It was a rare occasion down at the Welfare Ground as super striker Ashley Flynn was unable to score in AFC Emley’s 2-2 draw with Shirebrook Town to edge closer to the Northern Counties League’s goal scoring record.
Flynn had a couple of opportunities to take a step closer to the record but goals from brothers Ruben and Sam Jerome in either half secured a point for Emley.
Ruben hit a rocket from the edge of the area to find the top corner to make it 1-0 while Sam headed home from a corner to make it 2-2 after two unfortunate mistakes by goalkeeper Adam Lawlor put the travelling Shirebrook 2-1 up.
The NCEL goal record currently stands at 56 goals in all competitions set by Kieran Debrouwer at Heanor Town in the 2013/14 season.
Flynn has hit the back of the net 50 times so far this season and he has until May to overtake 56 goals – but the striker would like to have the record for a Christmas present.
“I’d like to break the record before the end of the month or mid-January but it would be nice as a Christmas present,” said the 26 year old.
“We’ve got a few games up until Christmas and we’re playing Boxing Day.”
The season so far has been a complete contrast compared to last season for Flynn as he struggled with injury last term.
Emley’s man of the moment was out until the new year last season but has flew out of the blocks this time around scoring an astonishing 50 goals.
“I was injured until December last year and when I came back I just couldn’t get fit but it’s a bit of a different comparison this season.
“Everyone keeps asking me what I’m aiming for but I just want to take it game by game and see what I get. 70 would be nice.”
The Emley striker’s remarkable record in front of goal this season has saw him receive vast media attention - with BBC Sport even comparing his goal record to Europe’s top marksmen such as Ronaldo, Lewandowski and even ex Halifax man Jamie Vardy.
“It’s been a bit weird. I’ve had 200 and something adds on Facebook and my Twitter has just been going nuts.
“One of their (Shirebrook) lads was saying ‘Mr. Big Time’ and all of that but I’m part of the lads and it’s not about me, it’s about the club and trying to get promotion.
This isn’t the first time Flynn has received media coverage as the striker went viral last season too - for the wrong reasons.
Flynn’s attempted Panenka penalty against Hemsworth received over one million hits as it was described as “the worst Panenka penalty of all time” by some outlets.
“It’s nice to have attention now for the right reasons. Last year I got so much stick.
“I was in Egypt last year and I was at the pool and this guy come up to me and asked if I took a penalty last year so I said yes why?
“He said to me that he had seen it on the internet and asked if I was Ashley Flynn. A couple of guys around the pool took the mick and it was a bit of a laugh really. My girlfriend said it was embarrassing.
It doesn't always go right for Ash.
“It was someone who I’ve worked with who posted the video but he didn’t know me at the time. He asked me if I wanted him to remove it but I just said it’s a bit of a laugh isn’t it.”
The 26 year old has the backing of his manager Darren Hepworth to break the record and continue scoring goals as Emley chase promotion to the NCEL Premier Division.
“If we can keep him injury free it’s only a matter of time before he breaks it, so it’s not a case of if it’s a case of when,” said the Emley boss.
“He probably said he can do it before Christmas because he has that sort of confidence. I think he will do it before the end of January.
“It would be fantastic for him. It’s been great for the club, the publicity we’ve had over the recent weeks has been unbelievable for the Emley brand.
“His all-round game isn’t that great but he strikes a ball like I’ve seen no one else and he has a natural ability to be in the right place at the right time.
“After today I think we’ve scored 119 goals which is incredible and Ash has 50 of them. He plays in a team that creates so many chances. Kieran Ryan is massive to Ashley’s game but he doesn’t get the plaudits because he’s the grafter.
“We’re pushing for promotion and the good thing this season is the introduction of the play offs so we want to finish in the top six.”
AFC EMLEY: Adam Lawlor, Jordan Coduri, Ryan Brook, Robbie Graham, Sam Jerome, Alex Slack, Michael Tunnacliffe, Ruben Jerome, Ashley Flynn, Kieran Ryan, Alex Hallam. Subs: Jordan Townend, Paul Spicer, Dominic Noteman, Alex Horsman, Tom Brennan.
