AFC EMLEY make a quick return to Worsbrough Bridge tonight (7.45) aiming to bounce back after their first Northern Counties East League defeat of the season.
Ian Banks’ side slumped 1-0 at Bottesford Town, but remain handily placed in third behind leaders Tadcaster Albion and Askern Villa.
Emley were 3-0 winners in Division I at Worsbrough a week ago, and now seek another victory over the Barnsley side in the first round of the league’s Wilkinson Sword Trophy.
Boss Banks had to make changes for the visit to Scunthorpe side Bottesford, who won with Craig Mitchell’s 24th-minute goal.
Anthony Leech replaced flu-ridden Matt Higginbotham in central defence alongside Sean Hazelden.
And other key players absent included Max Joice, Gavin Armitage, Mick Amos and Dean Sidebottom, who grabbed two goals at Worsbrough.
Bottesford began strongly and breached the Emley defence three times in the first 10 minutes, but failed to find the net.
The visitors were wasting possession and failing to make good use of set-pieces, and it was no surprise when they went behind.
Mitchell made the most of a cross from the left to sidefoot past keeper Matt Clarke for his second goal of the season.
Banks made a double substitution on 37 minutes in an effort to pep things up and on 57 minutes, Steve Kenworthy came close after being set up by Josh Nodder.
Skipper Kenworthy had another great chance from Nodder’s 65th-minute delivery, but shot over.
Liversedge play host to Bridlington Town in a Premier Division clash tonight (7.45) after losing 4-3 at Selby to go 10th.
Brook Newton, Callum Armstrong and Paul Walker scored.
