Report by James Hall
AFC Emley remain top of the Northern Counties East League Division I after beating top-table rivals Eccleshill United as both sides finished with 10 men.
Josh Ingham got a straight red card from referee Nigel Haycock for serious foul play early on – a decision which baffled Emley – but they won 1-0 with a penalty from skipper Paul Sykes on his 901st senior career appearance.
Eccleshill dominated the opening exchanges, as you would expect from a team with the numerical advantage, however they were unable to capitalise.
No real chances were created by the home side, who relied on ambitious efforts from range, which Adam Lawlor had no difficulty in dealing with.
Ash Flynn had the best chance for Emley when he was put through by Steven Kenworthy but, unfortunately, he scuffed his shot into the arms of the goalkeeper.
The turning point came after half an hour, when Flynn rounded the goalkeeper and was brought down.
Haycock pointed to the spot, and had no choice but to send off the home stopper. Sykes put away the penalty with consumate ease, sending substitute keeper Ethan Cashan the wrong way.
Now the teams had even numbers, Emley started to pile on the pressure, with Flynn playing on the shoulder of the defence, causing them all kinds of problems.
Jordan Townend and Michael Tunnicliffe were pulling the strings in midfield, keeping possession well, and dictating the tempo – and Eccleshill were unable to cope.
The second half was relatively flat compared with the all-action first period, with Emley delivering a defensive masterclass to keep the home side at bay.
That man Sykes was instrumental in organising the back four, who played the offside trap perfectly.
Eccleshill pushed forward, making a couple of attacking substitutions, while Emley boss Darren Hepworth made changes of his own, replacing Flynn with Antony Brown, who made some penetrative runs in the latter stages of the game.
It was fellow substitute Alex Hallam who had the best chance, a one-on-one in the closing minutes, but his effort was well saved.
