Report

SANDY LANE v  AFC EMLEY   Won 6 - 0 

AFC Emley completed their West Yorkshire League season with a thumping 6 – 0 victory at Sandy Lane’s Marley Stadium.

An Alan Laud hat-trick, a brace from Phil Smith and one from Tim Clarke were enough to see off a very young Sandy Lane side.

AFC Emley finished third in the Division One table and were beaten semi finalists in the League Cup in their inaugural season.

Next season they will play in the Northern Counties East Division One  

Team: Stephenson, Dennis, O’Reilly, Robinson, Maturine, Hirst (Clarke 55), Washington, Laud (Tomlinson 70), Flynn (Cook 55), Joice

AFC EMLEY v RIPON CITY MAGNETS  Won 1 - 0  

AFC EMLEY rounded of their home fixtures in the West Yorkshire League with a hard fought 1-0 victory over a hard working Ripon City team.

In fact the first half belonged mostly to the visitors with the majority of the half spent in the AFC half of the field.

In the second period AFC did improve and spent the half peppering the visitor’s goal. Finally with 15minutes left to play Laud finally put one of his many shots away with a cool finish following good build up play from front to back starting with a long clearance by Stephenson in the AFC goal.  

Team: Stephenson, Mann, O’Reilly, Quinn, Robinson, Pinnock, Washington, Laud (Clarke 80) Joice, Maturine, Smith, Subs Not Used: Gill, Dennis

CHURWELL LIONS v  AFC EMLEY   Lost 1 - 4

AFC Emley slumped to one of their worst defeats of the season when they were soundly beaten by Churwell Lions. Three first half goals went unanswered and only a second half goal by Laud gave any hope to the visitors.

AFC EMLEY v ILKLEY  Lost 0 - 2  

A lively Ilkley team showed AFC Emley how to finish limited chances, as they took full advantage of their two chances but Emley wasted everyone of their many chances and although dominating most of the game ended goalless and pointless.

Ilkley scored after 10 minutes when keeper Stephenson failed to clear and Houlston nipped in to score. Their second came 10 minutes from the end when Blenkhorn scored following a breakaway with Emley camped in the Ilkley half.

Team: Stephenson, Dennis (Clarke 80), O'Reilly, Robinson, Pinnock, Quinn (Tomlinson 38), Washington, Joice, Laud, Flynn, Reynolds (Smith 70), 

AFC miss out on final spot

Apr 11 2006 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC EMLEY missed out on the chance to celebrate a cup final place, at the end of their inaugural season, losing 3-2 to Beeston St Anthonys in the West Yorkshire League Cup semi-final.

Beeston, third in the Premier Division, one section above AFC, were put under severe pressure, but Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald's side simply failed to convert possession into goals.

Max Joice gave Emley a dream start, firing his side ahead after only four minutes. But Beeston hit back and took a 2-1 lead at the break.

Then, as Emley increased the tempo during a second half in which they dominated, John Paul Flynn came off the bench to snatch an 80th minute equaliser, heading in a Michael Reynolds' cross.

But, as they went in search of the winner, Beeston caught them on the break, scoring with two minutes remaining to go through.

The club's first presentation evening will be held at The Wentworth on 
Saturday, April 29 (8.00).

POOL v AFC EMLEY  Drew 2 - 2

In an exciting game with periods of end to end football AFC Emley warmed up for their League Cup Semi Final (1^st April) with a draw against Pool in the League. 

AFC took the game to the home team and deservedly took the lead in the 8^th minute, when John Paul Flynn was put through and placed an unstoppable shot passed Neale in the Pool goal. However as seems to be usual these days AFC sat back and allowed the home team to get back on terms in the 25^th minute when a gap in the defence allowed Joyce to shoot passed Stephenson. 

This spurred AFC again and on 40 minutes Reynolds was upended in the box and Washington slotted home the resulting penalty. 

In the second half Pool continued to exploit gaps in the AFC defence and in the 65^th minute drew level again when a Booth shot was deflected into the net with Stephenson stranded. 

Things could have been worse, just two minutes later, if Pool had scored from the penalty spot. Robinson allegedly fouled an opponent but Rake put his penalty against the post and AFC’s blushes were spared. Pool were reduced to 10 men in the 80^th minute when Tweedie was sent off for his second yellow card offence. This was a harsh decision but Pool played well for the remaining time to hold on for the draw. 

Team: Stephenson, Robinson, Clarke, Hirst (Gill 88), Pinnock, Hitchen, Washington, Quinn, Cook, Flynn (Murphy 72), Reynolds (Tomlinson 72), 

AFC EMLEY v ROBIN HOOD ATHLETIC  Lost  1 – 3 

Another below par AFC Emley performance saw them beaten by a team who were prepared to come and do battle. Although AFC maintained most of the possession during the game they lacked both ideas and penetration, and again the defence was opened up to easily on the occasions that Robin Hood attacked.

The first half goal for the visitors was a scrambled affair with the away team getting the run of the ball. AFC had come close earlier with a good run and strike by Tim Clarke which hit the cross bar.

In the second half AFC were the better side in the middle of the park with Joe Washington competing for everything with 100% commitment. Again the AFC defence was found wanting and Robin Hood increased their lead to 3-0 following good strikes from their attackers. As if to prove their attacking superiority they also hit the cross bar on two occasions.

