Emley AFC lose out to title favourites Cleethorpes Town in battle of the top two

By Martin Eastwood

Emley AFC were knocked off the top of the Northern Premier League Division 1 East by title favourites Cleethorpes Town.

The Pewits went down 3-0 at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday night as they came off second best in a battle of the top two.

Cleethorpes were ruthless and efficient and comfortably ended Emley’s six-match unbeaten run.

Sam Parkin fired over early on for Emley before Joe Kenny’s effort from the edge of the box cannoned back off the bar, while Dec Lambton was needed at the other end.

A smart move broke the deadlock in the 21^st minute when the ball was moved around quickly leaving a gap in the Emley defence and Adam Haw fired in off the post.

Emley were still in the game at 1-0 at the break and just when it seemed the home side might get the goal they needed, they were hit with a second in the 55^th minute, Josh Walker finishing off from the middle of the area.

Emley didn’t give up but they couldn’t find a cutting edge and Aaron Braithwaite made it 3-0 in the 74^th minute, and there was no way back.

There was a minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of former Emley committee man and groundsman Raymond Chappell.

Emley go to Heaton Stannington in Newcastle on Saturday November 2.

Gallery of images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE