Report

1st May 2000

Emley v Hucknall

This point ensured Emley take 5th place in the Unibond as Lancaster lost at home.   Though this means Emley's game at Lancaster next Saturday is meaningless, the team can now concentrate on Wednesday's Sheffield Cup final against Frickley.

Result: Emley 1 - 1 Hucknall Town

29th April 2000

Gateshead v Emley

Resilient Emley continue to exploit their crazy run-in!

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Doug Thompson 

Resilient Emley rode their luck and defied rising levels of fatigue to rack up a fifth win in six games.

As Gateshead's hopes of reclaiming the Conference spot lost two years ago were finally extinguished by their defeat and Leigh's UniBond League title-clinching victory just down the A1 at Spennymoor, Emley strengthened their grip on fifth position, and retained a mathematical chance of equalling their best-ever placing of fourth in 1996-97.

For that to happen, Gateshead would have to lose their remaining two games - at Barrow this evening and basement side Winsford on Saturday - and Emley win at home to Hucknall this afternoon and at Lancaster on the final day.

More likely is a battle for fifth with Lancaster, who are three points behind the Huddersfield side and in action at home to Bishop Auckland today.

Whatever the outcome for Ronnie Glavin's men, it's been a season which has surpassed all expectations and could yet end with a trophy, since Emley tackle arch-rivals Frickley in the Sheffield Senior Cup final at Hillsborough on Wednesday, when the kick-off is half an hour earlier than normal at 7.00.

A crazy 10-games-in-22-days run-in to the season won't do Emley any favours against a Frickley side who didn't have a match today.

But if the battling display summoned up at the International Stadium on Saturday can be reproduced, the South Elmsall side will have their work cut out to deny Emley a ninth success in the county competition.

Emley, ahead through Andy Wilson's fourth goal of the season after just eight minutes, needed the help of the woodwork on no fewer than four occasions against a host side who lost ex-Town midfielder Paul Dalton to injury after just 26 minutes.

Lively midfielder Steve Bowey volleyed against the bar after 11 minutes, striker Keith Fletcher fired against a post after 35, 18-goal top scorer Steve Preen struck an upright two minutes after the restart and midfielder Paul Thompson heard the telling thud after 56.

In between Preen broke through only to angle a shot wide, Fletcher blazed over from close range and Richie Alderson curled a teasing effort just off target while veteran goalkeeper Andy Rhodes answered the 'zimmer-frame' taunts of the vociferous Gateshead faithful by pulling off great saves from Preen and Fletcher on his way to a 21st clean sheet of the campaign.

Emley had chances of their own to build on their goal, forced home from close range by Wilson after the ball was fired back into the danger zone following goalkeeper Adrian Swan's save from a Charlie Bradshaw header.

Simeon Bambrook, who fired in a string of excellent corners but seemed to lack confidence in front of goal, shot narrowly wide and narrowly over either side of breaking through in a 15th-minute one-one with Swan only to elect to square the ball to Jamie Robshaw, giving retreating defender Simon Bates the chance to block the striker's shot.

And late on, Bambrook twice exploited a tiring Gateshead defence to cut in from the right and thump in cross-cum-shots which could easily have brought goals.

Result: Gateshead 0 - 1 Emley

Gateshead: Swan, Watson, Scott, Thompson, Bates, Tremble, Proudlock, Bowey, Preen (Raitt, 69mins), Fletcher, Dalton (Alderson, 26mins (McAlindon, 84mins)).

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran, Fee, Wilson, Bradshaw, Thorpe, Bambrook, Robshaw (Day, 62mins), Wood. Subs not used: Hamlet, Stratford.

Referee: Stephen Wilman (Sheffield).

Attendance: 254.

See other report below

Gateshead v Emley 

Report from Alan Percival - a Gateshead fan.

Gatesheads last home game of the season came to a dissapointing end. Although The Tynesiders had 6 efforts smack of the woodwork they couldn't find the back of the net.

Emley took the lead after 8 minutes as a scramble in the box somehow went in the net. Charlie Bradshaw first had a header towards goal which Adrian Swan saved supurbely, then the ball was crossed back into the box and 5 or so went up for the ball and in the end the ball went in.

Steve Bowey had an effort from a Paul Proudlock corner on 12 minutes with Boweys shot hitting the cross bar and cleared by Steve Nicolson.

Paul Dalton had to come off in the 25th minute with an injury and was replaced by Richie Alderson.

Before half time Keith Fletcher struck the post and Emleys Simon Jones was booked after several incidents including a punch on Paul Thompson and finally an elbow on David Tremble a minute before half time.

Half Time: Gateshead 0, Emley 1.

The second half looked even more unlikely for a goal although their were chances. Steve Preen hit the post and so did Thompson later on.

Emley only substitution was on 62 minutes taking off Jamie Robshaw and replacing him with Danny Day.

The Mighty Dion Raitt then came on for Steve Preen for Gateshead and looked lively in the 20 minutes or so he had on the pitch.

The Impressive Andy Rhodes was booked for Emley after 73 minutes as the ref decided he was time wasting in the goal mouth.

In the last ten minutes Gareth McAlindon came on for Alderson but didn't produce any chances. Thompson came close in the last few minutes but Emley went home smiling.

Result: Gateshead 0, Emley 1.

Gateshead: Swan(8), Watson(7), Scott(5), Thompson(7), Bates(6), Tremble(7), Proudlock(7), Bowey(6), Preen(6**), Fletcher(6), Dalton(6*).                              Subs: McAlindon(6***), Raitt(7**), Alderson(6*, ***).

Emley: Rhodes(9Y), Nicolson(7), Jones(7Y), Haran(6), Fee(7), Wilson(6), Bradshaw(8), Thorpe(6), Bambrook(7), Rodshaw(6*), Wood(6).                          Subs: Hamlet (Unused), Day(6*), Stratford (Unused).

26th April 2000

Emley v Bishop Auckland

Deserved win as ludicrously busy sequence looms

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Doug Thompson 

Not the slickest of displays, but at this stage of an energy-sapping run-in to a long, hard season, a very satisfactory outcome.

Second-half goals by Paul David and Danny Day sealed a 19th win in 41
UniBond League games and strengthened the Huddersfield side's grip on fifth
place in the table.

Equalling the club's best-ever finish of fourth in 1996-97 looks a target too far.
But Emley are eager to win the battle with Lancaster, over whom they now
have a three-point advantage with three games to go, to take the berth
immediately below title-bound Leigh, Hyde, Gateshead (who host Ronnie
Glavin's side on Saturday) and Marine, the quartet who have formed the top
four since the turn of the year.