Max Joice was introduced late on after return from injury and provided some good and much needed enthusiasm, testing the resolve of the Robin Hood defence.

A good late strike from a free kick by Craig Hitchen provided the highlight of the day for the AFC fans.

MOUNT ST MARYS v  AFC EMLEY  Won 1 - 0 

In biting cold and wintery conditions, Emley made heavy weather of beating bottom side Mount St Marys. On a field more suited to a ploughing contest than football AFC started brightly enough and went ahead after just 4 minutes when Michael Reynolds ran on to a superb through ball by John Paul Flynn and beat the keeper easily.

Minutes later Reynolds was through on goal again but this time was unceremoniously hacked down from behind. The referee inexplicably only issued a yellow card and then failed to get the defenders back the required distance. The free kick was lifted over the bar with the visiting crowd baying at the referee for justice.

In fact this was one of the poorest displays by a referee for some time. He allowed the home players to crowd him and swear at him, (loudly enough for all to hear) .

Mount did have their moments. On two occasions the home side were through, one on one, with only Stephenson to beat and both times the keeper bravely saved.

Tim Clarke at left back made a number of foraging runs and crosses and, for one so young' looks to have a bright future in front of him. Paul Robinson skippered the side for the first time and was very assured in the heart of the defence.

Team: Stephenson, Mann, Clarke, Robinson, Pinnock (Bramald 80, Hirst, Hitchen, Washington, Cook, Flynn (Murphy 80), Reynolds. Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Mwale

AFC EMLEY v CHURWELL LIONS  Lost 2 - 3     Reports / comments  from FORUM contributors

1.  

SCORE 2-3 

POOR REF, GOOD GOALS THOUGH FIRST CHURWELL GOAL WIERD.
PHIL SMITH CONTENDER FOR GOAL OF THE SEASON,
GOOD NEW TO SEE JELLY BACK  

FENCE FINISHED JUST AWAITING THE LOCAL COMPANIES OF EMLEY TO SPONSOR IT !! (PHOTO TAKEN) 
P.S GOOD JOB LOOKS FAR BETTER THAN STOCKSBRIDGE (JUST HOPE JACK NEWTONS NOT READING THIS) !

ATTENDENCE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY HUDDERSFIELD / BARNSLEY BOTH PLAYING BIG MATCHES AT HOME

STILL AWAITING SWR AND SWC RESULTS IF THEY PLAYED,

2. 

Ref was poor, Churwell number 6 should have been sent off, he got away with it on more than one occasion.

Having said that, AFC were poor, the two full backs and the tall striker looked like they'd never played before during the first half. Jelly looked a shadow of his former self. Churwell could easily have scored two or three before they actually scored if it hadn't have been for the AFC keeper.

Second half AFC were better, Max Joice was the best player on the park, 100% commitment while everyone else looked a bit below their best.

Pitch was good to say we have had a lot of bad weather this week, and the pies are of the same high standard that I remember.

But the standard wasn't great, the fact that the referee had no linesmen didn't help his performance, Jelly was onside in the first half at 0-1 when he was one-on-one with the 'keeper, but the referee couldn't be blamed for the things that the linesman would normally see.

3. Churwell supporter

I'm not going to come on here and slag anyone off or anything but I cant see how anyone at that game can blame the referee for Emley losing....

I think (maybe a bit biased but in my opinion)  Churwell deserved their win with little Jacko upfront deserving his hat trick.... I cant honestly say any Churwell player had a bad game... even Mazey in Midfield who your fans tried getting sent off 'cos the Emley midfield couldn't take a challenge... if anything it should have been your No.4 at centre half for rushing in and pushing him in the face.... (which is a red card offence in ANY GAME)

I heard that No. 4 had played at Emley and Garforth... was expecting a better player to be honest... he got involved in personal battles too much and not on the task in hand which was 3 points at home!!!???

I think Emleys best player was the short lad up front... he had lightening pace and caused our defenders no end of trouble... an excellent player!!!! Their keeper was a bit suspect on shots i.e. couldn't hold them...

Yes your 2nd Goal was a screamer... an excellent hit on the run.... all in all I don't think you can complain about the result.... (although I'm sure someone is going to) lol

 1 more thing... your bench was EXTREMELY quite ALL game.... in the dugout next to them we could not hear ANY instructions... encouragement... nothing... p.s. the woman behind your goal winding our keepper up was very funny by all accounts.... well done, I'm sure you'll have a strong finish to the season... see you at our place.... (unfortunately you won't have no canteen or anywhere to sit) ... lol

HARTSHEAD SENIORS v  AFC EMLEY (CUP)  2 - 2 AET 
(AFC won 3-2 on penalties)         West Yorkshire League Cup Quarter Final 

AFC Emley progressed through to the Semi Finals of the West Yorkshire Association League Cup with a nail biting win after extra time and penalties. There they will meet either Howden Clough or Beeston St. Anthonys

Emley started very strongly and dominated an opposition who only a month ago had beaten them 3 - 2 in the League. Hartshead have been on a tremendous run since Christmas having secured the services of a number of NCE players from Liversedge.

The pressure was to tell when after only 8 minutes John Paul Flynn collected a through ball from Criag Hitchen and tucked it neatly under the advancing keeper. 
6 minutes later Emley increased their lead when Max Joice was put through  by Flynn and he too beat the advancing keeper. Then inexplicable Emley took their foot off the pedal and although still reasonably comfortable began to let Hartshead back into the game.

