By Martin Eastwood
Emley AFC gave it everything but got bogged down in the rain on a heavy pitch and eventually went down to a scrappy first half goal.
The Pewits lost 1-0 to Staveley Miners Welfare at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground in a tight game where there was little between the two sides.
There weren’t many chances in the game but a sustained spell of pressure in the first half resulted in what proved to be the only goal.
The Emley defence, missing the experience and know-how of the likes of Callum Charlton, Dom Riordan, James Knowles, Jamie Price, Danny Lowe and Antony Leech, conceded when a ball into the box eluded everyone by eventually fell for former Emley man Marley Grant whose shot was deflected inside the near post.
Emley then dominated the half, as they did most of the game, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough or the luck or the bounce of the ball.
George Doyle had a couple of decent efforts on goal before half-time but it didn’t look like Emley’s day.
After the break, with the rain lashing down around the Welfare Ground and the Emley supporters huddled in the shed end, the home side dominated most of the second half but it remained a frustrating afternoon.
Emley gave it everything with Man of the Match Donae Lawrence impressive again, despite playing at the back. He was pushed forward late in the game but couldn’t find the key to unlock the Staveley defence.
Staveley to their credit held on and Emley just couldn’t find the breakthrough to force a late equaliser despite lots of pressure and possession and look to bounce back next week with a tough trip to Eccleshill at Bradford.
