Report

Presentation Night Winners 

This years AFC Emley awards night held on Friday at the Clubhouse saw Marc Townsend win the prestigous Supporters Player of the Year and the highly respected Players Player of the Year awards. Marc who came to the club along with Steve Kenworthy and Andy Battye was a clear winner in both categories. 

HTAFC STAR TO OPEN NEW SOCIAL CLUB ON SATURDAY (10TH MAY) 

Matthew Glennon, Huddersfield Town Goalkeeper, will open AFC Emley's new clubhouse this Saturday at 3:00pm.

Apr 29 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ASHLEY FLYNN fired a brace as Kirkburton lifted the Sheffield Junior Cup with a superb 3-1 victory against Telecom Sports.

It was a fantastic result for Dean Calcutt’s side who are also pushing for promotion to the top tier of the West Riding County Amateur League and could make it a hat trick of awards if they win the league cup. The final was eventually staged at Penistone Church’s ground after the Sheffield FA’s showpiece final, originally scheduled to take place at Worsborough Bridge, was called off because the pitch was deemed unsuitable and dangerous.

Burton were without both recognised goalkeepers so utility player Jordan Tindle had to play in goal – and did an a excellent job. Ryan Jagger forced the Telecom defence into an early panic when they had to clear his attempt off the line from a corner.

But after half an hour Telecom, who are top of the Premiership in the Sheffield Wragg League, took the lead against the run of play when a midfielder caught Tindle off his line and scored with a lob. But Burton hit back.

Flynn had a great chance to equalise on 37 minutes. Lee Bradley cut out a back-pass from a Telecom defender and laid the ball off for Flynn, but his shot was cleared off the line.But Burton didn’t have long to wait as Ben Hughill rose head and shoulders above the defence to score his first goal of the season from an Adam Wilson corner.

And just before the break Burton took the lead when Flynn latched on to a defensive blunder to strike a great volley.

And on 61 minutes Flynn sealed the cup win when Steve Chandler picked up the ball in his own half and sent a superb ball down the left for Flynn who cut inside a defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

AFC Emley completed a disappointing Northern Counties East League campaign when a penalty by Allan Laud gave them a 1-1 draw at Gedling Town to finish 11th in the 17-team First Division.

Ashley Berry to Join Ian Banks.

AFC Emley are pleased to announce that Ashley Berry is to join Ian Banks's management staff. Ashley who has been at Bridlington Town, Glasshoughton and more recently, Woodley Sports will link up with Ian Banks when Ian returns from a short break, next week.

Apr 22 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

And the former Town star has big plans for the Northern Counties East League club. Officials at the Welfare Ground moved quickly to land the 47-year-old after Nicky Bramald stepped down. It means Banks, a Town player from 1986-88, will have managed both the original Emley (now Wakefield and playing in the UniBond League) and the current village club, who are in the NCE First Division.

First priority for Banks, who also played for Barnsley, Leicester, Bradford, West Brom, Rotherham and Darlington, will be winning promotion to the NCE Premier Division. He has experience of non-league football, having played for the original Emley under his old Barnsley teammate Ronnie Glavin. Banks, who was a key man in the team Glavin guided to the third round of the FA Cup in 1997-98, succeeded the Scotsman as manager in 2003. He has also coached at Bradford and Chesterfield and currently works with Rotherham’s Under 16 side.

Banks, who is set to bring in his own assistant, said: “I think there is a big opportunity to take this club forward. “Since the new club was formed three years ago they have forged their own identity and the potential to progress is definitely there. “I watched the team lose 5-1 at Bottesford on Saturday and to be honest, Emley were the better side in the first half.

“Bottesford are third in the division and I will expect us to be up there this time next year. “I’ll be looking to bring in a few new players but there is already some potential. “With the great organisation off the field plus some success on it, I can see a bright future ahead.”

Jeremy Illingworth was the scorer for 11th-placed Emley away to Bottesford.

Emley finish their fixtures at Gedling Town on Saturday.

Wakefield, who have Glavin back at the helm, are eighth in the UniBond First Division North after Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Harrogate Railway. The former Welfare Ground club, who left Emley to share Belle Vue with rugby league outfit Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in 2000, are now based at College Grove, the former ground of the now defunct Wakefield rugby union club.

Floodlights Update. 

Finally there is some light (Play on Words) at the end of the tunnel. Today we have received confirmation that the go ahead have been given to repair the floodlights following the fire in early March.  

Work will, hopefully, begin on the 30th April and will take a few days to complete. The NCE League and FA have been informed so that entries for next seasons competitions can be completed.

 Nicky Bramald Stands Down

 It has been announced that Nicky Bramald has decided to stand down as Caretaker Manager at the end of the season. Nicky who took over from Ray Dennis when Ray stood down a couple of weeks ago has not achieved the results he was expecting and therefore has stood down.

Like Ray, Nicky too, will remain with the club on its committee.

Apr 8 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Lee Hill fired Emley in front on 11 minutes and they ought to have been further ahead by half time.

Barton built pressure in the second half, but it wasn’t until the 75th minute that McKay equalised and then, two minutes from time, Burdich struck the winner.

Apr 1 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC SNAP UP JEZ

AFC Emley have signed former Town midfielder Jez Illingworth. The 30-year-old is moving back to this area from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and has agreed to join the Welfare Ground club. It’s a big boost for their Northern Counties East League Division I run-in, the final four matches of which are all away from home.

Illingworth came through the Town Academy and made three senior appearances in the 1996-97 season. AFC are hoping Illingworth’s registration will be through in time for Saturday’s trip to Barton Town but, if not, he will make his debut against Hall Road Rangers the following week.

The news comes after Nicky Bramald and Daryl Brook’s side drew their final home game of the campaign 1-1 against Pontefract Collieries in terrible conditions. Some regulars said they couldn’t remember worse rain in a driving wind for the last 20 years than pelted the ground at certain stages, and AFC played into the teeth of it during the first half. Despite that, they enjoyed the bulk of possession, although Pontefract looked the more dangerous on the counter attack with the wind at their backs.

When AFC had that advantage in the second period, it took them only five minutes to break the deadlock, Lee Hill netting with a firm header after neat build-up play. Pontefract were level within two minutes, however, when full-back Steve Slater hit a wonder shot from 25 yards which gave keeper Ben Blunt no chance.

Mar 26 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC EMLEY will be aiming for an improvement in their final home game of the Northern Counties East League campaign against Pontefract Collieries on Saturday.

That’s after they collected just one First Division point from the six on offer over Easter.

After a 3-3 draw at Teversal on Saturday, they lost 4-1 at home to Bottesford Town on Monday.

Marc Scott fired Teversal ahead on two minutes but Emley responded with a ninth-minute equaliser by Kyle Hawthorn. The same player put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after 22 minutes. Marc Townsend made it 3-1 five minutes later. But after pulling one back five minutes before the break, Jamie Hudson hit a 70th-minute leveller for the Sutton-in-Ashfield side.

Scunthorpe team Bottesford proved far too strong for Nicky Bramald and Daryl Brook’s side as they maintained their promotion push. Hawthorn scored Emley’s goal, again from the penalty spot. Emley are 11th in the 17-team table, with Saturday’s foes Pontefract rock-bottom.

Mar 20 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC Emley will be in action at home on Easter Monday.

Northern Counties East League Division I clash with Bottesford Town for the Welfare Ground (3.00).