In the second half the home side began to dominate themselves and for long periods pegged Emley in their own half. Their pressure paid off when two goals in six minutes brought the sides level. Firstly Reed scored following a free kick which was not cleared. Then Gill took advantage of hesitancy in the goal area between Tim Stephenson and Joe Pinnock and nipped in to equalise. Emley barely had a shot in the second half and were glad to hear the full time whistle to gather themselves for extra time.

In extra time Emley showed their extra fitness on what was a glue pot of a field with only the faintest of markings. However the score remained the same and penalties were to be the only thing which was to separate the two sides.

Penalties from Washington, Clarke & Murphy sealed the win against two from Hartshead 

Team: Stephenson, Quinn, Wallace, Robinson, Pinnock, Hitchen (Dennis 118), Joice (Clarke), Washington, Cook, Flynn (Murphy (70) Subs not used: Mwale, Hirst

AFC EMLEY v BARWICK  Drew 2 - 2  

AFC Emley passed up the chance to go back to the top of the West Yorkshire Division One table when having scored in the 90th minute to go 2-1 up their opponents were gifted an equaliser straight from the restart.

The home side started brightly enough and put their opponents under pressure from the start. Their persistence paid off when from a Phil Smith corner in the 11th minute Max Joice slotted home. Chances came and went and inevitably from Barwick's only real attack of the half on 37 minutes a shot was turned into his own net by Richard Hirst.

The second half was a succession of missed chances and it seemed a draw was to be the only result. However in the 90th minute from another Smith corner Matt Murphy shot home through a crowd of players.

From the resulting restart the ball was played through the home defence and inexplicably Craig Hitchen attempting a back pass put it straight into the path of Black who beat keeper Wilson low to his left. 

Team: Wilson, Dennis, Wallace (Flynn 67), Robinson, Hirst, Hitchen, Washington, Tomlinson (Murphy 84), Joice, Bramald (Cook), Smith. Sub not used: Pinnock

WOODHOUSE HILL WMC v AFC EMLEY  Won 7 - 1

 AFC Emley returned to winning ways and also back into second place in the Division One table with this comprehensive defeat of Woodhouse Hill WMC.

The result was never in doubt following three goals in the first 14 minutes from Bramald 2 and Wallace. Bramald collecting his first in the 1st minute from a poor back pass and his second on 13 minutes from a cross by Smith. Sandwiched in between was a superb shot from Wallace in the 3rd minute. Hat-trick hero Max Joice scored his first goal on 30 minutes and his second and AFC's fifth just before half-time.

The home side rallied for short periods in the second period but following substitutions with Matt Murphy replacing the injured Washington and Kaniki and new signing Paul Robinson replacing Bramald and Dennis normal service was resumed. Firstly Joice completed his hat trick in the 80th minute and them Murphy scored his debut goal in the 82nd minute. There then followed a farcical couple of minutes with the referee taking centre stage. Murphy was brought down in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. With Smith and Kaniki sparing as to who would take the penalty the referee inexplicably changed his mind and moved the kick outside the area. Then in the next minute he awarded a spot kick at the AFC end when a ball hit Wallace. This time he didn't change his mind and Tolson stepped up to place his kick into the net.

Team: Stephenson, Dennis (Robinson 69), Wallace, Quinn, Pinnock, Hitchen, Smith, Washington (Murphy 53), Joice, Bramald 2 (Kaniki 69), Tomlinson. Sub not used: Hirst.

AFC EMLEY v STREET WORK SOCCER     Draw 0 - 0

Emley entertained their promotion rivals Street Works Soccer in front of another three figure crowd.The game was hard fought and chances were hard to come by.

 In the first half Emley had two good chances on goal but were thwarted by excellent keeping from the away keeper. Street Works also had chances but never troubled the Emley goal.

The second half continued in the same vain with half chances at both ends. Stephenson in the Emley goal did produce an excellent save from a rifled shot after a corner. Challenges were going in hard from the Street Works players and after one such tackle Smith, the Emley captain, was sent off for dissent towards the referee. 

Ironically AFC dominated the match from then on, but did everything except score a goal. Max Joice came closest when presented with a relatively open goal. His resulting shot was collected by the car park attendant!

Overall the point was better for Emley who now have two games in hand on Street Works, whilst only being one point behind.

HARTSHEAD SENIORS v  AFC EMLEY  Lost 2 - 3

 AFC Emley suffered another defeat to all but end their title dreams when they lost 
2 - 3 to Hartshead who scored two late goals to avenge the early season defeat at Emley.  

Things could so easily have been different if the home keeper hadn't brilliantly saved from a Cook header after only 34 seconds. However that spurred on the home side and they went ahead after 5 minutes with a quick break down the left side a cross from Howson was met by Gill who easily beat Wright in the AFC goal. 

To their credit AFC kept the pressure on the home side with Wallace hitting the bar on 19 minutes and shots from Cook and Flynn just missing the target. Wright too had to be on his toes on 31 minutes when Hartshead had a one on one with him but he dived to his right to parry the shot.

