By Martin Eastwood
Mo Qasim scored his first goal for the club as Emley AFC bounced back to winning form with a 1-0 victory in Newcastle against Heaton Stannington.
On the back of a defeat and two draws, which had seen them concede top spot in the Northern Premier League Division 1 East, the Pewits returned from a 220-mile round trip with all three points.
It was a fierce and frantic battle with both sides fairly evenly matched throughout but Emley’s late first half goal was enough for them to take the points back down the A1.
Stan keeper Neil De Jesus saved from both Lawrence Sorhaindo and Qasim and De Jesus denied Emley on numerous occasions, none more so than a fine double save from Qasim and Amir Berchil on the rebound.
The only goal came two minutes before the break. A ball into the area was headed down in the six yard box and Qasim slotted home leaving De Jesus beaten this time.
Early in the second half Sorhaindo saw a shot saved as he bullied his way into the box but couldn’t get enough quality on the strike.
Sorhaindo was then clattered by a very strong challenge which saw Alex Metcalfe smash a free-kick wide with Sorhaindo needing lengthy treatment.
Stan fought their way back and a shot went wide of Dec Lambton’s post and an appeal for a penalty wasn’t given. Another shot went wide and Adam Clayton slashed the ball away from almost off the line and to safety.
Stan missed a great chance to equalise and Nathan Curtis and Charlie Barks had efforts at the other end. Al Keita had a ‘goal’ ruled out for off-side before a big finish from the home side which left Emley hanging on in five minutes of added time.
It was a huge three points on the road to stay second in the table. Garforth Town visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday November 9 (3.00).
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