THERE was a night of drama at Emley when their match against Bottesford was abandoned after 23 minutes when one of the floodlight pylons set on fire!
Club secretary Richard Poulain said: “The wind and rain got into one of the pylons, causing a short circuit which resulted in all the lights going off.

“When we went to look at the problem pylon, we discovered the short had caused a fire inside, so we had no option but to abandon the match and call the fire brigade.”
The damage was being assessed today.

AFC Emley are next in action on Saturday when they entertain Tadcaster Albion in a Northern Counties East League fixture (3.00).

The damage having been looked at, in the cold light of day, was far greater than first thought. The whole of the interior of the pylon has been destroyed. Abacas Lighting, who erected the pylon, have been to assess the damage and a report is being produced. However, it is feared that, the work cannot be completed before the end of the current campaign and is likely to be very expensive.

FROM THE OFFICE 

Many of our supporters will now be aware that following last weeks home defeat to Parkgate in the Sheffield Cup, Ray Dennis, one of our joint managers, tendered his resignation.  

At a hastily arranged Management Committee Meeting on Thursday, with Ray in attendance, it was decided to accept his resignation and to ask Nicky Bramald and Daryl Brook to take over the Managers position at least until the end of the season. This will give everyone time to evaluate the situation and make considered judgements. 

Ray states that he made this decision because he felt he had gone as far as he could with the team and that the team seamed unable to play the way he wanted. He therefore felt that someone else should take the helm and see if the club could make the progress that he some much wanted.  

We are very pleased to announce that Ray will not be leaving the club. He will stay on the Management Committee of the Club as a working member. This club has been a part of Ray’s life for so many years we were extremely pleased that Ray is to stay on in a committee roll. 

From the Management’s perspective we know and understand that the managers have had a very difficult roll especially with very little money. Finances at clubs like ours are at a premium, which is why we need to get the clubhouse completed and opened so that we may be able to finance the football team instead of watching monies be spent elsewhere. We anticipate that the clubhouse should be completed by the end of March and then we hope to take the development into Stage Two which will be to extend the dressing room area to include a Physio Room, Lady Officials changing room and extend the Away Dressing Room. 

Finally we ask for everyone’s support both to the players on the field and the Committee off it. We ask for your patience whilst we get things right both on and off the field 

If anyone can help the committee, Please contact me.

Mar 7 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

RAY DENNIS, manager of AFC Emley, has resigned.

The long-serving club stalwart took over at the helm along with Nicky Bramald when the club was formed three years ago, and guided them through the Yorkshire League to a stable 12th place in the Northern Counties East League Division I.

But, after Tuesday night’s 6-0 defeat by Parkgate in the quarter-final of the Sheffield Senior Cup, Dennis decided to go. He believes he has taken the team as far as he can and has been disappointed with the response he has been getting from the players.

Club secretary Richard Poulain said: “We reluctantly accepted Ray’s resignation this week but are pleased that he wants to keep involved with the club and have welcomed him on to the committee.” Nicky Bramald will be joined by Daryl Brook as joint caretaker managers until the end of the season.

 AFC Emley hit for six as last four prove a step too far

Mar 5 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT WAS a night that AFC Emley will want to forget!

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against Parkgate in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Cup to end their hopes of progression to the semi-finals. And, to add to their woes in a miserable evening for the club at the Welfare Ground, Max Joice was sent off for punching an opposing team player in the face.

The win ensured Parkgate joined Dinnington Town, Sheffield FC and Worksop Town in sealing a place in the last four of the competition. But, worryingly for Emley, the result was a third defeat in their last four games in all competitions.

Bramald, reflecting on the game, said he was not happy with the defeat and particularly the referee’s decision to show Joice a red card. He said: “Apparently he (Joice) threw four punches, yet nobody else in the ground seemed to know about them apart from him. “It spoilt the game because up until then I thought we were on top.”

Some 21 places separate the two sides in the Northern Counties East league structure. But it was Division I side Emley who made the better start in the cup tie. Kyle Hawthorne went close to scoring on 15 minutes and Mark Townsend found the net soon after only for it to be disallowed for offside.

Against the run of play, however, Parkgate, 11th in the Northern Counties Premier, took the lead nine minutes later through Russell Hobson. Emley’s goalkeeper Ray Francis lost his footing when trying to gather a pass-back, the ball looped over his head and Hobson ran around him to apply the finish. Cain Cheetham doubled the visitors’ lead soon after and tempers began to boil over.

Parkgate defender Richard Patterson and Emley’s Joice squared up like heavyweight boxers after challenging one another for the ball. Joice, despite teammates protesting on his behalf to the referee, was shown red.

Ryan Johnson added a third for Parkgate on 56 minutes before Andrew Battersby gave the Rotherham-based side a four-goal advantage with a delightfully struck free-kick. Hobson scored his second on 78 minutes before Cheetham dribbled the ball around Ray Francis in a flamboyant manner to seal a convincing 6-0 win.

Mar 4 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Late goal sinks Emley

A GOAL conceded in the 89th minute subjected AFC Emley to a 10th defeat of the season in the Northern Counties East League Division I. Kevin Ryan’s strike from within the six-yard box helped Leeds Met Carnegie clinch a 1-0 win at the Welfare Ground. The result enabled Leeds to record a double against Emley in the league this season following a 2-0 win in October.

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side dropped down to 12th in the 17-team table after the defeat.

Dennis, after the game, said he was hugely disappointed with the result because his side did put in a lot of effort. “We didn’t create many chances in the first half but in the second I thought we were as good, if not better, than them,” he explained. “It’s not the first time we have lost a game in the last minute.” Dennis, frustrated with the manner of how the decisive goal was conceded, added: “We sometimes struggle with the basics of the game. “We failed to pick men up and all our hard work has gone out of the window.”

Emley created few clear-cut scoring opportunities in a game where the pace was controlled mainly by the windy conditions rather than by the players’ feet. Kyle Hawthorne was unlucky not to score for Emley in the first-half. A right-foot shot from the edge of the area just missed the target with Leeds Met sweating. And, on 70 minutes, Mark Townsend directed a powerful strike at goal which was heading for the net – only for a deflection to send the ball over the bar.

Townsend went close again with a header nine minutes later only for the visitors’ goalkeeper to make an impressive save. Emley were then punished for not capitalising on their chances as Ryan pounced onto a loose ball inside the six-yard box to seal the Leeds Met win. Despite his side not creating many chances, the result was an injustice to the performance of Steve Kenworthy, who teased the visitors’ defence throughout the game. Kenworthy continued to run out wide and deliver excellent cross-field passes that, unfortunately, no Emley attacker could add a finish to.

Leeds Met Carnegie have now won four consecutive games in the Northern Counties East League Division I.

Joint coach Dennis said a draw would have been a fair result and there was nothing significant to separate the abilities of the teams in the game. He added: “We’re now looking forward to next season. I think we are a good side but we’re so naïve when it comes to defending set pieces in particular.”

AFC Emley host Parkgate tonight (7.45) in the quarter-finals of the Sheffield Senior Cup.

Feb 26 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Emley Laud it up!

AFC EMLEY moved up to 11th in the Northern Counties East League after sealing a 3-1 victory against struggling Rossington Main. It was Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side’s ninth win from 23 games and the result moved them up to 11th in the 17-team Division I. Rossington, meanwhile, have been plunged into a relegation dog-fight after slipping to 16th, one place above basement outfit Pontefract Collieries.