At the break AFC had to make a forced substitution when Hirst had to be replaced by Pinnock. A two minute spell from 61 minutes saw AFC turn the match on its head. Cook first drew the sides level with a shot after being put through by Hitchen then on 63 minutes he rose at the far post to head home Flynn's cross. However, this was not to be the end of the scoring. Hartshead themselves scored two goals in two minutes late in the game to finish winners. First Green, on 88 minutes, headed the home side level following a cross from the left. Then in the last minute Dillon scored with a well placed header following a corner from the right.

Ugly scenes followed the first of these two goals which ended with Ryan Dennis being dismissed from the field for an alleged spitting incident.

Team: Wright, Dennis, Wallace, Quinn, Hirst (Pinnock 45), Hitchen (Tomlinson 76), Smith, Washington, Cook (2), Flynn, Joice. Subs. not used: Kaniki, Bramald.

Hartshead are to be AFC Emleys next opponents in the Quarter final of the League Cup on 25th February again at Littletown.

AFC EMLEY v SHERBURN WHITE ROSE  Lost  0 - 3                        

AFC Emley lost this vital division one fixture in front of a seasons best attendance of 284 who had come to see the new beginning at the Welfare Ground.

However, what they got was a poor display from the home side who were made to look second best by a visiting side who had more desire to win.

All the damage was done in the first half with goals from Wainwright (13), Middleton (23) and a Jenkinson penalty (43)

In the second half AFC did at least take the game to the visitors and put Sherburn under pressure for some time. The Sherburn defence stood firm and always had an answer to what was thrown at them.

It was a pity that the big crowd were given little to cheer about but AFC must bounce back next week away against Hartshead who themselves are having a revival in the League.

Team: Stephenson, Mann (Pinnock 45), Dennis (Wallace 45), Quinn, Hirst, Hitchen, Bramald (Flynn 41), Washington, Cook, Joice, Smith. Subs not used: Kaniki, Tomlinson.

AFC EMLEY v CALTON ATHLETIC   Won 2 - 1 League Cup Round 3 

A superb all round team performance where every player played their part achieved what was AFC Emley's best result of the season, so far, with this hard earned defeat of Premier League side Carlton Athletic to progress to the Quarter Final of the West Yorkshire League Cup.

Plenty of early pressure from AFC paid off after 9 minutes when a neatly worked corner and inter passing between Phil Smith and Max Joice lead to Smith crossing and a bullet like header from the impressive Paul Quinn finding the back of the visitors net.

Smith continued to taunt the visitors but on 18 minutes and against the run of play, Carlton equalised. A long ball out of defence found Carlton's McKenzie, who raced through to place a shot passed Stephenson in the home goal.

Defences then got on top and few attacks ended with shots on target. However, AFC were still causing the visitors trouble when late on in the first half AFC got their second goal, which proved to be the winner.

Smith received the ball after a neat through pass from Cook and was about to shoot when he was unceremoniously brought down for an undisputed penalty. It was Smith himself who got up to place the resulting penalty firmly in the corner of the net with the visiting 'keeper sent the wrong way.

The second half was no less exciting than the first with the visitors making two changes at half time and piling forward to pin AFC in their own half for long periods. However, having weathered this tough period, AFC then began to take control again and finished the match much the stronger.

Team: Stephenson,Quinn, Dennis (Wallace 88), Pinnock (Mann 65), Hirst, Hitchen, Prasher, Washington, Cook, Joice, Smith. Subs not used: Bramald, Tomlinson, Flynn 

Results in the League went the way of AFC Emley when their nearest rivals and next weeks opponents  Sherburn White Rose (KO 2-15pm) lost 1 - 0 to Street Work Soccer. This makes the game next week a vital one with AFC needing to win to go clear at the top of the League

AFC EMLEY v KELLINGLEY WELFARE   Won 1 - 0 

A dogged and ultimately successful performance by the home side brought another 3 points to the Welfare Ground in front of another three figure crowd.

The Kellingley Welfare were obviously lifted by this match and put up a defensive wall which Emley found difficult to break down.

However, had early chances been taken, the score line could and should have been very different. Both strikers missed chances in front of goal and excellent shots from Smith should have brought better results. The visiting goalkeeper Hardy was also playing his part in this dour defensive encounter. He made point blank saves from Flynn and Cook which as the match went on seemed to become crucial.

Into the second period the visiting goal was becoming peppered with shots. Smith had two efforts saved. One in particular, on 51minutes,  when he lobbed the keeper from 20 yards and only fingertips stopped the ball from going into the net. On 69minutes Smith, this time, hit the bar following a quickly taken free kick. Substitute Prasher then brought another fine save by Hardy  and it seemed that it was not going to be Emley's day. That was until the 88th minute when Cook finally breached the defensive cordon. During another goalmouth melee Cook's shot found its way into the net to the relief of the home crowd.

Team: Stephenson, Dennis, Wallace, Quinn, Hirst, Hitchen, Joice (Prasher 48), Washington, Cook (Kaniki 89), Flynn, Smith, Subs not used: Tomlinson, Mann, Pinnock.

STREET WORK SOCCER v AFC EMLEY  Won 9 - 0 

AFC EMLEY produced arguably the performance of the season, so far, in this 9 - 0 demolition of third placed Street Work Soccer. With this result Emley jumped back to the top of the division and will have sent shock waves through to the other teams fighting for promotion. 