It could go all the way to the last day, when Emley visit Lancaster, but the
toughest opponent for Glavin's shoestring-built side could be sheer
tiredness. As well as the League clashes with Gateshead, Hucknall (at home on Monday afternoon) and Lancaster, there's the small matter of a Sheffield Senior Cup
final clash with arch-rivals Frickley to be played at Hillsborough next Wednesday.

Come the final whistle on May 6, Emley will have played 10 times in 22 days,and for part-time players competing at his level, that's a ridiculously tight schedule.

To add to Glavin's woes, David is ruled out of the last three games by the
suspension imposed by his controversial dismissal in the 1-1 draw up at
Bishop Auckland the Saturday before last.At least the big man had the satisfaction of signing off with a goal. His seventh of the season, fired home from 25 yards out with Bishops goalkeeper Steven Jones strangely static, arrived in the 52nd minute and changed the course of a clash which up to that stage, had looked highly likely to end goalless.

It sparked a spell of pressure by the home side during which David shot wide, Day headed over from a super Steve Nicholson cross, and both Jamie Robshaw and Lee Stratford had shots blocked during a scramble sparked by Simeon Bambrook's teasing ball into the box.

Day finally made it two in the 78th minute, lashing home from the edge of the area after Bambrook's shot had been only partially cleared. It was the former Ossett Albion man's third goal in as many games since he returned from a three-match ban and his 19th for the campaign, a more-than decent tally for a late developing player and a fine response to those who suggested he'd be unable to make the step up from the Northern Counties East League.
A final tally in the twenties would be well deserved for a player whose
work rate and determination has been up with the best in an Emley side which
has surpassed all expectations this season.

Result: Emley 2 - 0 Bishop Auckland

24th Apr 2000

Guiseley v Emley 

Day on target again

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Doug Thompson 

Busy Emley showed clear signs of fatigue, but still summoned the strength to grab the goal which left West Yorkshire rivals Guiseley staring straight at relegation from the UniBond League Premier Division.

For a spell, it looked like Ben Gallagher's well-struck 51st-minute penalty for the Nethermoor side might be enough to clinch three points and turn up the heat on Spennymoor United, the team beaten 2-0 by Emley at Wakefield on Saturday.

But top scorer Danny Day capped a spell of pressure from Ronnie Glavin's men - who were playing their fifth match in 10 days - by forcing home his 18th goal of the season in the 81st minute to leave Guiseley two points adrift of the County Durham club, who have two games in hand.

Now Bobby Davison's side, who included former Town men Simon Trevitt and Simon Ireland in yesterday's line-up, must win their final match at Bamber Bridge on Saturday and hope Spennymoor fail to gain more than one point from their remaining three outings, at home to leaders Leigh RMI on Saturday, at Runcorn tomorrow week, and at home to Marine on Saturday, May 6.

It's a stark change in fortunes for a side who still had hopes of winning the title when they drew 1-1 with Emley at Nethermoor last April, and finally finished third.

Even when they drew 1-1 at the Welfare Ground at Christmas, Guiseley looked reasonably comfortable in mid-table, but in 22 matches since, they have won just twice.

It's a salutary lesson of how quickly things can change in football, and how hard it can be to arrest a slide, and there's an extra poignancy for Emley - currently considering ground-sharing with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Rugby League Club - in that the state of Guiseley's under-developed ground means that, should they go down, they could well be refused a place in the Premier Division even if they win promotion back.

Meanwhile Emley, ironically tipped for a relegation battle before the season started, will aim to consolidate their current fifth place when they continue a hectic run-in at home to Bishop Auckland tomorrow.

Not surprisingly, the strain is starting to show, and in a sluggish first half, Emley conjured only one real chance, a 28th-minute shot by Charlie Bradshaw from a teasing cross by the hard-working Steve Nicholson which was blocked.

Lee Poole, Simon Parke and Matt Daly all tried their luck in the opening period for Guiseley, and Andy Rhodes pulled off a good save from Parke in the 47th minute before Gallagher netted his penalty after Parke was held back by Mark Haran.

Bradshaw shot narrowly over on 62 minutes and Day was denied by goalkeeper James Shutt on 71 before Lee's Stratford's fine cross sparked a frantic scramble which finally proved Guiseley's undoing, with Greg Fee and Paul David both firing in shots before substitute Day's effort was ruled to have crossed the line.

Result: Guiseley 1 - 1 Emley

Guiseley: Shutt, Nettleton (Shuttleworth, 89mins), Coleano, Daly, Trevitt, Bulgin, Ireland, Poole, Parke, Cooke, Gallagher. Subs not used: Bower, Elliott.

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran, Fee, David, Tonks (Robshaw, 73mins), Thorpe, Bambrook, Bradshaw (Day, 66mins), Wilson (Stratford).

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham).

6th Apr 2000

Leek Town v Emley

Attendance 173

Emley:: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran, Fee, Stratford, Tonks, Thorpe, Day, Robshaw, Wood, Subs Bradshaw for Day 79mins, Sykes not used, Hamlet for Robshaw 79 mins.

Scorers: Emley: Robshaw 48, Day 72, Nicholson 75pen.

Emley v Runcorn

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By DOUG THOMSON

Day sees red but it's end-of-season stuff

Somebody had better tell Emley they still have 10 UniBond League games left.

This one had a distinct end-of-season feel, coming to life just once, not when Lee Stratford notched a debut winner in the 58th minute, but seven minutes later, when all 22 players became entangled in a skirmish started when home top scorer Danny Day and visiting captain Carl Ruffer traded attempted punches.

In keeping with the game, few found their intended target, but Mansfield referee Stephen Cooke, who managed to frustrate both sets of players in a strangely lethargic display, had little option but to brandish the red card to both protagonists.

Day, only the third Emley player to be sent off during a campaign which has brought a much improved disciplinary record for the Huddersfield club, will now serve a three-match ban.

But because of Emley's busy run-in, it will be completed in just six days, taking in the trip to Bishop Auckland on Saturday April 15, the home clash with Droylsden on Monday 17 and the Sheffield Senior Cup meeting at Worksop Town on Thursday 20.

The ban could hamper 14-goal Day's hopes of finishing his first season at Emley as top scorer, although if Saturday's show is a yardstick, he hasn't got that much to worry about.

