A HAT TRICK from new signing Stephen Kenworthy helped AFC Emley return to winning ways in the Northern Counties East League Division I.

The 23-year-old striker, who moved from Wakefield FC on Wednesday, made an impressive debut, contributing towards a 4-0 victory against Staveley Miners Welfare at the Welfare Ground.

Defenders Andrew Battye and Marc Townsend also made the starting 11 for Emley who both joined Kenworthy in a move away from Wakefield last week.

Disappointed with the defeat at Leeds Met Carnegie 10 days ago, joint manager Ray Dennis said it was crucial to get back to winning ways.

He added: “We’re an ambitious club who want to do well.

“I’m delighted that the players showed the right attitude after last week.

“We’re pleased with the signings, but not only that, the rest of the lads have done well too.

“If we’d have just got a point out of this game we would still be near the bottom as opposed to the top of the league so it was important to avoid that.”

In their win against Staveley, Lee Hill scored Emley’s first goal after five minutes.

A long pass into the box from the right-wing found Hill who managed to out-run the oncoming goalkeeper, Rob Poulter, and tuck the ball into the net.

Kenworthy grabbed the first of his three goals 30 minutes into the game.

With his back initially away from the goal and positioned on the edge of the area, the striker quickly switched his stance and volleyed the ball beyond Poulter.

On 72 minutes he scored his second and Emley’s third when his cross from the wing drifted into the top left corner of the net.

The home side were then awarded a penalty three minutes later which Kenworthy converted to seal his hat trick and the three points.

After the game, Kenworthy said he could not have wished for a better way to start his playing career at Emley.

He said: “I came here to have a few games because I wasn’t playing much at Wakefield.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better game.

“The lads here (at Emley) are great and the football standard is very good.”

AFC Emley: Green, Mann, Hazelden (Nathan), Battye, Townsend, Joblon, Leech, Laud, Kenworthy, Hill, Hazelden (Sean). Subs: Birmingham, Donnelly, Manousious.

Attendance: 133.

There was disappointment for AFC Emley when Mexborough Athletic were reinstated into the Sheffield Senior Cup.

Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side had been awarded a bye but the teams will now play their first-round tie on Saturday at the ground of rivals Mexborough Main (1.30).

Athletic had been reinstated by the County FA after a revaluation of the original decision taken by the County Cup committee.