Host club Rossington rocked Emley, however, when they took a third minute lead when Lee Holmes took advantage of indecisive Emley defending. Allan Laud fired in an important equaliser for Emley on 22 minutes but the first half was generally scrappy with neither team being able to string many passes together.

But after the break Emley played with far more purpose and showed signs of their undoubted ability. Steve Kenworthy fired Emley ahead on 70 minutes and Allan Laud made it 3- 1 from the penalty spot a minute from time after Liam Berry had been brought down.

Feb 19 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Emley slip down table

AFC EMLEY crashed to a worrying sixth home defeat of the season in the Northern Counties East League Division I. Gedling Town, who despite having a man sent off early in the second half, went on to score a further two goals and claim a convincing 4-1 win.

Emley have now conceded 12 goals in five games at home this year and only managed to win once – a 4-0 victory against Hall Road Rangers in January. The latest defeat at the Welfare Ground resulted in Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side dropping down to 12th in the 17-team section.

Bramald said he was very disappointed with his team’s performance against Gedling. “In a nutshell, it just wasn’t good enough,” he said. “We had a man advantage but at times it looked like they had a man extra instead of us. “Defensively we gave away goals that we shouldn’t, especially at home.”

In their defeat against second-placed Gedling, Emley started the brightest and were rewarded after just four minutes when Max Joice put the home team into the lead. But the visitors equalised soon afterwards when a cross from the wing found Barry Payne who struck a right foot shot into the corner of Jamie Green’s net. Andrew Jones gave Gedling a 2-1 lead going into half-time with a delightful strike. His right foot shot 30 yards out from goal gained all the height and power necessary to curl into the top corner of Emley’s net leaving Green with no chance.

With 30 minutes of the Division I tie remaining, Gedling midfielder Lee Mellon was shown red for a dangerous tackle. But, instead of this working as a disadvantage, the visitors used the referee’s decision as an inspiration to push on and maintain their lead. Not only did 10-man Gedling preserve their advantage – they extended it when Barry Payne grabbed two more goals. On 70 minutes a cross-field pass from Will Heath found Payne in the six-yard box who placed the ball beyond Green. And on 90 minutes he sealed his hat-trick and a 4-1 win for his side.

Bramald, frustrated with the result, said he would like to bring in new players to try and stop his team’s inconsistency troubles. He said: “We’re always on the lookout for new lads. “It’s ok when you are winning all the time but when you are inconsistent as we are, we may need new players to help solve this problem. “We need to defend as a team not just as a back four and I think we lack a bit of experience and some good talkers in the side. “Hopefully we can bounce back next week. I’m not overly worried about things yet. “We just want to finish higher than we did last year (13th in Division I) and then move on from there.”

Feb 15 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC EMLEY officials hope any Town fans not going to Chelsea will take in their clash with Gedling Town at the Welfare Ground tomorrow (3.00).

The Northern Counties East League First Division club are aiming to build on Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Worsbrough Bridge. Goals by Gavin Birmingham (18 minutes) and Allan Laud (65) came either side of Worsbrough’s strike and put the Huddersfield team 11th in the table.

04/02/2008

PLEA FOR HELP

CAN YOU HELP?

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP?

Everyone can see the great strides AFC EMLEY are making in building the new clubhouse, but we cannot do it by ourselves.

Have you some spare time?

Do you have a skill?

If not can you labour on?

We need your help to complete the task.

Contact Graham Roys on 07974 129593/01484 860073

After the 3-1 defeat to Worsbrough Bridge at the Welfare Ground six days ago, Ray Dennis’s side returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Yorkshire Amateur. But, with only two victories so far this year, Emley’s inconsistent form has proved to be a stumbling block in them moving into the top half of the league.

In their win at Yorkshire Amateur, Lee Hill scored his fifth goal of the season on seven minutes to put the visitors into the lead. Gavin Birmingham increased Emley’s advantage early in the second half followed by two further efforts being ruled out for off-side.Centre-back Graham grabbed a late goal for Yorkshire Amateur which turned out to be little more than a consolation.

Emley travel to face Worsbrough tonight (7.45) and then entertain Gedling Town at the Welfare Ground on Saturday (3.00).

AFC Emley: Green, Leech, Higginbottom, Battye, Hazelden (Sean), Hill, Joice, Townend, Laud, Birmingham. Subs: Buckwell, Hawthorne, Mann.

Jan 29 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DOUBLE TROUBLE!

A FLURRY of red cards were shown at the weekend as two matches descended into chaos.

Scarborough Athletic had two men sent off late in their Northern Counties East League First Division match against AFC Emley.

Jamie Waltham (foul and abusive language) and Graham Botham, who brought Stephen Kenworthy down as the striker surged through on goal, both saw red in the final minute of a 2-2 draw.

Then, seconds before the end, Emley goalkeeper Jamie Green was dismissed when he allegedly dropped his shorts at home supporters and a fracas erupted as he went off involving Green and the two red-carded Scarborough players, before many more piled in and the police were called.

Officials of the East Coast club then denied Emley players and supporters access into the clubhouse, fearing more trouble might occur, which prompted chairman Graham Roys to buy tea for the team at a nearby hotel.

Jan 22 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Burton buoyant, Emley are sunk

EXCELLENT work by groundstaff ensured that AFC Emley and Kirkburton played on Saturday – but with contrasting fortunes.

Emley’s topsy-turvy season continued when they were beaten 4-0 by Rainworth MW in Division I of the Northern Counties East League.

But Kirkburton ran out 4-2 winners against Wakefield City to increase their lead at the top of Division I of the West Riding County Amateur League.

The previous week Emley produced a superb performance to stun high-flying Hall Road Rangers 4-0 at the Welfare Ground, but on Saturday they were forced to endure a reversal of the scoreline. Goals by Robbie Clarke, Craig Wilson, Danny Naylor and Andy Jones saw Rainworth extend their winning run to eight as they moved up to sixth while Emley remain 12th.

Emley’s hopes of recording back-to-back wins was hindered when defender Danny Cliffe was sent off on 28 minutes for foul and abusive language directed at referee Russell Tarbatt, of Sheffield. Rainworth led at the break by a single Clarke goal after Lee Wilkinson’s 24th minute penalty had come back off a post.

But after the break, Rainworth made their extra man count, playing the ball around intelligently to win.

Emley travel to Scarborough on Sunday and the match takes place at Bridlington Town’s Queensgate Stadium (1.00).

AFC Emley: Green, Neesam, Cliffe, Hazleden (N), Hazleden (S), Handley (Battye 53), Leech (Joyce 67), Townsend, Laud (Birmingham 67), Hill, Kenworthy.

Attendance: 176.

Jan 15 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hill inspires Emley

A LEE HILL brace was the highlight as AFC Emley toppled high-flying Hall Road Rangers in a thoroughly entertaining 4-0 victory.

And Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side, who remain 12th in the Northern Counties East League Division I, will look to build on that success when they travel to Worsborough Bridge Athletic tonight (7.45).

Hall Road, slipped to fifth after the Dene Park side were comprehensively beaten. Allan Laud fired Emley in front on 30 minutes before Stephen Kenworthy doubled the advantage after the break. Lee Hill then pounced for a double to warm the hearts of the hardy crowd of 89 as temperatures dipped.

Kenworthy, slotting into the hole behind strikers Laud and Hill, was inspirational and a constant frustration to a Hall Road side who came close to losing their discipline completely when a fracas ensued in the Emley goalmouth after referee Anthony Murphy had blown for half time, with Emley goalkeeper Jamie Green and Hall Road’s Mike Gibson both being cautioned.