Even though Ronnie Glavin's side are eighth, only two others, basement duo Winsford and Spennymoor, have scored fewer times (35 and 34 compared to 40).

Saturday's game was yet another occasion on which Emley struggled to find any frontline punch, with even former Stalybridge Celtic left-back Stratford's winner creeping, rather than flying in, via the hands of Runcorn goalkeeper Richard Acton.

Glavin's men missed five good chances in the first half.

Simeon Bambrook, put through by one of a string of penetrating passes by the impressive Stratford, pushed the ball just too far after six minutes, giving Acton the chance to smother, then shot across the face of goal and wide three minutes later.

After Runcorn midfielder Mike Tomlinson had come close to an own goal with a misjudged back header which Acton had to tip over for a corner, Bambrook freed Paul David in the 29th minute, only for the goalkeeper to block bravely.

Two minutes after that, an unmarked Day headed wide after Jamie Robshaw nodded on David's throw, then five minutes before the break, Robshaw's weak shot trickled past Acton only to bounce back into play off the goalkeeper's left upright.

When Day's 49th-minute shot was well saved and Robshaw's 55th-minute cross just eluded the stretching Stratford, it looked as if Emley's luck was out, but at least the new boy finally managed to make the breakthrough.

Even so, Runcorn might have levelled, with busy striker John McAllister having a 69th-minute effort disallowed after handball in the build-up, shooting just wide after 76 minutes, and bringing a good save from Andy Rhodes after 79.

The victory, in front of just 196 spectators, Emley's lowest League crowd of the season, brought a fourth double, with Runcorn added to Whitby, Winsford and Bamber Bridge.

Emley could make it five at home to Colwyn Bay on Saturday, but before that, they have a tough assignment at Leek Town on Thursday.

Result: Emley 1 - 0 Runcorn

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Stratford, Haran, Fee, David, Day, Thorpe, Bambrook, Robshaw (Bradshaw, 75mins), Wood. Subs not used: Sykes, Tonks.

Runcorn: Acton, Salt (Ellis, 86mins), Callaghan, Chantler, Burke, Ruffer, Tomlinson, Robinson, McNally, McAllister, Griffiths (Moseley, 70mins). Sub not used: Carter.

Referee: Stephen Cooke (Mansfield). 

11th Mar 2000

Emley v Hyde United

This was a dress rehersal for the third rate Unifilla Cup final to be played at Hyde at the end of the month (Hyde won the toss for venue).  Sadly it wasn't a very good advert for that final as it was generally a tedious affair.

Hyde took the lead with 20 minutes to go after Rhodes spilled a shot that bounced awkwardly in front of him.  The Hyde striker tucking the loose ball into an empty net.  Only then did Emley awake from their slumbers.  They forced a series of corners which should have brought a goal from Bradshaw or Day.  However the Hyde keeper kept the ball out somehow.  The best chance of all fell to Hamlet soon afterwards, who should have scored when he had a free shot from 8 yards, the keeper again pulling off a fine save.

Result: Emley 0 - 1 Hyde United

7th Mar 2000

Parkgate v Emley S&HSC

by Richard Poulain

Parkgate took an early lead when in the third minute Ian Dring fired in a shot which Whaley, who was standing in for Rhodes, seemed to see the shot late and was beaten under his body.

Emley upped the pace but were unable to break down a resiliant home defence for whom keeper Butler was in excellent form.

In the second period Emley kept their patience and their shape and gradually wore down the Parkgate defence. It was a moment of cruel luck that eventually changed things. The excellent Butler save a shot from Calcutt at point blank range but in doing so damaged a finger and effectively he could no longer command his area as he had done previously.

Suddenly in the 64th minute Calcutt found space on the edge of the 6 yard box and hit an unstoppable shot inside the near post. In the 69th minute Calcutt again found space on the edge of the area but this time he squared the ball back with precision to Bradshaw who rose majestically at the far post to head in. Matters were wrapped up in the 87th minute when the recently re-signed Bambrook finished off a neat move to score his first goal for the club.

Result: Parkgate 1 - 3 Emley

Emley: Team Whaley, Tonks, Jones, Wilson, Fee, Sykes, Bradshaw, Robinson, Day, Calcutt, Wood, Subs Bambrook for Day, Thorpe and Nicholson not used.

Attendance: 98

4th Mar 2000

Emley v Colwyn Bay Unifilla Cup

Colwyn Bay hit for six as Emley cash in

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Linzi Nicholson 

Emley marched into their first final outside the Sheffield Senior Cup for 10 years with an emphatic victory.

It was the Welfare Ground side's biggest win outside the county competition since Runcorn were routed 6-2 in a UniBond League encounter in February 1998.

And the first of Emley's two knockout engagements in four days - they visit Parkgate in the quarter-finals of the Sheffield Cup tomorrow - was a unanimous verdict in favour of Ronnie Glavin's men.

Emley will now face UniBond Premier Division rivals Hyde United, 3-2 semi-final winners over Leek Town three weeks ago, but the date, venue and match format have yet to be confirmed.

Livewire striker Charlie Bradshaw bagged a brace during an inspired performance and also had a hand in setting up Nicky Wood's 21st-minute opener, rising to win a header, with Wood driving in from close range.

The strike was a timely tonic for Emley, who had started nervously and were guilty of some careless passing.

There was a scare when goalkeeper Andy Rhodes was forced to punch from the head of Graham Roberts following a wicked inswinging cross by Marc Limbert, and soon after, another Limbert centre caused problems.

But Bradshaw created breathing space by making it 2-0 in the 35th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the area after central defender Mark Price had failed to clear.

The gutsy North Wales side gave themselves a lifeline a minute before the break.

Rhodes got down well to parry a free-kick from 25 yards, but Jamie Fairhurst reacted first to turn the ball over the line.

Bradshaw's second in the 51st minute, driven in through a crowd from a narrow angle, proved the catalyst for a home goal spree.

Substitute Dean Calcutt, who came on for Jamie Robshaw in the 75th minute, ran Bay ragged.

In his first contribution, Calcutt raced down the right and cut inside before unleashing a firm strike past helpless goalkeeper Ritchie Roberts.

Bay grabbed a second goal a minute later when Greg Fee was ruled to have bodychecked, and Marc Limbert netted clinically from the spot with a shot into the top right-hand corner.

But up stepped Calcutt to notch his second after Bradshaw broke down the right, paused, and picked out his teammate, who slotted a seventh goal of the season wide of the diving Roberts.

If defender Fee was aggrieved about the harsh penalty decision, he was soon feeling better.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Mansfield man got in on the goalscoring act with a superb glancing header five minutes from time.

Result: Emley 6 - 2 Colwyn Bay

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Tonks, Haran (Sykes, 69mins), Wilson (Fee, 64mins), David, Bradshaw, Thorpe, Bambrook, Robshaw (Calcutt, 75mins), Wood.

Colwyn Bay: Roberts (R), Norman, Fairhurst (McIlvogue, 64mins), Mooney, Caton, Price, Limbert, Gelling, Roberts (G), Evans, Lawton (McGoona, 73mins). Sub not used: Congerton.

Referee: Jeffrey Leach (Oldham).

Attendance: 182.

Emley have launched their own clubcall line on 09066 555808. Calls cost 60p per minute.

26th Feb 2000

Emley 0 Leek Town 0

Another draw...

19th Feb 2000

Barrow v Emley 

This was a very impressive win from what was almost the second team!  With Jones, Fee and Haran all suspended, the defence looked vulnerable, but fortunately they were rarely needed. 

Thorpe excelled in midfield and Wilson made the most of a rare start by scoring.   Similarly Bradshaw put himself about to great effect as, sadly, two Barrow players will testify when they were stretchered off following collisions with him.  Bradshaw also scored to stake a claim to the ever more competitive battle for the striker places.

Result: Barrow 0 - 2 Emley 

Barrow v Emley

Fringe men take centre stage in Emley triumph

Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Doug Thompson 

Patient pair Andy Wilson and Charlie Bradshaw forced their way from the fringes to centre stage to help Emley clinch the win which could just reignite their season.

Seven points from the last nine have left Ronnie Glavin's side seventh in the UniBond League, only 10 points behind leaders Leigh RMI with 16 games still remaining.

Of the last three - the visit to Barrow was preceded by home meetings with Winsford United (won 3-2) and Gainsborough Trinity (drew 0-0) - Saturday's always looked the toughest.

But it provided Emley with one of their most comfortable wins of the campaign, and thanks to goals from Wilson (21 minutes) and Bradshaw (61), Glavin's men were well in command even before Barrow were reduced to 10 men by a 67th-minute ankle injury to former Barnsley midfielder Wayne Bullimore, all three substitutes having already been used.

The feat - Emley's ninth away win in 16 this season - was all the more impressive given Glavin had three defenders suspended, centre-backs Mark Haran and Greg Fee and left-back Simon Jones, and because resources were so stretched, could name only two substitutes instead of the usual three.

When the teamsheet revealed the men on the bench were 13-goal joint top scorers Jamie Robshaw and Danny Day, it seemed a draw was the main target.

But Emley, for whom Wilson made only a 10th start in 45 games this season, Bradshaw an eighth and former Halifax Town striker Gareth Hamlet a fifth, were soon on the attack against a side who had won five of their last six games and drawn the other.

Early crosses from Bradshaw and Rob Tonks which flew across the face of the Barrow goal with no Emley player able to deliver a final touch prompted the fear that the visitors might end up rueing missed opportunities.

Bradshaw then bundled the ball wide from Calcutt's cross before Wilson made his mark, leaping above the Barrow defence to meet Calcutt's corner a plant a firm downward header past goalkeeper Simon Bishop.

David Rush might have netted in every round of the FA Cup to help Sunderland reach the FA Cup final in 1992, but he was unable to find a way past a well-organised and resolute Emley defence featuring skipper Steve Nicholson and Paul Sykes either side of centre-backs Nicky Wood and Paul David.

Nathan Peel headed wide in Barrow's best move of the game after 34 minutes, while Andy Rhodes pulled off a good 43rd-minute save to frustrate pint-sized midfielder Mike McKechnie, the home side's most impressive performer.

Emley, with hard-working Bradshaw catching the eye, continued to look dangerous, and the lanky striker again shot narrowly wide from a Calcutt cross before Wilson whistled a shot inches over in first-half stoppage time.

Impressive displays up to the break have several times been followed by shoddy second-half shows this season, but Emley were in no mood to surrender their lead at Holker Street, and Bradshaw added to the misery of home fans in a 1,175 crowd when he sidefooted home after determined approach play by Day, just on as a substitute for Hamlet.

Tonks shot against an upright after 64 minutes while Robshaw rounded keeper Bishop in the 86th minute, only for Lee Brydon to block a pass intended for the unmarked Day.

Result: Barrow 0 - 2 Emley

Barrow: Bishop, Rogers, Dowell (Whittle, 8mins), Hume (Brydon, 46mins), Waller, McKechnie, Peel (Waddell, 53mins), Bullimore, Rush, Lowe, Doherty.

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Sykes, Bradshaw (Robshaw, 83mins), Wilson, David, Tonks, Thorpe, Hamlet (Day, 60mins), Calcutt, Wood.

Referee: Keith Miller (Northumberland).

See also reports above and below

View from the opposition 

AFC PAY A HIGH PRICE AT HOLKER STREET

Two stretchered off, two more hobble off as injuries bite deep to leave
Bluebirds with just ten men on the field against Emley.
By Phil Pearson, Evening Mail, Monday 21 February

The fact that stretcher bearers saw more action at Holker Street than the
Emley goalkeeper perfectly illustrates the double disappointment for Barrow
AFC on Saturday. Firstly, the fact AFC only managed one shot on target all
day and saw their seven match unbeaten run come to an end will have been bad
enough for boss Kenny Lowe, but losing four players in the process must be
an absolute disaster for him: Already performing a juggling act with a paper
thin squad, Lowe saw two of his players hobble off and another two carried
off on their backs on stretchers. For the last 24 minutes Barrow had to try
and claw back two goals with just ten fit men on the pitch as all three subs
had been used by the time Wayne Bullimore left the field to be taken to
Furness General Hospital with a suspected broken leg. AFC started the game
in lethargic mood, but after just seven minutes whatever plans they had for
the afternoon started to fall apart literally blow by blow. First on the
stretcher was left-back Wayne Dowell. He stooped low to head clear a ball in
the area and was rewarded with a boot in the face from Emley's Charlie
Bradshaw.

