It was all about the celebrations rather than the result as Emley AFC lifted the Northern Counties East League Premier Division trophy.
More than 600 fans packed the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground to hail the champions in the final home game of the league season.
It was all about the occasion and not the result, though honours ended even in the HD postcode ‘derby’ against Golcar United.
The Weavers welcomed the champions onto the field with a guard of honour but did their best to spoil the party, twice going ahead through former Emley striker George Doyle.
Doyle’s penalty gave Golcar a 1-0 half-time lead but James Walshaw fired Emley level within a minute of the restart.
Golcar hit straight back through Doyle but Emley levelled it at 2-2 after great work from Alex Metcalfe left Iyrwah Gooden to smash a loose ball into the net.
Emley thought they had fashioned a winner late on, a great ball found Gooden who beat the cover, and flashed a shot past the post.
They had a great chance to then snatch all three points but the league’s top scorer Ruben Jerome lifted a chip just wide as the keeper was beaten.
It was then a case of seeing the game out as both teams would be happy with a point, and Emley’s home league season was over, but not before the NCEL Premier Division trophy was lifted, the Emley celebrations could begin and would carry on well into the night.
The season isn’t quite over yet though, a trip to Pickering Town on Tuesday (April 9) is the final act for the champions, who then resume their quest for a league and cup double as Bottesford Town are the visitors in the league cup quarter final on Saturday April 13.
Saturday, though, was all about Emley and the celebrations.
Words by: Martin Eastwood
Images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