Industrious Matt Neesam forced a corner on the half hour and, when a cheeky back-heel by Emley captain and centre-back Sean Hazelden split the defence, Laud was quick to seize on the chance and drive the ball home. Hall Road skipper Paul Farley stole in and poked the ball into the net on 42 minutes but was well offside.

Kenworthy doubled Emley’s lead on 49 minutes when the ball came out to him on the edge the box and his cleanly hit low shot gave keeper Chris Hill no chance. Emley were on a roll, passing the ball around tidily on the superb-looking pitch, and a long ball released Hill down the left on 56 minutes. He opted to go it alone, taking the ball into the box and winning a corner.

Laud launched an accurate flag kick and Hill made it 3-0 with a powerful header on 57 minutes. But the best finish amid a great afternoon’s entertainment, was saved for the final goal. Kenworthy, again, was the provider for Hill, who took the ball in his stride and unleashed a cracking drive to leave the keeper no chance.

Emley’s Anthony Leech was inches off adding a fifth before Green denied Hall Road striker Paul Palmer a consolation with a superb save as Emley claimed a sixth clean sheet of the campaign.

After tonight’s trip to Worsborough Bridge, Emley host Rainworth Miners Welfare at the Welfare Ground on Saturday (3.00).

Then they travel to Scarborough, who lost their appeal against the six-point deduction by the NCEL for playing ineligible players in August and September. That match is on Sunday, January 27, (1.00).

The match takes place at Bridlington Town’s Queensgate Stadium.

AFC Emley: Green, Neesam, Cliffe (Hainsworth, 80mins), Hazelden (N), Handley, Hazelden (S), Leech, Townsend, Laud, Hill, Kenworthy (Joice, 76mins). Sub not used: Battye.

Jan 8 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC EMLEY’s inconsistent form in the Northern Counties East League Division I continued with a 1-0 defeat against Dinnington Town at the Welfare Ground. In a game where the hosts created few goalscoring opportunities, the result, and team performance, were a contrast to the 5-2 win over Borrowash in their last league outing.

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side have now lost six of their 14 league games and remain 12th in the league table – six points away from the bottom three. Dennis, after the defeat to Barton Town last month, said his side would soon be a force in the league and start a run of picking points up.

But worryingly, Emley have yet to win two consecutive league games all season. After the defeat to Dinnington, Dennis said: “I’m disappointed with this result.

“We performed like a side that haven’t played for a few weeks and that is what has probably cost us.” He added: “We didn’t play at all in the first half and there wasn’t much in it in the second.”

Dinnington striker Ant Lynam posed a threat to Emley throughout most of the game, teasing defenders with his dribbling and powerful shots. And, after Michael Blythen was brought down for the visitors just outside the penalty box, ominously for the home side, Lynam stepped up to take the resulting free-kick. The tall forward struck through the Emley wall and into the top corner of Jamie Green’s goal to put the visitors into the lead.

Green was again called into action on 40 minutes when, despite being the last man, was lucky not be sent off after a bad challenge outside the box on Blythen.

Steve Kenworthy almost equalised for Emley 10 minutes into the second half only for his shot to be cleared off the line by a Dinnington defender. Kenworthy again went close shortly afterwards. The striker, who has scored on seven occasions for the club this season, ran around the goalkeeper but his strike hit a post.

Dennis said his team need to take their chances better if they are to progress up the league. “If we had capitalised on our opportunities, it could have been one apiece which could have made for a different game,” he explained. “Dinnington probably shaded it overall. They are a physical side with one or two players who have that little bit extra.” Dennis, in contrast to his assessment of some Dinnington players, said: “We just don’t have anybody who seems to have that bit of magic.”

A minute’s applause was held before kick-off in memory of AFC Emley’s former president Adrian Wright, who died 12 months ago.

AFC Emley: Green, Handley, Cliffe, Hazelden (Nathan), Hazelden (Sean), Townsend, Leach, Hill, Laud, Birmingham, Kenworthy. Subs: Mugadza, Mann, Prasher.

Referee: Mr D Midgley (Huddersfield).

Dec 24 2007 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC EMLEY produced a Christmas cracker for 110 fans to beat Borrowash Victoria 5-2 (writes Graham Britton).

But, despite the result, Emley remain far behind the leading teams in the Northern Counties East League Division I, as they still sit in 12th position. That’s because, as joint manager Ray Dennis admitted, his team continue to concede goals that are easy to prevent.

“This result was pleasing but we keep conceding bad goals and we are going to have to work on that,” he said. Emley’s Allan Laud scored the game’s opening goal on 34 minutes by taking advantage of bad defending.

Barrowash then equalised on 40 minutes with a delightful goal – a right-foot 35-yard strike by defender David Leigh. Thankfully, Gavin Birmingham managed to slide in near a post after a crossfield pass a minute before the break and restore the Emley lead.

It wasn’t until 74 minutes that the scores were levelled again, Jamie Pawley firing home for Barrowash after dribbling around two defenders. Emley, however, who played good football in the second half, provided a sting in the tail. Sub Nick Manousios, Birmingham with his second and Steve Kenworthy completed the scoring.

Dennis felt his side were not put under a great deal of pressure but he’s concerned about a goals-against average of almost two per game.

“I thought we dominated apart from their two goals,” he said. “Their first was a wonder strike but how we conceded the second disappointed me. “It’s a strange league this season. I still don’t think we are out of contention. “It’s going to be hard work but there are a lot of points to be played for.”

AFC Emley’s next fixture is at home to Dinnington on Saturday week, January 5 (3.00).

AFC Emley – Green, Neesam, Cliffe, Hazelden (Nathan), Hazelden (Sean), Handley, Hill, Townsend, Laud, Birmingham, Kenworthy. Subs: Hainsworth, Manousios, Prasher.

Physio to leave his post. 

It is with regret that AFC Emley's, Physio Danny Murphy, has decided to step down from his roll as club physio.

Danny has quoted work commitment as his reason for standing down.

Whilst we regret his decision we understand his position and would like to publically thank him for all his service. Danny, however, will not be disappearing. He will still be coming to support the team as and when his work commitments allow.

Sheffield Senior Cup Draw 

The draw for the Quarter Final of the Sheffield Senior Cup has been made and AFC Emley have been drawn at home to Parkgate. The Full draw is:

AFC Emley v Parkgate

Dinnington Town v Hallam

Sheffield v Brodsworth Welfare

Worksop Town v Maltby Main

Ties are to be played on or by Sat. 8th March.

Dec 4 2007 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A LATE GOAL subjected AFC Emley to a fifth defeat in the Northern Counties East League Division I. With five minutes left to play Phil Doyle, of Barton Town Old Boys, converted a header to seal a 1-0 win at the Welfare Ground.

The goal was unexpected in a game controlled by Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side.But in what has almost become a football cliché: it is a results business.

And, worryingly, Emley have lost almost half of the league fixtures played to date.Joint coach Dennis said: “That was probably the best we’ve played all season apart from the final third.”

He added: “The result is certainly a setback, they were never in it, and it was a bad goal to give away, but that’s football. “We are building the team – building for the future and if it doesn’t happen this season then hopefully it will happen next. We are progressing.”

In their defeat to Barton, Emley welcomed back striker Steve Kenworthy after picking up an injury against Teversal two weeks ago. Kenworthy, who scored six goals in his first three games for the side, teamed up with new signing Brighton Mugadza (formerly of West Riding County Amateur League champions Bay Athletic) to create a fast-paced attack.