That sparked the first of four reshuffles for Barrow. Chris Whittle came on
and went to right back with Lee Rogers switching to fill the other full-back
role. For the first 20 minutes the game was plagued by constant stoppages,
but the physical Emley were definitely on top and looked like the only side
who were going to score. Bradshaw went close with a close-range flick that
just went wide on 19 minutes, but that didn't matter two minutes later when
the Yorkshiremen went ahead. It came from a corner on the left, taken by
Dean Calcutt, that found Andy Wilson six yards out. The big defender got up
well and without being challenged headed the ball down and into the back of
the net. Barrow's defence was not helped by the fact Mark Hume was limping
badly from 23 minutes until half-time with a leg injury that could see him
sitting out the next few games. With all this going on Barrow struggled to
get into the game and they only had two well wide, long range efforts from
David Rush and Bullimore to show for their efforts until two minutes from
half-time.

That was when their one shot on target all afternoon arrived. It came after
Rush took full advantage of two Emley defenders falling over themselves in
their own D. Rush picked up the loose ball and slid it to Mike McKechnie
coming into the area on the right. The midfielder hit the target and the
keeper couldn't hold it. Nathan Peel steamed in, but the ball bobbled up and
he couldn't tuck it away from close range. Hume didn't emerge for the second
half and Lee Brydon was brought on at right back with Whittle switching to
the centre.

Two minutes in and Barrow nearly got back on level terms through boss Lowe.
He fired a great drive from inside the Emley D after a Peel lay-off, that
beat the keeper, but just went over the bar. The hope that gave the fans
diminished again five minutes later when Peel limped off with a hamstring
injury. Youngster Martin Waddell came on in his place and went to right
midfield with Neil Doherty switching from the wing to playing alongside
Rush. It was all going wrong for Barrow and on 62 minutes they went 2-0
down. After failing to clear the ball substitute Darren Day was allowed to
square the ball from the right-hand side of the area to give Bradshaw a
simple tap in. That was the point of no return for AFC, who to their credit
never gave up, but were never going to claw it back. Then salt was rubbed
into the many wounds on 66 minutes when Bullimore went down injured and
became the second AFC played to make a horizontal exit from the field. It
was just an awful game for Barrow and with just one booking made, a match
the referee obviously felt was played in the true spirit of the game.

Lowe agreed after the final whistle and was slow to criticise Emley or the
official, but, all the same, it was still a very costly 90 minutes for the
Barrow player/manager.

SIMON BISHOP: 7 - Couldn't do anything about either goal and was solid
enough.
LEE ROGERS: 6 - Had to switch from right to left back and coped ok, but
failed to clear the ball which ultimately led to Emley's second.
WAYNE DOWELL: / - Only on the field for seven minutes. Carried off on a
stretcher after receiving a boot in the head.
MARK HUME: 6 - Another casualty of the game. He only lasted 46 minutes and
played 22 of those with a leg injury, but he battled on for the cause.
MICHAEL WALLER: *7* - Tried to hold everything together in a defence that
was reshuffled three times in the 90 minutes.
MIKE McKECHNIE: 6 - Tried hard in midfield, but the physical nature of Emley
made it hard for him to really get involved.
NATHAN PEEL: 6 - The bustling forward was doing well until he pulled his
hamstring on 52 minutes and had to go off.
WAYNE BULLIMORE: 7 - Tried to open up Emley with some decent balls from
midfield, but he too didn't see the end of the game after possibly breaking
his leg.
DAVID RUSH: 5 - Didn't see much of the ball, but he doesn't have Nick
Peverell's work-rate and it stood out.
KENNY LOWE: 6 - Looked tired.
NEIL DOHERTY: 6 - Got some balls into the box, but had a lot of quiet
spells.
Barrow AFC subs: Chris Whittle (Dowell seven minutes), Lee Brydon (Hume 45
mins), Martin Waddell (Peel 52 mins).

The Opposition: Rhodes, Nicholson, Sykes, Bradshaw (Robshaw 82 mins),
Wilson, David, Tonks, Thorpe, Hamlet (Day 60 mins), Calcutt, Wood.
Goals: Emley: Wilson (21 mins), Bradshaw (62 mins).
Red Cards: None.
Yellow cards: Emley: Wood (84 mins).
Off sides: Barrow: None. Emley: 2
Free kicks: Barrow: 12 Emley: 4
Shots on target: Barrow: 1 Emley: 2
Shots off target: Barrow: 6 Emley: 12
Corners: Barrow: 2 Emley: 4
Referee: Mr K Miller (Cowpen, Northumberland)
Attendance: 1175

another report below

Barrow v Emley

MATCH REPORT FROM ALAN HOSKING

What a nightmare! The worst performance I've seen for a while in front of a
good crowd considering the Six Nations was in progress (1175?).

Things didn't start too well when Hume was injured early in the game, but
managed to limp around until half time, when he was substituted. Also in the
early stages of the game, Dowell received a kick in the face and had to go
off with what looked to be a jaw injury. He was replaced by Whittle. Without
Peverell, Barrow looked lost. I thought Rush would come in and try and earn
a regular first team place but obviously he is happy on the bench. When
asked (or told!) to look interested by the crowd, he replied "f**k off!" I
seem to remember him doing this before.

Barrow never got to grips with the game, with Emley making Barrow chase
around but without a Challender or Housham, the midfield was non-existent.
Emley took the lead midway through the first half though I can't remember
how at all! I have a tendency to forget all of the opposition's goals, which
may be for the best! I can't remember Barrow having a good chance in the
whole 90 minutes or even forcing a corner. Emley didn't have too many chance
either until Barrow went down to ten men in the second half when Bullimore
was the subject of a late tackle on the edge of the Emley area. The referee
chose to ignore this foul and Bullimore had to wait until the ball when out
of play before he could be stretchered off in obvious agony.

The second goal came after Peel was substituted with what looked like a
hamstring injury, to be replaced by local youngster Waddell. Emley attacked
down the right and when the ball came in Barrow had about three chances to
clear but chose not to take any of them and an Emley player just had to poke
home from close range. There was no way Barrow were going to get back into
it and the game tailed off with only a few minor scuffles happening in the
last fifteen minutes.

All in all there was no determination which led to a very poor performance
with only McKechnie, Doherty, Waller and Bishop coming away with any credit.

14th Feb 2000

Emley v Gainsborough Trinity

Ironically this was a much better performance than Saturday, but the old problem of not taking chances resurfaced.  This may be solved by the return of Simeon Bambrook.   He has been released by Garforth who are in financial trouble, and had no hesitation in re-signing for Emley ahead of Worksop and Farsley Celtic.  Sadly he's injured at the moment, but he should be available soon.  His reason for leaving last season was the pressure the travelling put on his home life.  This has eased now, so hopefully we can look forward to a long and fruitful contribution from him.