On a glue pot of a field in Chapeltown, Emley set about their previously unbeaten opponents with two goals in the first four minutes. First on three minutes Phil Smith crossed from the left, Washington let the ball run through for Cook to run in and shoot passed the home keeper. A minute later Smith repeated the same move and this time Max Joice ran in to score. On 12minutes Craig Hitchen had a shot hit the crossbar when all the pressure was coming from Emley. The third goal came from a delightful free kick taken by Smith in the 33rd minute. He lined up his shot into the far corner with the keeper stranded. Then with 5 minutes to go to half time Emley again scored two quick goals. First Cook raced on to a long clearance by Stephenson and coolly beat the advancing keeper. Then Cook completed his hat-trick when he reacted quickest to a cross by John Paul Flynn.

5 - 0 at half time did not flatter Emley and their complete dominance was carried on into the second period. Paul Quinn had to be substituted at half time following a clash of heads, his place being taken by Danny Wallace. Ryan Dennis sustained a nasty knee injury and was replaced by Chris Prasher on 55 minutes and Prasher's first contribution was to lash a shot into the net after being played through by Smith. Smith was substituted by debutant Kunle Odutola on 70 minutes and again Odutola made an almost instant impression on 75 minutes by getting on to a cross and with his first touch hit a shot passed the home keeper. 5 minutes later Odutola scored his second having been played through by Joice. Odutola scored his third in 11minutes when he fastened on to another through ball and hit a shot passed the hapless keeper.

Team: Stephenson, Mann, Dennis (Prasher 55), Pinnock, Quinn (Wallace), Hitchen, Joice, Washington, Cook, Flynn, Smith (Odutola) Sub. not used: Tomlinson

AFC EMLEY v BAILDON TRINITY ATHLETIC  Won 3 - 1 

AFC Emley ground out a hard fought victory against dogged opponents in Baildon Trinity Athletic.

Things started very well for AFC when after only 3 minutes following the award of a free kick some 25 yards from goal, Craig Hitchen's quick thinking saw the away keeper out of position and placed the ball in the opposite corner. Chances were few with both defences staying firm. The game came to life in the 35th minute when the tireless Max Joice won the ball in midfield and coolly placed his shot passed the advancing keeper.

Baildon then turned defence into attack and in the 40th minute Harris picked the ball up in his own half and ran the length of the field before being brought down in the penalty area by O'Reilly who was cautioned. Baildon's North coolly placed the resulting penalty passed keeper Stephenson.

The  second half was again dominated by both defences and AFC had to change the play by bringing on another forward, John Paul Flynn for debutant Wallace. On 75 minutes AFC increased their lead when Joice sent a corner into the danger area. His curling corner was punched against his own post by Baildon keeper Aveyard and the rebound again struck the keeper and bounced into the net. No further problems arose for the home side who ran out worthy 3 - 1 winners

Team: Stephenson, Mann, O'Reilly, Pinnock, Quinn, Hitchen, Prasher, Tomlinson, Joice (Dennis 82), Cook (Kaniki 80), Wallace (Flynn), Subs not used: Odutola, Smith

DEWSBURY MOOR WMC v AFC EMLEY   Won 10 - 0  League Cup 

AFC Emley comfortably progressed to the third round of the West Yorkshire League Cup with an emphatic 10 - 0 win at Dewsbury Moor. Dewsbury only had a bare eleven players and were still looking shell shocked following an 11 - 0 drubbing at the hand of Littletown last week.

Contender for quickest goal of the season came after 42 seconds when Chris Prasher raced through a static defence to shoot through the hands of the home keeper. Joe Cook added goals on 14 and 22 minutes. Gareth O'Reilly scored with a shot on the turn after 28 minutes and Craig Hitchen rounded off the first half with his first goal on 42 minutes.

The second half almost began in similar fashion to the first. This time it took Prasher a minute longer to make it 6 - 0 with a left foot shoot. It was to be his last action as he was substituted by Paul Quinn on 51minutes. Richard Hirst became the second substitution on 57minutes when he was replaced by Ryan Dennis who was returning from injury.

Hitchen scored his second in the 59th minute after winning the ball in midfield. Christophe Kaniki came on for Pinnock on 66minutes and he immediately made his mark by scoring twice on 70 and 81 minutes. These were only split by Cook scoring his hat-trick in the 71st minute

Team: Stephenson, Mann, O'Reilly, Pinnock (Kaniki 51 (2), Hirst (Dennis 57), Hitchen 2, Washington, Prasher 2 (Quinn 51), Cook 3, Joice, Smith

AFC EMLEY v POOL   Won 3 - 2 

AFC Emley maintained their position at the top of the West Yorkshire League Division 1 table with a hard fought victory over a tough Pool side.

Had the Emley forwards brought their scoring boots with them the score may have been different but a combination of poor finishing and a decent visiting keeper kept the score close. In fact it was Pool who went into the half time interval in front when a harshly awarded penalty was slotted home by Joyce after 35 minutes. Emley had numerous chances throughout the first period with the closest being a Phil Smith header which went agonizingly past the post.

The second half began with Emley surging forward and inevitably a goal had to come. On 52 minutes Chris Prasher broke down the right and into the box where, unselfishly, he squared the ball to Joe Cook who passed the ball into the net. This was Cook's 4th goal in three games.

