By Martin Eastwood
Late goals from Nathan Curtis and Ross Hardaker saw Emley AFC beat Liversedge 2-0 at Clayborn but keeper Dec Lambton was Man of the Match.
Lambton made crucial saves throughout the game to give Emley a platform for another three points, which continues their unbeaten start to the season.
It was a stop-start contest and Emley showed great character towards the end to ensure a clean sheet, not helped by the late dismissal of Donae Lawrence for a second yellow card.
There were few chances in the first half but the best fell to Chinedu Osadebe for Liversedge. He came inside on his left foot but ballooned over the bar, much to Emley’s relief.
Emley had a good chance just before half-time when Amir Berchil left a defender stranded only for his shot to be blocked. Debutant Kielen Adams was thwarted from the rebound and Curtis went down amid fruitless appeals for a penalty.
Three minutes after the re-start Emley could have broken the deadlock when Berchil was sent sprawling in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Berchil stepped up himself but his shot was brilliantly saved by Jake Oram.
Liversedge had a spell in control as the game wore on but Lambton and his defence held firm.
Emley made changes bringing on Alex Metcalfe and Hardaker and both made an impact. Curtis went close before giving Emley the lead in the 75th minute.
Metcalfe, impressive since his introduction, received possession on the left, looked up and pinged a beautiful crossfield ball into the path of Curtis who remained calm and slotted the ball past Oram.
Lambton was forced into a good save two minutes later as Sedge launched an attack, getting down low to smother a decent shot.
Hardaker was well involved in the last few minutes and following his superb corner from the right, Curtis flashed a header just wide, but it wouldn’t be Hardaker’s most important contribution, a minute later, Curtis again on the end of a cross, this time from Berchil but the keeper saved.
With two minutes of normal time left, Emley wrapped up the points with a second cracking strike.
Hardaker was initially involved on the left, the ball wasn’t cleared and it somehow found its way back to Hardaker in the inside right position. He took a touch and then curled a super shot beyond Oram to the delight of Emley’s travelling fans.
With the game almost won and into added time, it was down to Emley’s defence to see the game out, and aided by a dominant Lambton, they did just that, despite Lawrence being shown a red card.
Lambton clinched the Man of the Match award with a sensational late save to deny the hosts a consolation.
Emley have another local derby on Tuesday (September 17) when Brighouse Town come to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground (7.45).
The original game was abandoned due to an injury to a player so admission on Tuesday has free entry for all.
Image by: MARK PARSONS