Result: Emley 0 - 0 Gainsborough Trinity

12th Feb 2000

Emley v Winsford United

Despite the result, this was not a good performance against bottom of the league Winsford, who have only had one win all season.

Emley got off to a great start with a goal in the first minute from Day.  However they somehow allowed Winsford to equalise before half-time and take the lead soon after the break.

Thankfully, with four minutes left, Hamlet got the equaliser, and on 89 minutes Emley got a penalty which Nicholson converted.

Result: Emley 3 - 2 Winsford United

8th Feb 2000

Gainsborough Trinity v Emley

This match was played in very poor conditions, with a howling gale from one end to the other.  It was in Emley's favour in the First Half, but they only had Jamie Robshaw's goal on 9 minutes to show for their dominance, which should have meant at least three more goals.

The second half was just the opposite, virtually one-way traffic.  However, unlike Emley,  Gainsborough took advantage with goals in the 59th and 61st minutes.

Result: Gainsborough Trinity 2 - 1 Emley

5th Feb 2000

Southport v Emley  (FA Trophy 4th Rd)

Emley handed another cup defeat

Emley's exit from the FA Cup in October centred around a controversial hand-ball awarded against Paul David which gave Southport a penalty to break the deadlock.   This match too centred round a hand-ball incident, and again Emley came off worst.

The game was well balanced, mainly because Southport had been reduced to 10 men following two brutal challenges on Dean Calcutt in the first 15 minutes.  Then in the 39th minute came an apparently innocuous cross which surprised Rhodes.  He managed to palm the ball away, but the Southport striker running in on the far post guided the ball into the net, quite clearly using his right hand.  Amazingly the officials and particularly Linesman Hargreaves failed to see the offence.  Southport couldn't believe their luck and Emley were pushed into angry protests which eventually lead to Rhodes being booked.

Soon after half-time, with Emley still trying to recover from their shock came the killer blow when Southport got their second.  The dismissal of Simon Jones after a very late challenge capped a miserable day and virtually ended Emley's hopes of getting a result.  Even when Robshaw was presented with an open goal right at the end it still wouldn't go in as the Southport defender produced an desperate goal-line block.

On the whole Southport always looked the most likely to score, even with 10 men.   They commanded the midfield and only Calcutt's pace looked likely to unsettle them.   Robshaw again looked isolated up front.  Only after the late introduction of Day did Emley threaten to score.

Result: Southport 2 - 0 Emley 

Team:  Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran, Fee (Day), David, Tonks(Hamlet), Thorpe, Robshaw, Calcutt, Wood.

Manager Ronnie Glavin wants to bring lethal striker Simeon Bambrook back
to Emley - and if this disjointed and disappointing display is a yardstick, his return
can't come quick enough.

The former soldier rattled 12 goals in 25 games last season before returning
to original club Garforth Town because his commitments as a fireman made it
difficult for him to get to matches and training sessions regularly.

A cash crisis at the Northern Counties East League club means Bambrook is
likely to become available, and Glavin, desperate to rejuvenate a misfiring
frontline, has already had talks with the 27-year-old, whose difficulties in
juggling football and work have eased.

The obvious danger is that Bambrook will become the centre of an auction,
and Emley will lose out, just as they did over Mick Norbury, who made an
11th-hour switch to Hednesford after agreeing terms with Glavin last week.

Norbury was on target as the Midlands club thrashed Altrincham 5-0 in the
Conference on Saturday, rubbing salt in the wounds of Emley, who were
blanked out despite Southport being reduced to 10 men after only 12 minutes.

Central defender Tim Ryan was dismissed after earning a second yellow card
for a second foul in four minutes on Dean Calcutt, who caused Mark Wright's
Conference side no end of problems in the opening half hour.

The stage was set for a memorable victory, but Emley, unable to take
advantage of their numerical superiority, missed out on a great chance of
gaining revenge for their FA Cup elimination by Southport earlier this
season.

The eccentric refereeing of Wolverhampton whistler Steve Castle certainly
had an effect.

Robert Pell's 39th-minute opener was clearly propelled home by hand, while
Simon Jones' 63rd-minute lunge on Dominic Morley was more deserving of a
booking than the red card handed out by an official who too often seemed
swayed by baying home fans.

One suspects that had Ryan not been sent off, Jones wouldn't have either,
but given the way the game was going, Emley had only themselves to blame,
because they lost their discipline and shape - and as a result, the tie.

Five other Emley players were booked in a niggly, untidy clash which was
concluded by a spat between Southport chief Wright, the former England
international, and goalkeeper Andy Rhodes, which did neither any credit.

Rhodes, who pulled off a couple of great saves to deny Pell and Lee Elam,
had already been lectured by the referee after appearing to trade insults
with spectators behind a goal which was breached just 40 seconds into the
second half when former Guiseley man Elam latched on to a Pell pass to slide
home a shot which effectively killed the game as a contest.

Emley had been denied an equaliser just seconds before the interval.

Big Australian defender Scott Guyett was lucky not to join Ryan in the
dressing room after hacking down Rob Tonks during a flowing move which
culminated in Calcutt chipping home only for Castle to pull play back for a
free-kick rather than allowing the visitors the advantage.

"It was frustrating, to say the least" said Glavin.

"It would be easy to blame the referee, but we have to look at ourselves,
because we lost the plot.

"We should have kept our shape, kept patient and kept out of any
controversy, but we allowed ourselves to be dragged into things, we let the
manner of their goal get to us, and then we had the further frustration of
the goal which was disallowed.

"Even at that stage, the game was still there for the taking, but we let
them get a second in the first minute of the second half, then ended up in
complete disarray with a man sent off."

Emley's afternoon was typified in injury time when Jamie Robshaw took
possession of a loose ball and dribbled past goalkeeper Steve Dickinson only
to shoot against an upright with the goal at his mercy.

Scarborough, who drew 1-1 at Slough club Burnham, are Yorkshire's only
Trophy survivors after Doncaster went down 1-0 at home to Dover.

Result: Southport 2 - 0 Emley

see also report above

22nd Jan 2000

Stalybridge Celtic 0 Emley 0

18th Jan 2000

Guiseley v Emley Unifilla Cup

Hamlet strikes to force Cup replay

Emley discovered the identity of their FA Trophy fourth-round opponents a fortnight on Saturday, but if this cup clash had gone until then, it's doubtful whether it would have been settled. Ronnie Glavin's side will have to find a sharper cutting edge if they are to trouble Conference club Southport at Haig Avenue on February 5, and the only saving grace last night was that Guiseley struggled just as much to make their mark.

