AFC EMLEY maintained their unbeaten league record following thumping a surprisingly dispirited Dinnington outfit 5-0 away from home on Saturday before a 1-1 Bank Holiday draw at home to Eccleshill United.

For the South Yorkshire clash manager Darren Hepworth was able to put out an unchanged starting line-up with Mark Stuart replacing Josh Ingham on the bench.

Ash Flynn dominated the scoring with a hat trick, and the other goals coming from Curtis Roberts and substitute Liam Schofield.

Emley were on top from the first whistle and after a string of efforts the inevitable goal arrived on 18 minutes.

Striker Dean Wharam ran from halfway beating his marker and passing the ball on to Doran Jordan whose cross reached Flynn and he placed his shot just inside the post.

Emley continued to press and Wharam had efforts smothered by the keeper and just wide and Flynn fired over.

Dinnington’s best attempt in this period was a 35-yard strike from full back Jefferies past Herriott’s post.

The second goal arrived on 44 minutes as Wharam went to the by-line and his cross found Roberts who couldn’t miss from a yard out.

Emley continued where they left off after half-time with Flynn’s mis-kick in front of goal falling to Wharam, who hit the back of the net, only to be ruled offside.

After more pressure and attempts on goal from the visitors, the home side had their best chance to date when Lynam’s shot was well saved by Herriott on 55 minutes.

Two minutes later they threw on all three subs in an effort to change the pattern of the match.

This had the desired effect for a period with several chances coming and going and Herriott having to be alert to the danger.

However, on 71 minutes the points were wrapped up for Emley when Roberts, after battling to win the ball in midfield, put Flynn through on goal and the latter calmly beat the keeper on his near post.

Immediately Roberts and, especially, Wharam were given well-deserved breaks and replaced by the fresh legs of Kenworthy and Schofield.

Within two minutes the former had unselfishly squared a ball to Flynn to complete his hat trick. Kenworthy was again involved in the final goal on 78 minutes when he controlled the ball, passed to fellow sub Schofield, who shot across the keeper and inside the far post.

There was still time for Schofield to nearly beat Thornton in the Dinnington net direct from a corner and Flynn to hit the post and then, in injury time, the bar.

It looks like a long struggle ahead this season for the home side and, with a degree of cautious optimism, a more successful one for Emley.

AFC Emley: Herriott, Thornton, Leech, Cyrus (Wdowczyk), Hazelden, Banton, Haigh, Jordan, Wharam (Kenworthy), Flynn, Roberts (Schofield). Subs (not used): Bradshaw, Stuart.

In the NCE League’s Premier Division Brighouse Town bounced back as they beat Bridlington Town 2-1 at home.

the win followed Saturday’s exit from the FA Cup when they were beaten 2-1 at home by NCE League Division I outfit Eccleshill United.