By Martin Eastwood
Emley returned from South Yorkshire with a well deserved point in their opening Northern Counties East League Premier Division fixture after a 0-0 draw with Maltby Main.
Despite Emley dominating large parts of the game, they had to earn their point with 10 men for most of it after a red card for Iyrwah Gooden before half-time.
Maltby had the better of the opening exchanges with a number of efforts just going past the Emley goal.
The Pewits, with four new signings in the starting eleven, began to get on top and soon tested Maltby keeper Levi Owen, who parried a fierce shot from new striker Ruben Jerome. Then a succession of corners ended with Sam Pashley heading just over.
Steve Smith saw a dipping long range effort go narrowly over before the keeper saved again from Will Norcross.
Emley’s hopes took a huge blow just before the break when Gooden was sent off after making a challenge which was deemed high and late.
With 10 men the Pewits gave it their best shot but keeper Owen was in confident mood, thwarting attacks and dominating his area.
Emley then had a great chance to snatch a goal, a powerful surge from Jerome saw him round the keeper but his shot was deflected for a corner from a last-gap Maltby challenge.
The visitors had one last chance to nick it when Emley were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Joe Clegg stepped up but again there was no way past Owen.
Emley now look forward to their first home game of the season when Garforth Town visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday (August 1) at 7.45.