While Southport, who put Emley out of the FA Cup earlier this season, beat Conference rivals Altrincham on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Moss Lane last night, the two UniBond League rivals fought out a 1-1 draw for the second time in three weeks.

For 60 minutes at Nethermoor, it looked as if the game was set to finish goalless.

It took a penalty to provide a breakthrough - Ben Gallacher confidently firing home after Paul David was somewhat harshly judged to have fouled Paul Bulgin - but the goal was cancelled out within five minutes, and thereafter, normal service was resumed.

At least the game provided a moment of triumph for Gareth Hamlet.

Handed a starting berth because recent signing Robbie Clarke was unexpectedly unavailable, the ex-Halifax man chalked up the 65th-minute equaliser, shooting firmly home after Jamie Robshaw crossed from a move initiated by the hard-working Dean Calcutt.

Hamlet netted twice in the Sheffield Senior Cup first-round victory over minnows Thorpe Hesley, but this was his first goal against opposition of an equivalent standard, and capped an encouraging performance.

The Unifilla Cup might be the UniBond League's equivalent of the Watney Cup - pretty meaningless in the overall scheme of things - but there was no shortage of endeavour and competitiveness - just chances.

Each side had one genuine attempt on goal in the first half, with Emley's Andy Rhodes saving well from Andrew Shuttleworth's shot on the turn after 16 minutes before Guiseley goalkeeper James Shutt reacted smartly to deny Robshaw when he volleyed cleanly from a half-cleared Simon Jones corner.

Calcutt had a great opportunity two minutes after the restart when Robshaw flicked on from Rhodes' kick-out, but the wingman watched in agony as his low shot was tipped for a corner.

Guiseley's Simon Ireland shot wide from a good position soon after before another ex-Town player, midfielder Andy Williams, twice wasted free-kicks from good central positions, firing the first straight into the wall and the second wide.

Danny Day and Rob Tonks both had efforts blocked during a light Emley flurry late on, but a last-gasp winner for either side would have been undeserved.

Result: Guiseley 1 - 1 Emley

Guiseley: Shutt, Sanders, Hogarth, Hook, Gallacher, Bulgin, Cooke, Williams,
Parke, Ireland, Shuttleworth. Subs not used: Brooks, Coleano, Nettleton.

Emley: Rhodes, Hamlet (Sykes, 76mins), Jones, Haran, Fee, David, Tonks,
Wilson (Day, 65mins), Robshaw, Calcutt, Wood. Sub not used: Robinson.

Referee: David Birkett (Gainsborough).

15th Jan 2000

Emley v Frickley FA Trophy

Frickley's Hatto sees red in frenzied opening

Emley made hard work of winning a tie shaped by the extra-early dismissal of Frickley's Gary Hatto, but few would dispute their right to feature in the last 32 of the country's top cup competition for non-League clubs.

This derby has been keenly-fought ever since Ronnie Glavin took over at Emley shortly after leaving the South Elmsall club in 1994, but Saturday's showdown will take some beating.

Red cards have been shown quicker - the world record is 10 seconds, set by Bologna's Giuseppe Lorenzo in an Italian League match in 1990 and the British 'best' 19 seconds by Crewe goalkeeper Mark Smith in 1994 - but not often.

Just 110 seconds had elapsed when experienced midfielder Hatto, desperate to mark his 15th season at Frickley with an extended Trophy run, saw red.

He clashed with Dean Calcutt as the Emley man embarked on a diagonal run just inside the Frickley half, first kicking out, then aiming a headbutt.

Mark Cowburn, a Blackpool-based Nationwide League referee who is being strongly tipped for promotion to the Premiership next season, was perfectly placed, and had no hesitation in brandishing the card.

"The referee was 100% right, and as the club captain, Gary should know better, admitted Frickley manager Ian Thompson. "He had to go, but it cost us the game."

While Frickley were certainly forced onto the back foot - Emley hit the woodwork three times before finally going in front in the 25th minute - the sending off ensured they got men behind the ball and battened down the hatches, making it even tougher for the home side to break through.

With former Town goalkeeper Derek O'Connor making a string of saves and ex-Emley centre-back Michael Thompson as solid as ever, the opening quarter was frustrating for Glavin and his side.

Greg Fee's cross-cum-shot was tipped over, Simon Jones shot against the bar after former Frickley man Miles Thorpe's header was parried, then the lively Steve Nicholson, playing as a midfielder rather than in his usual right-back role, shaved O'Connor's left upright with a looping shot.

Then, on 20 minutes, Jamie Robshaw's confidently-struck right-foot shot from a neat Paul David lay-off looked a sure-fire goal - until the rolling ball hit a divot, then the same post as before, and rebounded into the grateful O'Connor's arms.

There was little O'Connor could do when Emley finally went in front five minutes later.

Fee freed Robshaw with a measured upfield pass and the former Rotherham and Lincoln trainee got between Thompson and fellow centre-back Dean Jones to lash home his 12th of the season.

Robshaw almost made it two a minute later, but O'Connor bravely blocked at his feet.

At this stage, Emley looked set to take control, but Frickley threw the game open again by levelling against the run of the play in the 33rd minute.

Emley's failure to clear their lines allowed Rob Hanby to fire the ball back into the penalty area, and Andy Hayward, the lively frontman whose first spell at Frickley was ended when Glavin helped him win a move to Rotherham, made no mistake with a diagonal left-foot drive.

"What a great goal," added Thompson, of Hayward's 22nd of the season. "He only had one chance in the whole game, and took it brilliantly. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side after a strike like that."

Thompson's feeling of being hard done by must have increased when Emley regained the lead with a scrappy goal in first-half added time.

David won the ball in a full-blooded challenge with Hanby and fed Jones, who crossed to Danny Day, on as a substitute for hamstring injury victim Thorpe.

Day cracked in a shot which O'Connor seemed to have kept out, only for the ball to loop in the air and over the line, providing the Emley man with his 12th of the campaign.

After such a frantic first half, it was no surprise that the second was less eventful.

Emley had the best of the chances, with Day's dipping shot saved, Nicholson shooting just wide and Robshaw ramming home a fierce drive only to be harshly pulled up for offside.

