Nathan Curtis set the seal on a 3-0 victory at Silsden as Emley AFC moved to within two points of top spot in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Curtis scored a superb third as the Pewits closed in on leaders Campion with two games in hand.
Emley were already two goals to the good and in control when Curtis picked up the ball on the edge of the box, breezed past two defenders and unleashed a curling left foot shot from 20 yards out which pinged in off the bar.
Emley went ahead in the 8th minute when defender Sam Pashley pounced at the back post from Ross Hardaker’s corner. The keeper’s shout to claim the ball meant his defenders remained rooted with Pashley the first to react.
Emley doubled their lead just after the half hour mark through what could kindly be called a defensive mix up. The centre backs assumed a long ball forward was heading through to their goalkeeper. It didn’t.
Iyrwah Gooden was first to the 50/50 ball to leave Kyle Trenerry clutching at thin air. He could only look on helplessly as the Emley forward walked the ball into the unguarded net.
Gooden could have been challenging Curtis for the day’s sweetest strike award but, after beating the full-back all ends up, cutting inside and unleashing his effort past Trenerry the sound of ball on post and oohs and aahs from the crowd meant the score remained 2-0 at the break – despite Hardaker and the industrious Ruben Jerome also going close.
Silsden’s best spell of the game came in the opening period of the second half as they came back out with more intent. Unfortunately for them, that intent came up against a yellow brick wall in the shape of captain James Knowles and Man of the Match Jack Cowgill.
The moment of the match came in the 67th minute. Emley were patient in the build-up as play was switched from right to left and back again. That was when Curtis decided to dispense with any more restraint and let loose his rocket into the top left corner.
Routine would be too strong a word as Emley’s 10th league game without defeat was one of control mixed with grit. Against another promotion contender it was also as sweet as that Curtis strike.
Emley’s next game is at Bottesford Town on Tuesday November 7 (7.45).