Emley took the lead on 69minutes when a Pool defender climbed all over Cook and the referee awarded a penalty from which Smith coolly beat the Pool keeper. The chances for Emley continued to be missed and Pool thought they had gained a point when a long kick from Pool keeper Neale was flicked on to Joyce who scored his second, lobbing the ball over the advancing Stephenson in the home goal. 

However, Emley were to have the final say when the referee awarded another penalty in the 86th minute which was hotly disputed by the visitors. Smith coolly slotted his retaken penalty to make the score 3-2 and another three hard earned points.

AFC EMLEY v SANDY LANE   Won 8 - 3  

AFC Emley regained top spot in Division One of the West Yorkshire League with an emphatic victory at the Welfare Ground. Only easing off with six minutes to go allowed Sandy Lane 2 goals to make the score line marginally better for the visitors.

The scoring began with Phil Smith scoring with a powerful 40 yard shot beating the visiting keeper who was well off his line. Gareth O'Reilly added a second before Sandy Lane pulled a goal back when a corner was failed to be cleared.  Joe Cook made it 3 - 1 at half time.

In the second period AFC Emley played some scintillating football playing neat intricate passing movements. Phil Smith scored the next two goals to complete his hat-trick before Max Joice scored with a rasping shot. Lee Maturine replaced Cook midway through the half and just to prove his worth and AFC Emley's strength in depth he added two further goals to make the score 8-1. However Sandy Lane scored two goals of their own in the final 6 minutes more due to a generous defence and an even more generous Rrferee.

Team: Wright, Quinn (Mann 75), O'Reilly (1), Pinnock, Hirst, Hitchen, Prasher, Joice (1), Cook (1)(Maturine 70 (2), Tommlinson, Smith (3)

BARWICK v AFC EMLEY   Won 1 - 5

Following Tuesday nights friendly 4 - 2 win over Premier League outfit Ossett Common Rovers, Emley fielded two debutants from that game. Joe Cook (son of Dave Cook) and Paul Quinn (son of Gerry Quinn). Both players made successful debuts with Joe Cook scoring twice and Paul Quinn getting the Man of Match award.

In a one sided affair, Emley were 4 - 0 up at the break with goals from Cook (2), Hitchen and O'Reilly.

Hitchen scored first on 31minutes when set up by Flynn. then Cook weighed in with his 2 goals on 36 and 38 minutes, the second after good work by Joice. Finally O'Reilly scored the fourth with what was described as a 35yard shot come cross.

Changes were made during the second period with Holford replacing the injured Flynn at half time, Prasher replacing Hitchen and Mann replacing Hirst. Emley went 5 - 0 ahead when a teasing cross was turned into the home net by a Barwick defender.

Barwick scored a consolation goal 3 minutes from time

Team: Wright, Quinn, O'Reilly (1), Pinnock, Hirst (Mann 65), Hitchen (1) (Prasher 60), Joice, Tomlinson, Flynn (Holford 45), Cook (2), Smith. Subs not used Maturine, Clarke.

Some excellent football played by Emley.  
Others words not mine.
Some good performances by potential new players. Joe Cook, Dean Hellawell (returning from long term injury) Quinn at centre back, apologies don't know his christian name, along with two or three other players all impressing providing a welcome headache for Ray and Bram with team selection.
J P Flynn scored a hat trick 

If there had been a man of the match my choice would have been Max Joice who ran his socks off.
A good nights alround entertainment.

Commoner (Ossett supporter)

Good performance from both teams played in good spirit. Emley will hold their own in the Premier if and when they come up next season. Common had a lot of 1st teamers missing which gave opportunities to some 2nd teamers and young players who didn't let us down. You could do with an extra flood light down the side of the cricket pitch, I couldn't see a thing in the second half playing over there!

KELLINGLEY WELFARE V AFC EMLEY  Won 7 - 3

An entertaining game played in poor conditions, AFC Emley made the better of a small field to boost their goal difference.

Iit was the home side who went in front, against the run of play, after 15 minutes when the Emley defence failed to close down the Kellingley attack. That seemed to spur on the visitors and with 20 minutes gone Mel Holford put Emley back on level terms when he beat the keeper to a 50/50 ball to steer the ball into the net. Skipper Phil Smith put AFC Emley in front when put through one on one with the home keeper. Shortly before half-time Max Joice made it 3 - 1 when he nipped in between two defenders to tuck a sweet shot passed the home keeper.

Shortly after half-time Smith and Criag Hitchen played a rehersed free kick which rebounded off the Kellingley defence and Chris Prasher followed in to make it 4 - 1.

Kellingley were not going down without a fight and reduces the arrears on 55 minutes with a good goal when the AFC Emley defence failed to clear. Prasher made it 5 - 2 after good work down the left flank on 61 minutes and Lee Maturine, who had come on as substitute for the injured Jamie Bramald, made it 6 - 2 when again put through one on one with the home keeper.

Kellingley again came back with a well worked free kick which the AFC Emley defence had failed to set up correctly.

The scoring was completed a minute from the end when man of the match, Hitchen, got on to the score sheet with a clean strike.

