EMLEY suffered a heavy 4-0 home defeat against a much improved Staveley Miners side in the Northern Counties East League Division I.
However, the home side had made the running and had three goals disallowed within the first half hour of the game by a referee’s assistant.
Ian Banks’ side started the game with Tom Burgin back in the centre of the defence, while Andy Farrell started along with Steve Kenworthy and Danny Clapham in the attacking positions.
Emley had the bulk of the first half possession and created a number of chances which were well dealt with by the impressive Kearney in the Staveley goal.
Staveley made the best of their limited opportunities and striker Lee Gregory put away two goals to give his side a 2-0 half-time lead.
Playing into a strong wind and with a two-goal deficit it was always going to be a struggle for Emley to get anything out of the second half.
To their credit they continued to play good football and pushed forward to try claw back the deficit.Š
Their efforts were to no avail as shots on target were limited by Staveley, who defended in numbers.
They counter-attacked with good effect and hit Emley on the break notching two more goals through Morris and Colley.
Emley contested the fourth goal, feeling the ball had been cleared off the line by Max Joice, but on this occasion the assistant flagged for a goal.
AFC Emley: Green, Joice, Higginbottom, Burgin, Hazelden, Leech, Clapham, Townsend, Kenworthy, Farrell, Armitage. Subs Wilson, Stuart, Thomas.
Attendance: 120