But despite the threat these players had to offer, Emley were limited to few goalscoring opportunities, with their best scoring chance created early in the first half. Mugadza brushed off a defensive challenge to find himself one-on-one with the Barton goalkeeper and fired a right-foot shot at goal only for the ball to go narrowly wide.

Emley went close again shortly afterwards with a Matt Neesam header and shot from Gavin Birmingham.Dennis said he hopes the team will start to pick up a run of wins soon.

“In two or three games time we will be a force,” he said. “We’ve got different options now with our players. Brighton holds the ball up and Kenworthy is a good goal scorer. “Before we were limited to how we could play and what system. “We will start a run and pick points up I am sure.”

Dennis said he was more disappointed with the 3-3 draw at home to Teversal two weeks ago, a game Emley led 3-1 at one point, than the Barton result. “We got into a lot of decent situations (against Barton) but our final passes were not good enough.”

Emley, now 12th in the 17-team section, travel to Worsbrough Bridge Miners Welfare, who are 15th, on Saturday (3.00).

AFC Emley: Green, Neesam, Cliff, Hazelden (Nathan), Hazelden (Sean), Battye, Leech, Townsend, Laud, Birmingham, Mugadza. Subs: Handley, Hill, Kenworthy.

Referee: Matthew Walsh.

Attendance: 111.

Nov 20 2007 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Emley pinned back in draw

SIX GOALS, a man sent off, an injury to a key player and a new signing making his debut.

This was the action-packed story of AFC Emley’s 3-3 draw against Teversal at the Welfare Ground in the Northern Counties East League Division I.A victory seemed likely for Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side with only five minutes left to play, but a late goal for their opponents sealed a point.

Joint coach Dennis said he was disappointed with the result and the referee’s decision to show defender Andy Battye the red card. He added: “When we were two goals up we should have gone on to win but we’re learning.

“If we would have kept 11 men on the field I’m sure we would have held out. It killed the game really because we had to take our strikers off. “I thought the referee spoilt the game.”

The Emley coaching staff also had to deal with the disappointment of in-form striker Steve Kenworthy hobbling off the pitch with an ankle injury. Kenworthy, who limped off just before half-time, had scored six goals in four games before the Teversal encounter – three of which came on his debut three weeks ago.

Teversal, who are now top of the table following the draw, took the lead after one minute through Andrew Woodcock. But Emley captain Sean Hazeldon equalised on 19 minutes with a thoughtful, precise shot which he powered into the bottom corner of the net.

Just before half-time, Gavin Birmingham put Emley ahead through a delightful half-volley which looped over the head of the Teversal goalkeeper.

And the home side doubled their lead two minutes into the second half. Marc Townsend made the score 3-1 by striking a shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Marc Scott gave the visitors some hope shortly afterwards by weaving his way around Emley’s defence and slotting the ball home. Then with just five minutes left in the game, Teversal equalised through a Woodcock header.

For all the game’s drama, this must be one of the most memorable debut appearances for new signing Daniel Cliffe, who moved to Emley from an Australian club.

Reflecting further on the result, Dennis said: “We need to kill games off. “They are, however, high up in the league so they are not a bad side, but we’ve probably got to be a bit more professional.”

Dennis said he hopes Kenworthy will make a swift return to action. He added: “He picked up a problem with his ankle. We’ll assess it further but hopefully he will be back soon.”

Emley, now 12th in the 17-team section, travel to struggling Pontefract Collieries, who are 16th, on Saturday (3.00).

A HAT TRICK from new signing Stephen Kenworthy helped AFC Emley return to winning ways in the Northern Counties East League Division I.

The 23-year-old striker, who moved from Wakefield FC on Wednesday, made an impressive debut, contributing towards a 4-0 victory against Staveley Miners Welfare at the Welfare Ground.

Defenders Andrew Battye and Marc Townsend also made the starting 11 for Emley who both joined Kenworthy in a move away from Wakefield last week.

Disappointed with the defeat at Leeds Met Carnegie 10 days ago, joint manager Ray Dennis said it was crucial to get back to winning ways.

He added: “We’re an ambitious club who want to do well.

“I’m delighted that the players showed the right attitude after last week.

“We’re pleased with the signings, but not only that, the rest of the lads have done well too.

“If we’d have just got a point out of this game we would still be near the bottom as opposed to the top of the league so it was important to avoid that.”

In their win against Staveley, Lee Hill scored Emley’s first goal after five minutes.A long pass into the box from the right-wing found Hill who managed to out-run the oncoming goalkeeper, Rob Poulter, and tuck the ball into the net.

Kenworthy grabbed the first of his three goals 30 minutes into the game. With his back initially away from the goal and positioned on the edge of the area, the striker quickly switched his stance and volleyed the ball beyond Poulter.

On 72 minutes he scored his second and Emley’s third when his cross from the wing drifted into the top left corner of the net.
The home side were then awarded a penalty three minutes later which Kenworthy converted to seal his hat trick and the three points.

After the game, Kenworthy said he could not have wished for a better way to start his playing career at Emley. He said: “I came here to have a few games because I wasn’t playing much at Wakefield.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better game. “The lads here (at Emley) are great and the football standard is very good.”

AFC Emley: Green, Mann, Hazelden (Nathan), Battye, Townsend, Joblon, Leech, Laud, Kenworthy, Hill, Hazelden (Sean). Subs: Birmingham, Donnelly, Manousious.

Attendance: 133.

AFC EMLEY booked an FA Vase first round proper place after a 4-3 victory against Ramsbottom United. 

Emley’s victory has set up a first round match away at Bootle on October 6.

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side fought back from a two-goal deficit to win through.On 17 minutes Johnson scored after a breakaway move from the visitors and McManus doubled their lead on 22. But Nick Jagger scored just before the break, which was the start of a spirited Emley fightback.

Gavin Birmingham struck twice on 47 and 55 minutes to fire Emley into a 3-2 lead and Kyle Hawthorn, who had an outstanding game, added Emley’s fourth on 62. But Ramsbottom hit back after a 68th minute breakaway but could not find an equaliser as Emley maintained the pressure.

RAINWORTH gained their second successive three-goal home league win after turning on the power in the first half.

Mark Shaw’s hat-trick, including one goal from the spot, led the Wrens to a 4-1 interval lead over Emley, but with the game won, the second half performance lacked the verve of the first period, until late goals by either side wrapped up the scoring.

Emley were the first onto the attack but had created little, and it was Rainworth who struck first in the fifth minute with the first of Shaw’s trio.

Emley skipper Richard Hirst brought down Craig Wilson’s initial effort but the ball dropped to Shaw who picked his spot under Richard Ayres’ right hand angle from some 20 yards.

That was the Wrens’ first attack of the match, but they might have added a second within a minute, when Danny Bainbridge was a hairsbreadth away from meeting Wilson’s right wing corner.

And home fans anticipated again but Adam Lillie allowed another cross from Wilson to run under his boot when well placed.

Emley pulled level in the 11^th minute when Craig Wilkinson prodded Anthony Leech’s threaded pass beyond the advancing Mark Hales.

The contest became fairly even for a spell with another astute cross from Wilson being taken off the feet of Lillie by the diving Ayres, while for Emley Wilkinson glanced a header just wide.from the impressive Matt Neesam’s angled centre.

But it was Rainworth who forged ahead again, when Danny Naylor fed Wilson in the right of the box. He laid off for Shaw to beat the stretching Ayres with a delightful curling shot.

Matt Draper denied Emley an equaliser two minutes later when he stretched a leg to intercept a useful effort by Allan Laud.

However, Rainworth went 3-1 up in the 36^th minute. Emley failed to clear their lines in a goalmouth scramble and the ball fell to Lillie whose 20-yard finish took a slight deflection and entered the net.

The game was all over bar the shouting on 42, but Emley must have felt aggrieved. For Wilson undoubtedly handled as he controlled the ball on the right before blazing a path between two defenders.

The offence went unseen and Wilson was brought down in the area by the over-stretching leg of Hirst, who could take no further part in the game. To rub salt into the visitors' wounds, he went off with a yellow card, before Shaw completed his hat-trick from the spot.

It could even have been 5-1 before the break, but for Paul Robinson making a good intercepting header to prevent Bainbridge’s accurate center from picking out the unmarked Lillie.

After the interval the game went off the boil somewhat. However, Nick Jagger did just enough to delay Lillie’s shot six minutes in, allowing Ayres to come out to the edge of his area and beat the ball away.

The visitors were unlucky, though, two minutes later, when Hales turned a good angled effort from Wilkinson onto his bar and behind for a corner.

Another superb challenge by Draper on the hour kept Leech at bay as Emley began to push the home side back. But Shaw was close to his fourth goal five minutes on, his glancing header onto a cross from Glenn Nattriss beating Ayres but dropping just the wrong side of the far upright.

Ayres saved Albery’s 20-yard free kick competently eight minutes from time, but Emley got a second goal with a minute of the 90 to play, when Leech got through to the left of the area and drove home an angled shot.

However, the three-goal cushion was restored in the second minute of overtime. Substitute Steve Shannon, who moments earlier had lobbed the advancing Ayres only to see it go wide, managed to lift the ball over the keeper again, but this time he met it as it dropped, to slot home and complete the scoring.

Result: Rainworth 5 - 2 AFC Emley

RAINWORTH: Hales, Nattriss, Fletcher (L. Wood 76), Alberry, Smith (Wright ht), Draper, Bainbridge, Naylor, Lillie (Shannon 63), Wilson, Shaw.

EMLEY: Ayres, Neesam, Handley, Jagger, Robinson, Hirst (Clarke 42), Clapham (J. Wood ht), Leech, Laud (Mann 68), Wilkinson, Hawthorn.

REFEREE: Peter King of Potterhanworth, Lincoln.

ATTENDANCE: 77

GOALS: Rainworth – Shaw 5, 28, 42 pen; Lillie 36; Shannon 90+2. Emley – Wilkinson 11; Leech 89.

CAUTIONS: Rainworth – Wood 90+3 (foul). Emley – Hirst 42 (‘professional’ foul).

Hallam v AFC EMLEY FA Cup Preliminary Round 
(Played at Welfare Ground Emley)

AFC Emley fought back from being behind twice in this game, and despite playing 42 minutes of the second half with only 10 men, Emley looked the better side during the second period.

Hallam took the lead just before halftime with a break down the right, Carrington weaved into the edge of the box and beat Emley keeper, Ayres, down to his left hand corner of the net. ‘Keeper’ Ayres had a moment in the second half when he spilled an innocuous cross onto his line, luckily the danger was cleared before Hallam realised what had happened.

Hallam sat back as soon as Leech got his marching orders. The Emley crowd thought it wasn't going to be their day when the ball struck the angle of crossbar and post after yet another good centre.

Finally Emley drew level with Russ Green getting the equaliser on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box.  However the lead lasted only a matter of minutes when Hallam got a clear cut penalty. Carrington sent the Emley keeper the wrong way from the spot.

With a large number of the 226 crowd moving away from the ground Emley drew level for the second time to force the game into a replay next Wednesday 5^th Sept. KO 7.45pm. From a corner in the 89 minute Sean Hazelden got the Emley second, rising above the defenders to glance the ball into the top corner.  

Result: AFC Emley 2 - 2 Hallam

AFC’s home replay after late drama
Sep 3 2007 Huddersfield Examiner

SEAN HAZELDEN scored a last-gasp equaliser to earn 10-man AFC Emley a replay against Hallam in the FA Cup preliminary round. He struck with barely a minute left to force a 2-2 draw in a tie switched to the Welfare Ground, just when it seemed the visitors would go through.

A large number of the 226 crowd started heading for the gates when Richard Carrington gave Hallam the lead for the second time from the spot with just seven minutes left – but there was a sting in the tail and the replay will now take place on Wednesday (7.45), again at the Welfare Ground.

It was a creditable effort for AFC to take a share of the spoils after twice being behind and after playing 42 minutes of the second half with only 10 men following the dismissal of midfielder Anthony Leech.

Hallam took the lead just before half time after a break down the right, Carrington weaving to the edge of the box and beating Emley keeper Richard Ayres low to his left corner.Hallam sat back as soon as Leech got his marching orders and a long-range Emley shot hit the angle of bar and post.

With time running out, Emley drew level through Russ Green on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but it was only the start of the drama.

There was no disputing the penalty from which Carrington sent Ayres the wrong way from the spot, while Hazelden did superbly to rise above defenders and glance home his last-ditch saver.


Hallam v AFC Emley FA Cup Prelim Rd 
(fixture switched to Welfare Ground)

Emley went behind twice in this game, and despite playing 47 minutes of the second half with only 10 men, Emley looked the better side during the second period.

Hallam took the lead just before halftime with a break down the right, the player (sorry missed his name) weaved into the edge of the box and beat the Emley keeper down to his left hand in to the corner of the net. Ayres had a moment in the second half when he spilled an innocuous cross onto his line, luckily the danger was cleared before Hallam realised what had happened.

Hallam sat back as soon as the Emley player got his marching orders. I thought it wasn't going to be our day when the ball struck the angle of crossbar and post after yet another good centre. Russ Green got the equaliser on 83 minutes after a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box - I thought it was possibly an own goal. The lead lasted only a matter of minutes when Hallam got a clear cut penalty. Having sent the Emley keeper the wrong way, I thought the Hallam team were going to run into the Cricket pavilion with their celebration.

From an Emley Corner on 88 minutes Sean Hazelden got the Emley second, rising above the defenders to glance the ball into the top corner. To be fair for all the good possession we didn't give the Hallam keeper a great deal to do.

I made the mistake of praising the ref just before half time, all in all he didn't have that bad a game. A few contentious decisions and off the ball stuff from Hallam players went unpunished. I thought there was a foul on the Emley player which wasn't given just before he lashed out with his elbow and got sent off. Again no excuse for that.

Another decent crowd 226. As this was technically our away game I would hope that the replay on Wednesday will see a better 90 minute performance from Emley. We looked so much better when we played the ball on the floor. I thought the Hallam defence was fairly average, their right back had a poor game and we didn't punish his mistakes enough. I thought Danny might have had greater sucess by swapping wings. The Hazelden brothers were immense tonight, Hallam were really quick out of defence. Their 10 Cam - who limped off looked good, read the game well.

Result: Hallam 2 - 2 AFC Emley

See you Wednesday.

Martin (report from the Forum)

Dinnington Town v AFC Emley

Report from Dinnington website

After two cup games Dinnington got back to League affairs with this game against AFC Emley. Like Dinnington this is Emley’s second season in the NCEL and will be hoping to better last years 13th placing. Emley have started well this year in the League with a good 2-0 away win at Borrowash Victoria with Jones and Leech scoring. They then had an easy 3-0 home win with Darwen in the FA Cup with Chapman 2 and Walton scoring, so the game today with two sides pushing for a top three position this term. Last years games were even steven with a 2-0 Emley win away and a 3-0 Dinnington win at home.

Today's game was end to end stuff with Emley shading the first quarter but it was Town who took the lead on 32 minutes when a good run and cross from Martin Wade found Ant Lynam who's fierce shot gave the Emley keeper Lee Wilson no chance. From the goal Town took charge up to half time. HT 1-0

Emley responded well to the halftime team talk when on 62 minutes they equalised from a corner, they pressured Town's goal and had four attempted shots but finally went in off the knee of fullback Martin Sculley. They took the lead on 81 minutes when Substitute Russell Green ran away to score past Phil Rhodes. It was then Town's turn to put the pressure on when Liam Cartledge was put through but was bundled off the ball. They got the deserved equaliser on 89 minutes when a good run by Ant Lynam down the left he cut into the area and sent in a unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net. 

Result: Dinnington Town 2 - 2 AFC Emley

AFC Emley v Darwen
FA CUP (Sponsored by e-on) Extra Preliminary Round
Friday 17^th August

AFC Emley playing in their very first FA Cup tie since being reformed 3 years ago delighted a large Friday night crowd with this victory against a hard working Darwen side. However, the match was soured by two late dismissals. Jones for Emley and Parkes for Darwen

Emley began the brighter and should have taken an early lead but first the post and then a wayward shot kept the sides even. Darwen suffered and early blow when after only 18 minutes Telfer sustained and injury and was replaced by Anderton.

Both Emley full backs were making indents into the Darwen defence and were sending telling crosses but Wilkinson and Clapham were unable to put the finishing touches. This seamed to give the visitors heart and they began to make inroads into the Emley defence but the Hazelden brothers stood firm 

Finally in the 36^th minute Emley broke the deadlock. Neesam broke down the right and sent in a cross which was only half cleared. The ball fell at the feet of Clapham whose first time shot gave Dawson little chance in the visitor’s goal.

Emley went further ahead a minute before half time when Walton finished of another smooth move.

The second period began in the same fashion as the first with all the pressure coming from the home side. Once again Darwen’s rhythm was broken when Stanford was carried off with a knee injury.

Emley’s final goal was scored in added time by man of the match Clapham
Two players sent off during the 7 minutes of added time:

Result: AFC Emley 3 – 0 Darwen

Man of the Match: Clapham (AFC Emley)
Entertainment Value 4**** 
Att 266

AFC Emley: Ayres, Neesham, Clarke, Hazelden N, Hazelden S, Robinson, Jagger, Walker, Clapham, Wilkinson, Walton. Subs: Joice, Jones, Hawthorn, Hirst, Pinnock .

Scarf giveaway for AFC’s young FA Cup fans
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 17 2007 by Mel Booth

THERE’S an FA Cup giveaway for young fans when AFC Emley entertain Darwen at the Welfare Ground tonight (7.45). 

The first 200 young supporters through the turnstiles will receive a free club scarf to mark AFC’s historic first appearance in the competition.

Coaches Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis are hoping a couple of injury scares clear up for the extra preliminary round clash with the Lancashire side, with the prize a preliminary round tie against Hallam or Nelson.

And AFC are hoping for a bumper crowd as they bid to become one of the first winners on this season’s Road to Wembley.

“We are aiming to make it a family football night and that’s why we are giving away the scarves to young supporters who come to the game,” said assistant secretary Richard Hazelden.

“There seems to have been quite a lot of interest in the tie in the village and, with it being a good start to the weekend, we are hoping other fans whose matches aren’t until tomorrow will come along, give us their support and help to cheer us into the next round.”

While AFC warmed up with a 2-0 win at Borrowash Victoria in the Northern Counties East League, North West Counties side Darwen lost their first match 5-0 to Kirkham & Wesham but recovered to chalk a midweek 5-1 win over Ashton Town.

“It would be great if we could be the first team to win in the FA Cup this season and I know Nicky and Ray are fielding a strong team and we’re hoping to progress,” added Hazelden.

Admission is £4 for adults and £2 concessions and the club have ordered plenty of pies!

Meanwhile, AFC are intending to run a Reserve team this season and any players who would like to get involved and have a trial can ring Bramald on 07879-680498.

Knockout action beckons for AFC Emley
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 11 2007 by Dougie Thomson

AFC hope for bonus Cup crowd 
Huddersfield Examiner Aug 15 2007 by Linzi Nicholson

Borrowash Victoria 0 - 2 Emley 

AFC EMLEY warmed up for their first ever foray in the FA Cup this Friday with a valuable 2-0 away win at Borrowash Victoria in their opening Northern Counties East League match of the new campaign.

Emley, who provided the opposition for the first of Town’s pre-season friendlies on July 18, take on Lancastrians Darwen at the Welfare Ground on Friday (7.45) in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Officials hope for a bumper crowd to support the club, who were formed only two years ago (admission £4, £2 for concessions), especially from interested Town fans before they head down to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Two second-half goals from two of nine new signings making their League debuts, gave Emley their Division I win.

Antony Leech, on 54 minutes, and Kyle Jones, on 62, gave AFC the only away win of all the NCE Division I sides.

On a difficult, hard and scorched pitch, good football was difficult for both sides with Borrowash failing to make any telling ground while AFC were dangerous on the break.

Emley striker Allan Laud, who was carrying an injury coming into the game, was replaced at half time by Jones and the AFC players began to take command.

On 54 minutes Danny Clapham broke down the right and sent a superb cross for Leech to bring down and coolly beat the home keeper.

And on 62 they went further ahead when Jones picked the ball up just inside the home half and went on a mazy run, cutting inside to beat his last opponent, and shot beyond the advancing home keeper.

Borrowash Victoria 0 - 2 Emley 

Emley started the season with a win after a fine performance at Borrowash. Despite the shock of losing Jamie Green to Alfreton on the eve of the match, Richard Ayres stood fast behind a strong defence to stifle any creativity Borrowash could muster in an even first half.

For Emley Danny Clapham came closest and he continued with a fine performance in the second half. His cross led to the opening goal, scored by Anthony Leech who controlled the ball and took it round the keeper before finishing.

Kyle Jones then put the game beyond Borrowash with a fine individual effort, picking the ball up in midfield he dribbled past 2 men before slotting home past the hapless 'keeper.
Attendance: 72

AFCE: Ayres, Walker, Clarke, Hazelden N, Hazelden S, Robinson, Clapham, Leech 1, Laud, Wilkinson, Walton
Subs: Hawthorn, Jones 1, Pinnock

Ritchie happy to provide AFC Emley with windfall
Jul 20 2007 Huddersfield Examiner by Dougie Thomson

ANDY RITCHIE will be keeping a close eye on AFC Emley’s results this season.

The Town manager enjoyed his trip to the Welfare Ground on Wednesday, when a bumper 1,985 watched his side chalk up a 3-0 win in the Adrian Wright Memorial Match.

Danny Cadamarteri (penalty), Luke Beckett and Matt Young scored in Town’s first public pre-season friendly.

But the Galpharm side were held goalless in the first 45 minutes, and Ritchie was impressed with the standard of the Northern Counties East League First Division team, who were also playing their first public game.