Team: Wright, Joice (1), O'Reilly (Clarke 65mins), Pinnock, Hirst, Hitchen (1), Prasher (2), Tomlinson, Holford (1) (Kaniki 65Mins), Bramald (Maturine (1) 35mins), Smith (1)

MALTBY MAIN v AFC EMLEY  Lost 0 - 3 Sheffield Senior Cup 1st Round

 AFC Emley's involvement in the Sheffield Senior Cup is over at the first hurdle but the scoreline does not do justice to the performance put up against a team who are 3 Divisions above them.

For 27 minutes of the first half the visitors "bossed" the game. Playing neat football it was hard to tell who was in the higher league. Creating a number of chances only the final shot or header was lacking in finding its target. Joe Pinnock headed over after only 5 minutes, James Tomlinson headed just over following a free-kick by Phil Smith soon after. 

Inevitably after so much pressure the home side were bound to create some chances of their own and the first real opportunity came after 28 minutes when Emley's defence stood off from Maltby's Andrew Wood and his shot from 20yards crept into the net at the near post. 

This inspired Emley skipper Smith to try an immediate repost. His mazey run started in his own half and following a couple of interchange passes his final shot went agonizingly inches over the crossbar. 

The home side were then gifted 2 further goals in three minutes. In the 38th minute Chris Glarvey's speculatively hit shot from long distance hitting the post and entered the net deceiving Emley keeper Wright who thought it was going wide.

Three minutes later Wright then, unusually, spilled another distance shot from Glarvey and Wood nipped in to score his second. 

The second half was virtually played exclusively in the Home side's half. AFC Emley hit the post 3 times, the crossbar once, then had a header cleared off the line and substitute Bramald missed an open goal with the home keeper beaten. This performance showed grit and tenacity and Emley's traveling supporters, who made up at least half of the crowd of 76, were able to see exactly what progress was being made, on the field, in the first season.

"AFC Emley deserve to be playing in a higher League" was just one of the comments made by Maltby's management team and officials.

Well meant and deserved praise for the players.

AFC EMLEY v MOUNT ST MARYS   Won 4 - 1  

Another threee figure crowd at the Welfare Ground saw AFC Emley gain another 3 points in a match which for long enough looked as though they were going to struggle to get only one. 

In a game where the opposition fielded their first full strength team this season, AFC played the more direct football but flattered to deceive. On many occasions the football reached the opponents penalty area but the finishing touch seemed to desert the forwards or the final ball was not finding its intended target. On the one occasion it did do so after 16 minutes John Paul Flynn beat the advancing keeper to lob the ball over him and into the open net. Mount St Mary's were proving a difficult team to play against and had chances of their own. None more so than in the 45th minute when only a brilliant flying save by home keeper Wright kept out a header from close range. 

The second period started almost the same but the visitors added some steel to their play which seemed to unsettle AFC. On 58 minutes the visitors were level when a speculative shot caught by the wind found its way into the net. This livened the visitors and a couple of cautions were issued by referee McIntosh when the game looked likely to get out of control. 

However, in the 79th minute AFC suddenly found their range. The visitors were tiring and the defence, who had played an offside game, were caught out three times in four minutes. Firstly a superb through ball by Phil Smith found Flynn who unselfishly squared to Prasher who lashed the ball into the net from close range. A minute later it was 3 - 1 when Craig Hitchen scored via the same route. The scoring was completed on 83minutes when Flynn was again put through by Smith. This time he rounded the keeper himself to slot the ball into the net to send the crowd home happy. 

Wright, Joice, O'Reilly, Pinnock, Hirst, Hitchen, Prasher, Tomlinson (Washington 72), Holford (Appleton 45), Flynn (Bramald 87), Smith. Subs not used Clarke, Kaniki. 

AFC EMLEY v WETHEBY ATHLETIC  Won 2 - 0  League Cup

After the disappointment of last week, the team faced higher league opposition in the League Cup.
Almost from the kick off, hearts were in mouths for the crowd of 161, when one of the Wetherby strikers put his shot wide, when presented with an open goal.

Emley knuckled down and there was a keenly contested first half with the teams going into half time at 0-0.This could have been different if a penalty had been awarded when Prash was clearly crocked in the penalty area.

 In the second half Emley started to take control, this was rewarded with a fine goal from Gaz O'Reilly, his left foot strike come lob deceived the keeper who had no chance to make the save.

Emley continued to push forward although Wetherby had their chances and contested throughout. Nerves were calmed 10 minutes from time, when Craig Hitchen produced an exquisite left foot strike from thirty yards, which zipped into the back of the net. 

A much better all round performance this week from 1 to 11.
Man of the Match, Richard Hirst for his efforts in the centre of midfield.

SHERBURN WHITE ROSE v AFC EMLEY    Lost  0 - 6

Despite contesting the first 20 minutes when it looked as though the game would be close.Emley succumbed to a well schooled Sherburn side who simply,on this day, played better than the visitors in all departments. 3 goals in each half with nothing to show in reply speaks for itself.

On a small and narrow pitch Emley were not allowed to play football and although the score was a bit flattering, the Sherburn win was well deserved. There was obvious disappointment for the 50 or so traveling fans. Hopefully Emley can dust themselves down, learn from the experience, and gives us a good showing in the league cup next Saturday.

ROBIN HOOD ATHLETIC v  AFC EMLEY   Won 4 - 0

AFC Emley's 100% record was maintained with an emphatic 4 - 0 win at Robin Hood Athletic's tidy ground. 

