Emley AFC’s cup exploits mean they have four games in hand on league leaders Campion but back-to-back home games in the NCEL mean they can close the gap starting this weekend.

The second-placed Pewits welcome Maltby Main to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday (November 25) hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions and cut the four-point gap at the top.

Then on Tuesday (November 28) they host play-off hopefuls Thackley as they bid to keep up the pressure.

After good runs in both the FA Cup and the FA Vase, Emley are also chasing glory in the NCEL League Cup and seeking to defend the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup which they won last season.

They beat SJR Worksop 11-0 in the senior cup last Saturday and on Tuesday a stoppage time equaliser from Alex Metcalfe saw them come from behind to draw 2-2 with Garforth Town in the League Cup, going through 4-3 on penalties.

Emley boss Richard Tracey is aiming to keep a grip on the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup. Image by: MARK PARSONS

For boss Richard Tracey the league – and promotion – is the priority so can the various cup competitions be a distraction?

“We want to be in all the competitions we can be so when I say I wouldn’t have lost sleep going out of the cup it’s not because I don’t care, it’s more about setting priorities,” said Tracey.

“We’ve already got a backlog of fixtures in the league and are four games behind Campion already.

“Sometimes cup games can be a hindrance but then equally we want to compete for every trophy out there.

“Would I rather have played the league games and got the points? Yes. Do I want to cram all the fixtures we have left into 10 days at the end of the season, just to catch up on points? No.

“We’re really conscious that we have to manage those competitions and we want to be in them. The cups are not the ultimate priority, the league is. But to put in professional performances in the cups and progress through them is fantastic.”

Emley welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday December 2 in the FA Vase third round.