By Martin Eastwood
Emley held off the late, late challenge of Grimsby Borough to claim a first league double of the season.
Goals from Isaac Baldwin and Luke Parkin secured a 2-1 win at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground which kept Emley in touch with leaders Cleethorpes Town at the top of the Northern Premier League Division One East table.
Emley were fairly comfortable in the game for 86 minutes but had to weather late pressure to hold on for the three points.
The gusty wind made good football impossible and the conditions played a part in Emley’s opener just before the half hour.
Grimsby failed to clear an Emley attack and Alex Metcalfe thumped a shot goalwards but the keeper parried it out for a corner.
From a third successive corner – and direct from the flagkick – Baldwin curled in towards the far post and the ball swung viciously, clipping the post on the way in to the delight of the Emley faithful. Emley had the advantage of the wind and Baldwin almost repeated the trick five minutes later.
Emley had to battle the elements in the second half with keeper Dec Lambton seeing his goalkicks blowing back towards him and out for corners!
Following Emley’s best attacking sequence of the game, the home side doubled the lead when Parkin struck in the 52nd minute.
Amir Berchil beat the full-back and sent over a delightful cross for Parkin to bury at the back post.
The wind and driving rain then took control but late on the conditions eased and Grimsby pulled one back four minutes from time with a shot from distance by Scott Fenwick.
Grimsby finished the game strongly and even sent their keeper forward in stoppage time but Emley managed to hold out.
Emley take on Stocksbridge Park Steels at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Boxing Day (3.00).