"It wasn't particularly pretty, but we've come through a tough derby tie and I've got to be pleased with that," said Glavin.

Result: Emley 2 - 1 Frickley

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran, Fee, David, Sykes (Tonks, 61mins),
Thorpe (Day, 17mins), Robshaw, Calcutt (Wilson, 89mins), Wood. Subs not
used: Robinson, Clarke.

Frickley: O'Connor, Gardner, Hilton, Jones, Thompson, Brewster (Collins,
54mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Atkinson (Duffty, 61mins), Hatto. Subs not
used: Earnshaw, Heckingbottom, Higgins.

Referee: Mark Cowburn (Blackpool).

Attendance: 416.

8th Jan 2000

Droylsden v Emley

Haran injury leaves Emley to sweat it out

 Huddersfield Examiner Report: By Doug Thompson 

Hard working Emley gained two UniBond League places - but were left in a sweat over one of their most consistent performers of the campaign.

Centre-back Mark Haran was left with injured ribs after coming off worst in a three-way collision with Emley goalkeeper Andy Rhodes and Droylsden striker Andy Green.

Now manager Ronnie Glavin is waiting to see whether the former Rotherham United player will be forced to miss a string of important matches, starting with Saturday's FA Trophy third-round derby with Frickley Athletic at the Welfare Ground.

"Mark took a nasty blow and was left in a lot of pain and struggling to breath properly," explained Glavin, who brought on midfielder Rob Tonks and reverted to two rather than the usual three centre-backs after the 33rd-minute incident.

"Initial reports are that he hasn't fractured any ribs, but we'll have to see how the injury settles down before estimating when he might be back."

The loss of Haran, who had started every UniBond match this term before flu confined him to the bench at Leigh on Monday (he made a late entry as Emley battled vainly to avoid a 1-0 defeat), would be a major blow both for player and manager.

Glavin was left with a major problem when Michael Thompson and Neil Lacey - rated by many as the best central defensive pairing in the UniBond - both left in the summer.

But he pulled off a masterstroke with his recruitment of 22-year-old Haran from Frickley and experienced former Sheffield Wednesday player Greg Fee from Telford United to play in a three-man rearguard alongside Nicky Wood.

That has been the foundation from which Emley have defied the critics who said they would struggle to avoid a relegation battle.

Despite a run of just six points from 21, Saturday's draw at the Butchers Arms put Glavin's side in sixth place one match into the second half of the season.

It's an open league, and a return to the form produced earlier in the campaign would put Emley firmly in the shake-up.

But with a small squad and little money for further recruitment, it's vital long-term injury absences are avoided.

"We'll have to hope Mark's injury isn't as bad as it first appeared, because he's a very useful lad to have around," added Glavin.

At least Emley adapted well to the departure of Haran in a match which was more about chances missed than those taken.

The East Manchester side, who looked more accomplished than their fourth-bottom placing suggests, went ahead after 25 minutes, when Dave Ashton's shot from a well-placed Carl Holmes cross defied Rhodes' energetic efforts to block with his feet.

It was hard luck on the in-form keeper, who had already produced an excellent save to thwart Holmes during a passage of play in which Harvey Cunningham's shot hit the bar after ricocheting off Haran.

Emley equalised on 57 minutes when Fee headed home his second goal of the season after the ball looped into the air when Paul David challenged Droyslden centre-back Neil Whalley as Steve Nicholson pumped in a free-kick from the right.

Then both teams had chances to seal the points.

Emley's best fell to Dean Calcutt, who ran on to a neat David flick only to produce a poor final shot, Jamie Robshaw, who effort was deflected for a corner, and Tonks, who saw his drive blocked by former Town midfielder Kevin Lampkin.

And at the other end, Fee got in a vital block from Wes Kinney, Ashton was denied by another first-class Rhodes save, and an unmarked Green somehow hooked a shot over the top after being picked out by Droylsden's lively young left winger Anthony Wright.

Result: Droylsden 1 - 1 Emley

Droylsden: Phillips, Prior, Lattie, Ashton, Whalley, Holmes, Cunningham, Lampkin, Green, Kinney, Wright (Stannard, 86mins). Subs not used: Hennigan, Corns.

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Haran (Tonks, 33mins), Fee, David, Sykes (Day, 73mins), Thorpe, Robshaw, Calcutt, Wood. Sub not used: Wilson.

Referee: Wayne Lomas (Sheffield).

3rd Jan 2000

Leigh RMI v Emley

Emley saw in the new millennium with an unlucky defeat at top of the table Leigh.   The New Year saw a totally expected lack of improvements in refereeing standards as Emley had two very strong claims to penalties turned down by the inconsistent man in black, however Andy Rhodes excellent form was an important factor in keeping Emley in with a chance.

Rhodes had already made two point blank saves by the time Leigh took the lead in the fifteenth minute.  He nearly got this one too, but the power of the shot took it into the net.

Emleys unambitious formation - just Robshaw up front - ensured that they found it very difficult to break out from their own half.  This was a shame because Robshaw worked his socks off (to quote Harry Redknapp from two years ago this day).  His doggedness created three chances, which might just have been converted had he had a strike partner.   On one occassion he dribbled round Dave Felgate who had left his goal to play right-back, his shot from a tight angle went into the net, but sadly it passed through a hole in the side netting.  That was one of the few things the ref spotted all day.   His second chance saw beat a couple of players and hold the ball up waiting for support, but the midfield had still not caught up with him and the chance was wasted.   Just before half-time he nipped in front of Felgate and would have planted the ball but from some excellent defending from the Leigh defender who pinched it off his toes.

The second half was more even than the first and the belated introduction of Day and then Calcutt gave Emley a much more balanced and threatening look.  Rhodes however was performing heroics to deny Leigh who could have killed the game by the hour if it had not been for the Emley 'keeper.  Nicky Wood also performed well in defence.   Emley had a number of near attempts and should have had penalties for a clear foul on Calcutt who, as usual, caused problems with his trickery, and for hand-ball soon afterwards.

New man Sykes came close with an opportunistic shot, and Robshaw also had chances, but the closest Emley came was in injury time when Haran put the ball wide from close range - he hit it too cleanly, had he scuffed it, it would have gone in.

Result: Leigh RMI 1 - 0 Emley

Emley: Rhodes, Nicholson, Jones, Wilson (Day), Fee, David, Tonks (Calcutt), Thorpe, Robshaw, Sykes (Haran), Wood.