AFC EMLEY moved up into sixth place in the Northern Counties East League’s Division I table with an impressive second half performance securing a 2-0 win at struggling Teversal.
After a fairly uninspiring first half where neither side created many chances, Emley stepped it up a gear in the second period.
Manager Darren Hepworth was forced to reshuffle his side with Sean Hazelden, Josh Ingham and Scott Holt unavailable and John Cyrus out injured.
Emley opted to play five across midfield, with Matt Kilner playing as a lone striker and David Heagney in a deeper role.
Jeremy Mitchell looked the most dangerous outlet for the home side and he had tested the Emley defence before putting the ball in their net, but his header was from an offside position.
Emley responded with a defence splitting pass by Curtis Roberts setting Jamie Arundel free on the right and the 16-year-old defender showed good control to deliver a testing cross, but Marc Townsend was unable to convert the chance.
In truth neither side’s keeper had a lot to trouble them in the first half but this was soon to change after half time as Emley took the game to their hosts.
The breakthrough goal came on 49 minutes with Arundel getting behind the home defence to put in a low cross for a Roberts shot. His effort was blocked on the line but Mick Amos bundled home the rebound.
Roberts had a great chance to double the lead after Heagney whipped in a cross, but sliced his shot into the hands of the Teversal keeper Scot Margereson.
Minutes later Roberts had a better effort at goal from distance forcing another good save from Margereson.
Mark Robinson forced the first save of the game from Emley’s Lewis Rhodes with a decent curling effort before Roberts led another Emley raid, cutting in from the left to hook the ball to Amos, who drilled a rising shot just wide of the top right hand corner.
Emley’s defence looked more solid than in recent games and Arundel had a stand-out game at right-back.
Hepworth introduced Steve Richards for the final 20 minutes but his debut was shortlived as he limped off with a badly gashed ankle after being on the field less than five minutes.
Richards’ replacement Brad Dowling was the creator of Emley’s second goal on 87 minutes hitting a cross from the left wing, which Amos intelligently allowed to run through to Heagney who scored.
Tomorrow Emley travel to league new boys Albion Sports, who share Bradford Park Avenue’s Horsfall Stadium.
AFC Emley: Rhodes, Arundel, Tayo, Stuart, Colley, Leech, Amos, Townsend, Kilner (Richards 70, Dowling 75), Heagney, Roberts (Armitage 75). Sub not used: Clarke.
NCE LEAGUE DIVISION I
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Louth Town
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Albion Sports
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Worsbrough Br Ath
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Grimsby Borough
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Shirebrook Town
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Hallam
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Eccleshill United
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Askern Villa
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Dinnington Town
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Yorkshire Amateur
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Teversal
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Appleby Frodingham
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