“It’s a tidy set-up, and hopefully, we’ve helped provide them with a nice financial boost,” said Ritchie, who takes his side to another non-league club, Bridlington Town, tomorrow.

“I was delighted with the turn-out from our fans. It showed they’re interested in what we’re doing and should also have helped provide a few bob for AFC Emley, which was part of the exercise.

“I wish Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis (the joint AFC Emley managers) all the best this season, and I’ll certainly be keeping a check on their fortunes.”

AFC kick-off their second NCE campaign with a trip to Borrowash Victoria on Saturday, August 11, the same day Town open their League I campaign at home to Yeovil.

The former West Yorkshire League side, formed in 2005, have also entered the FA Cup for the first time (they host Darwen in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 18).

The team will be preparing with six further friendlies

There are trips to Thorne Colliery on Wednesday, Eccleshill United on Monday week, July 30, Glossop on Wednesday week, August 1, Marsden the night after and Bay Athletic on Saturday, August 4. AFC then host Ossett Town on Tuesday, August 7.

Wednesday’s match, incidentally, provided a quick reunion between Ritchie and AFC official Richard Poulain.Former Football League referee Poulain’s day job is as a coach driver, and he took Town to their private practice match against Stoke on Tuesday!

AFC Emley 0 Town 3 
Jul 19 2007 Huddersfield Examiner
 by Dougie Thomson

TOWN fans will be hoping they witnessed a sign of things to come after seeing AFC Emley beaten 3-0 in last night’s (July 18th) opening pre-season friendly at the Welfare Ground.

New signing Danny Cadamarteri netted the first goal of the Adrian Wright Memorial Match from the penalty spot and made the second for last season’s top scorer Luke Beckett (Matt Young got the third).

Andy Ritchie’s other close-season recruit Malvin Kamara showed encouraging flashes of pace and trickery on the right flank.

And there were bright displays from some of the young guns, notably Mitchell Bailey, who came on at half-time and was a positive force in midfield.

Wideman Danny Racchi, the only player to complete the whole of a private practice match against Stoke on Tuesday, was the only member of Ritchie’s 23-strong senior squad not to make an appearance against the hard-working Northern Counties East League side.

And members of an impressive 1,985 crowd also saw trialists Lee Snodin, son of Glynn, and Jack Kamara, son of Chris, in the new Town kit.

Ritchie’s charges looked a little rusty in the first half, when Danny Schofield curled a free-kick just over and poked a shot wide from a Malvin Kamara cross before Jon Worthington headed too high from close range.

But they picked up the pace after the break, going in front just two minutes into the second half when Chris Brandon was brought down in the box by Paul Robinson and Cadamarteri put away the spot kick right footed past keeper Jamie Green.

Town’s Matt Glennon made smart reflex saves to deny Sean Hazelden and Craig Wilkinson soon after.

But Town were soon back on the attack, and Michael Collins shot just over from distance before Beckett’s cool 56th-minute finish from Cadamarteri’s pass.

Lucas Akins’ 69th-minute shot on the turn was well saved, but the keeper could do nothing when Young controlled neatly on the edge of the area and drilled home an 83rd-minute effort.

First half: Eastwood, Berrett, Hardy, Snodin, N Clarke, Sinclair, Schofield, Worthington, Booth (Beckett, 39mins), Cadamarteri, M Kamara

Second half: Glennon, J Kamara (T Clarke, 76), Skarz, Bailey, Mirfin, Berrett (Holdsworth, 63), Brandon, Collins, Cadamarteri (Akins, 56), Beckett (Malcher, 82), M Kamara (Young, 56).

Town signings on parade Jul 18 2007 by Dougie Thomson

TOWN fans will get their first chance to see new signings Danny Cadamarteri and Malvin Kamara tonight.

Both will be involved in the opening pre-season friendly against AFC Emley at the Welfare Ground (7.30).

Boss Andy Ritchie intends to use tonight’s Adrian Wright Memorial Match and Saturday’s game at Bridlington Town to give run-outs to every member of his 23-strong senior squad.

That means he will see Chris Brandon, the Clarke brothers, Nathan and Tom, Danny Schofield, Aaron Hardy and Matthew Young in match action for the first time.

Brandon was on loan at Blackpool and the other five out through injury when Ritchie was appointed in April

While Ritchie is keen to check out the players he inherited, supporters will want to see the new faces.

Ex-Everton starlet Cadamarteri, who later played for Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield United, has joined from Leicester.

And former MK Dons and Cardiff winger Kamara, at 23, four years younger than Cadamarteri, has moved from League I rivals Port Vale.

Ritchie has promised the pair will provide an injection of pace, the absence of which many believe was the root cause of last season’s disappointing 15th-placed finish.

Kamara has recovered from an Achilles tendon niggle suffered during training and will be able to complete the next step of his settling-in process.

“While Danny lives close by over in Cleckheaton, Malvin has already got himself sorted out with a flat in the area,” reported Ritchie.

“Ask any of the other lads and I think they’d say it’s as if Danny and Malvin have been around for two years rather than two weeks.

“They’ve been welcomed with open arms, both have taken to the club really well and, with a team spirit like we have, it’s a pleasure to take training.”

On tonight’s match, in memory of the former AFC Emley president who died aged 54 in January, Ritchie said: “It’s primarily about fitness, but we want to play some respectful football too.

“In the overall scheme of things, friendly results don’t matter, but you do want to get into the winning habit, because that breeds confidence.”

It’s quid a kid for tonight’s game, with other admission prices £6 adults, and £3 concessions.

AFC drawn at home in first FA Cup clash 
Jul 3 2007 by Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFC Emley have a home test in their first-ever FA Cup-tie.

The Welfare Ground club have been paired with Blackburn side Darwen in the preliminary round of the famous old competition.

The tie will be played at Emley on the weekend of August 18, the exact day to be decided in consultation with the cricket club, who use part of the ground.

Darwen are from the same level as AFC, playing in the North West Counties Second Division.

Emley have not featured in the FA Cup since their reformation – the original club, of course, moving to Wakefield. The North East Counties outfit are also at home in the FA Vase, drawing Ramsbottom of the NWC First Division in the first round on September 22.

Emley are starting training tonight and Thursday (from 7pm) at Shelley High School and assistant secretary Richard Hazelden explained they would be happy for potential players to join Nicky Bramald and Ray Dennis’s squad.

“If any lads from the District League or West Riding County Amateur League would like to step up a level then we would be happy for them to come along,” he said.

“Our ambitions in the next three to five years are to move up the football pyramid, but it won’t be done at any cost.

“We are trying to recreate what has been done here at the Welfare Ground in the past, we’ve got planning permission for a bar and plenty of people who are willing to put in some hours to keep things moving forward.

“We don’t want to get over-stretched like some clubs have done, but maybe a return to the UniBond in the next few years is something we can aim for.

“At the moment, stepping up from the District or West Riding to our level isn’t too much of a big jump, so hopefully a few lads will fancy giving it a go and will come along and join us.”

Bramald can be contacted on 07879 680498.

Emley, of course, kick-off pre-season against Town at the Welfare Ground on July 18 in the Adrian Wright Memorial game (7.30).

On July 30 they visit Eccleshill United and then, of August 4, they travel to Bay Athletic. They are at home to Ossett Town on August 7 (7.30).

Hazelden stressed a lot of hard work has already been put in at the club, not least by former Galpharm groundsman Raymond Chappell, who has got the pitch looking superb.