The scoring was opened within the first few minutes when Lee Maturine fired in following a goalmouth scramble. Emley dominated the play and when Chris Prasher broke down the right and into the area he was upended and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Joe Washington sent the home keeper the wrong way to make it 2 - 0 after 17 minutes. That was to be Joe's last involvement in the match when he was substituted suffering a recurrence of a back strain.

Adam Day made it 3 - 0 just before the break when he too fired home after a shot had been blocked. 

Immediately after the break AFC made it 4 - 0 with the best goal of the night. Christophe Kaniki's sweetly struck shot left the home keeper grasping thin air as it speed into the back of the net.

Tim Stephenson in the AFC goal had a commanding game culminating in a superb fingertip save which pushed the ball onto the bar and to safety. 

This was, once again, a fine team performance with every team member contributing 

RIPON CITY MAGNETS v AFC EMLEY  Won 2 - 0

 A brace of goals, one in each half from Joe Washington gave AFC Emley maximum points from this league meeting.

 On a warm afternoon on a good field AFC started well putting together neat passing moves. The first goal came after 15mins when following a corner on the right Lee Maturine crossed and Joe Washington swiveled and shot high into the roof of the net. AFC were certainly the more powerful in attack but the home side did have their moments. Twice before the end of the half they came close but the AFC defence stood firm with Richard Hirst outstanding. 

The second half was largely similar to the first with AFC taking the game to their opponents. The second goal came from the penalty spot on 59 minutes when Chris Prasher was brought down. Washington stepped up to make it 2 - 0 putting the spot kick wide of the home keeper. 

ILKLEY v AFC EMLEY  Won 2 - 1 

Around 25 followers witnessed another sterling effort by our youngsters in a 2-1 victory at Ilkley's pleasant Denton Road ground (roped off pitch) just over the river from the Town. The pitch was reportedly better than last week.
One up at half time we let a goal in just after the break against a big livley home team that started the second half well. But the lads picked themselves up and started to move the ball around more. One attack culminated with the sheer strength and awareness of Mel Holford bagging all three points minutes after he had clearly been brought down in the box.

Ilkley had cleared off the line prior to that and their goalie, who pulled off two great saves, had also got away with catching the ball outside the area. Good performances by Joe Washington, Holford and Richard Hirst, sadly not the bemused looking referee. No watering holes close by and 2 regulars from the Welfare brought their own stand

AFC EMLEY v WOODHOUSE HILL WMC   Won 4 - 1  

A tough uncompromising match which threatened to erupt at any time was played out tonight at the Welfare Ground. The visitors seemed intent on intimidating the young Emley side but in the end succumbed to a better footballing side. 

The early exchanges were even, with both sides squandering chances but after 35 minutes the deadlock was broken by Mel Holford. Probably the goal of the game was scored soon after when Max Joice scored with a delicious low dipping shot from the edge of the area.

Soon after the break the visitors pulled a goal back to put a little tension into the home side. However Emley regained their two goal advantage with a superb run down the right flank by Chris Prasher saw him cut inside and coolly beat the keeper. This, however, seemed to ignite the rather seamier side of the visitors. Joice was signaled out for some crude tackling which finally resulted in him being stretchered off with a serious leg injury, for which the Referee only brandished a yellow card.

The final goal was scored by Maturine following further good work by Prasher.

BAILDON TRINITY ATHLETIC v AFC EMLEY  Won 2 - 1

A brace of goals, one in each half, by Mel Holford gave AFC Emley a very hard worked win at The Dell.

Playing on a bone hard field where the ball spent most of its time in the air, this victory, although not pretty was welcome because other sides will drop points against very game opponents. In fact the home side had their fair share of opportunities in the first half after Holford had put Emley in front after 12 minutes following good work on the left by skipper Phil Smith. Smith's accurate cross was met by Holford whose first time effort beat the home keeper. Emley keeper Stephenson had to be alert on 30 minutes when  faced one on one, but he dived bravely at the feet of the on rushing home attacker pushing the ball to safety.

AFC Emley went further ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Holford grabbed his second after good work by Flynn. However, almost immediately the lead was cut by half when the home side were given a somewhat dubious penalty from which Steele scored from the spot. In fact AFC should themselves have had a penalty when a defender pushed the ball away with his hand but the referee was in no position to award the kick.

There were few further problems to face AFC who should gain heart from this hard fought but well deserved win.

AFC EMLEY v HARTSHEAD SENIOR   Won 7 - 1

That's the amazing score coming from the Welfare Ground.

AFC Emley Kicked off  the season in scintilating style with an emphatic 7 - 1 scoreline against Hartshead in front of a brilliant supporting crowd of 152 spectators many of whom were revisiting The Welfare Ground for the first time for some years AFC Emley were eager not to disappoint 

The scoring was started by Skipper Phil Smith after only 6 minutes. It took a further 18 minutes for John Paul Flynn to make it 2 - 0 in the 24th minute but only a further one minute for Mel Holford to make it 3 - 0. James Mwale scored from an acute angle in the 30th minute to make the score 4 - 0 at half time. 

Early in the second half Cieron Green pulled a goal back for Hartshead but that just served to spur on the home side. A needless sending off for Hartshead added further woe and goals from Adam Day (68) Chris Prasher (76) and Joe Pinnock (80) rounded off a very satisfactory evening for the League debutants.