By Martin Eastwood

Nathan Curtis scored the only goal as Emley AFC clinched a third successive league victory at Penistone Church.

Backed by the usual strong following, Emley were very quickly on top but strong defence from the hosts kept them at bay.

Iyrwah Gooden was already causing plenty of problems down Emley’s left, the keeper kept on his toes and Gooden was the architect of the game’s only goal after eight minutes.

His dancing feet again caused problems and after the Penistone defence could only clear to the edge of the box, the ball fell nicely for Curtis to fire home a beauty past the fully stretched keeper.

Now Emley had the early goal, they looked settled and looked to push for a second goal.

Gooden, cut in from the right and found a shot but the keeper saved, a succession of Emley corners were dealt with before the hosts finally got sight of the Emley goal.

First, a free kick was cleared by the Pewits’ defence, and then Dec Lambton had to get down low to make a couple of saves.

That was really only the hosts’ efforts on goal in the first half, although they did see a wayward short fly out of the ground!

It was mainly all Emley but they couldn’t build on their lead, Gooden, this time on the right, saw a shot from a tight angle strike the outside of the post and Paul Walker saw a goalbound shot deflected for a corner which was cleared up.

The second half was something of a battle of attrition as both teams struggled to gain the ascendancy. Lambton was called upon to make save as Penistone looked for an early equaliser.

Gooden saw a shot fly wide after a good move through the middle and Penistone also had a shot go wide but chances were at a premium.

James Walshaw somehow found space to get a shot away which was saved and then Alex Metcalfe saw a chance go past as his well struck shot was turned behind for a corner.

Lambton had to be on his toes to keep Church from grabbing a equaliser, stopping a close range shot.

Penistone threw everything at Emley in the final few minutes but the defence stood firm to secure a third successive clean sheet in those three victories.

Next up is an away trip to Tadcaster on Saturday (October 14).

Image by: Mark Parsons