By Martin Eastwood
A bumper crowd of 732 saw Emley AFC’s 15-match unbeaten run in the league ended by leaders North Ferriby at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.
North Ferriby won 3-1 to complete a league double over second-placed Emley and go nine points clear at the top. The Pewits only other defeat in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division this season was at North Ferriby on the opening day.
It was the visitors from East Yorkshire who started the better, and they took the lead in the 10th minute. A long throw into the Emley area was headed in by Niall Tillsley.
The Pewits levelled the 18th minute. Emley’s Donae Lawrence recycled a header into the area, the North Ferriby defence couldn’t clear the ball and Rikki Paylor was in the right spot to rifle home in front of the delighted Emley fans.
It remained 1-1 at the break and as the second half went on it seemed both teams would happily settle for a point. However, the deadlock was broken in the 72nd minute when a long throw was headed home by Oliver Donald.
Emley looked to hit back and Alex Metcalfe tried a spectacular overhead kick which went wide and Lawrence had a header off target.
As Emley chased the game deep into stoppage time, the ball was played into North Ferriby’s Danny Clarke who calmly slotted home past keeper Dec Lambton to seal the points and end the game 3-1.
Emley are next in action on Wednesday November 30 when they travel to Staveley Miners Welfare in the League Cup.
Pictures from Emley photographer MARK PARSONS
