonks were enough to see off the in-form team from Leeds and it could have been more as Emley dominated the second half of the game.

The first half was as forgettable as the second was memorable.  Guiseley played with the strong wind but failed to make any great headway against a solid Emley defence.   Rhodes rarely had to make a save as he was well protected by Lacey, Thompson, Wood and Jones.  This was just as well as he was only 50-50 for the game after sustaining a hip injury before the game.

Wilson and David as the makeshift strike force tried hard, but rarely threatened as the half descended into a scrap in the mud.

Emley started the second half with much more conviction, now aided by the wind.   With Hurst raiding down the left and Tonks down the right they put the Guiseley defence under pressure from the start.  Hurst had a shot from a corner blocked on the line and Jones almost claimed a rare goal with a 'shinner' following a free-kick.  A strong appeal for a penalty for handball was turned down, though this was balanced by an appeal from Guiseley's Davison for a penalty at the other end. Guiseley did manage a shot, but Rhodes pulled off a fine save to deny them.

As the weather deteriorated with icy cold rain in the wind Emley took the lead. Banks floated over another excellent corner which evaded a host of players at the near post and Thompson ghosted in unmarked to smash the ball home.  Guiseley tried to raise their game, but with Emley solid in midfield, bolstered by Thorpe, they rarely threatened.  Indeed Emley could have extended their lead.  Lacey thumped a header against the post, Tonks had a shot well saved and Wilson was denied a certain penalty when he was fouled from behind when clean put clean through by the tireless David.

With these opportunities not giving Emley the cushion their play deserved we waited for Guiseley to nick an equaliser, but fortunately it was not to be.  Instead, just after a tired Wilson gave way to Bray, Robert Tonks dispossessed a Guiseley defender and finished well just inside the post, to make the game safe.

Result: Guiseley 0 - 2 Emley 

Team:  Rhodes, Wood, Jones (Nicholson), Thompson, Lacey, David, Banks, Hurst, Thorpe, Wilson (Bray), Tonks.  Subs not used:  Dennis, Bray, Smith.

Emley travel to Hucknall for their much delayed League Cup 2nd Round replay on Wednesday 10th February.

Feb 1st 1999

Emley v Shepshed Dynamo (FA Umbro Trophy 3rd Round Replay)

Mark Wilson showed his return to form with two goals to help defeat Shepshed at the Welfare Ground in this 3rd Round Trophy replay.  Emley had the bonus of Simeon Bambrook returning on one of the occasional visits he promised when returning to Garforth due the pressures of work not allowing him the time for Unibond Football. Another welcome sight was the return on Steve Nicholson as a substitute following his recovery from a broken foot sustained against Rotherham United.

Emley now have a tough tie at Guiseley, going well in the Unibond, on Saturday 6th February, in the Fourth Round.

Bambrook gave Emley's attack a much needed edge, but Wilson stole the show scoring on 35 and 70 minutes.  However probably the most important goal came from Paul David on the stroke of half-time.  Shepshed were still celebrating Tim Warner's equaliser, itself scored in stoppage time after Jason Knight swung in a long-range free-kick, when David rose above goalkeeper Thomas Shevlin to head home from Ian Banks' cross.

This shattered Shepshed, and although the Dr Martens League side pushed forward with determination at the start of the second half, Emley looked threatening on the break and sealed victory when David skipped past two challenges to put in an inviting cross which Wilson crashed into the roof of the net.

Wilson's first, set up by Bambrook's flick from a Simon Jones long throw, had been put away with equal conviction, underlining Emley's superiority in a half which had started with Chris Hurst heading against the bar from a Banks corner.

Result: Emley 3 - 1 Shepshed Dynamo 

Jan 30th 1999

Bamber Bridge v Emley

Emley gained quick revenge for their last minute defeat by Bamber Bridge by going to Lancashire and coming away with a 2-1 victory.

Emley went a goal down, but goals from David and Wilson sent Bridge to their first defeat in 16 games.

Result: Bamber Bridge 1 - 2 Emley

Jan 27th 1999

Shepshed Dynamo v Emley (FA Umbro Trophy 3rd Round)

This match was overshadowed by events at the final whistle when Emley goalkeeper Andy Rhodes allegedly assaulted a Shepshed 'fan' who had apparently been abusing, spitting and throwing missiles at him throughout the second half.  For a full, somewhat sensationalised, report on the matter visit Non-League on the Net.

This was the most passionate part of a low key game.  Shepshed took the lead after 12 minutes, before Emley got a deserved equaliser through Paul David just before half time.  An under strength Emley, missing Jones and Thompson due to work commitments, failed to turn their superiority into goals in the second half and took the game to a replay.

Result: Shepshed Dynamo 1 - 1 Emley 

Jan 23rd1999

Emley v Bamber Bridge

Despite dominating the game in difficult conditions, Emley finished with nothing in this tough encounter, falling to a very late and undeserved winner from an un-ambitious Bamber Bridge side.

Emley brought in youngster Duncan Bray up front alongside Paul David, with Miles Thorpe dropping back into midfield.  They started strongly, with Bray showing touches that mark him as a very bright prospect for the future.  The best chance of the half came from a perfect through ball from the youngster for David to run onto.  He took it round the 'keeper, but his shot was blocked on the line by a defender.

Bray also had a couple of attempts, his willingness to shoot refreshing in a shot-shy team.  Bridge rarely threatened and seemed content to defend in numbers.  The second half was even more one-sided, but for all their possession Emley created few chances.  In swinging corners from Banks provided the best opportunities, but the ball would not fall to an Emley player and Bridge continued to defend stoutly, happy to boot the ball clear when the opportunity arose.

Emley again should have scored when Smith was put clear by David.  He got to the by-line and pulled it back for Bray, but his shot was again blocked on the line.   Slowly Emley ran out of ideas and Bamber Bridge finally got into the Emley half.   Then with everyone ready to accept a draw they pinched all three points, forcing the ball home from a long throw with seconds to go.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Bamber Bridge

Team:  Rhodes, Tonks, Jones, Thompson, Lacey, David, Banks, Bray (Robinson), Thorpe, Wilson, Smith (Wainman).

Jan 9th 1999

Chorley v Emley

Emley left it late at Chorley to grab the point which they just about deserved after they came back strongly from a Chorley goal which would possibly win Goal of the Month.

Emley continued to improvise up front with Robert Tonks pushed up alongside Thorpe but their lack of firepower continues to be a problem as both rarely troubled the Chorley defence.

The first ten minutes were quite bright.  Both sides tried to attack, but though Emley had more of the play, Chorley had the better chances.  Wainman picked up an early injury and was replaced by Banks, but this reduced Emley's width and Chorley started to have the better of the play.  There was not much quality on show from either side however.

The most notable moment of the first half came when Chorley forced the ball home following a corner, but the linesman had spotted an offside.

Chorley started the second half with a bang.  Emley lost the ball up front and the excellent Black picked it up, he advanced and hit an unstoppable bending shot from 25 yards which went in off the top of the post.  This brought Emley to life again and they now had the better of the game.  Lacey came close with a close range effort from a cross by the improving Calcutt.  Paul David also had a  great effort, his volley hitting the keeper who did not know much about it, following a header from Hurst.

Wilson and Smith came on for Wood and Tonks, and the extra width Smith gave immediately made Emley look more threatening.  Meanwhile Calcutt and Lacey were getting involved in scuffles which could have seen either sent off by a less lenient referee.

Finally when all seemed lost, Banks and David produced one of their 'specials' from a free kick.  Normally David heads the ball in, this time it was behind him and he somehow flicked the ball with his boot and it looped inside the post.  It was possible more luck than judgment, but the result was a fair one.

Result: Chorley 1 - 1 Emley

Team:  Rhodes, Wood (Wilson), Jones, Thompson, Lacey, David, Calcutt, Hurst, Thorpe, Tonks (Smith), Wainman (Banks).

Jan 2nd1999

Emley v Marine

The high winds at the Welfare ground made this game something of a lottery as again Emley failed to beat Marine at home.  The teams drew here in the FA Cup before Emley won the replay comfortably, but the loss of Reynolds and Bambrook is beginning to affect Emley's chance of the Unibond Title.

Emley also had Chris Hurst sent off for dissent, and though Marine also had a man sent off for a professional foul, the referee should have allowed Wainman to carry on as he rode the challenge and could have put Emley 2 up.  As it was Marine equalised soon afterwards to snatch a point.

Thompson had got Emley's goal, heading home after Lacey's header had been partially cleared.  Thompson also rattled the bar in a game Emley should have won.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Marine

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