Match Reports - v Albion Sports Away Date:31.08.11

Albion Sports 2-1 AFC Emley. NCEL Division One (31/08/11)

Emley were made to pay for defensive slip ups at the start of each half as they went down 2-1 at league newcomers Albion Sports. A second half fightback was not enough to secure Darren Hepworth’s side a much needed point.

Albion took the lead with just over 1 minute on the clock as Paul Helliwell looped in a cross which was converted at the far post at the second attempt by Tony Vento. Minutes later Helliwell created a great opportunity to for Vento’s strike partner Jordan Missin, chipping the ball over the Emley defence. Missin’s effort evaded the Emley keeper Lewis Rhodes but hit the bar and fell to safety.

In a similar fashion to many of Emley’s other performances this season they took a long time to get going to make a significant impact on the game. David Heagney had their first chance of note with a long range effort which sailed over the bar. Heagney also combined well with Curtis Roberts to release Marc Townsend but Townsend’s return cross just evaded Heagney.

At the other end of the field Judd Colley made a vital block on Missin to deny a goalbound effort. Soon after Missin found himself in space with a free header and only Rhodes to beat but failed to hit the target.

Emley ended the half strongest as Colley made his presence felt at the other end of the field. John Cyrus did well bring down a free kick from the Emley captain before laying the ball off to Heagney whose goalbound effort was denied by a vital block. Colley also saw a good strike deflected to safety as he picked up on a loose ball from a Heagney corner.

Once again Emley stuttered at the start of the second half. Rhodes was called upon to make a brave save colliding headfirst into the post as he forced the ball out for a corner. After a spell of treatment to the keeper Albion extended their lead on 49 minutes with Jack Lawler flicking on the resulting corner to ex Bradford City man Joe Brown who directed the ball home from close range with his knee.

It took until this point to jolt Emley into playing the kind of football that served them so well last season as they finally fought their way back into the game. Heagney twisted and turned to find some space and delivered a ball through to Roberts who fired just over.

Hepworth replaced Mick Amos and Mark Stuart with Josh Ingham and Scott Holt and the move brought a greater directness to his sides play. Emley’s goal came on 62 minutes after good work by Holt he released the ball to Roberts whose cross found Heagney to slot home for his 5th goal in 6 games.

Holt might have put Emley level soon after as his well hit free kick took a slight deflection but Aaron Brian made a good save to push the ball round the post. Brian was again on hand to palm a well hit shot by Heagney round the same upright as the striker showed good control to hold off the Albion defence.

Emley continued to pile on the pressure with Albion limited to a handful of attacks on the break. Roberts and Heagney combined to release Ingham but Albion were again thankful for a Brian save. In the final moments of the game Heagney had a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area with Emley again going home without a point to show for their efforts.

With no game on Saturday Emley’s next opportunity to get things back on track is on Tuesday evening when they entertain Yorkshire Amateur at the Welfare Ground.

Emley:
Rhodes, Arundel, Tayo, Cyrus, Colley, Leech, Stuart (Ingham 55), Townsend (Armitage 73), Heagney, Amos (Holt 55), Roberts.

Emley Man of the Match: David Heagney. Bookings: Tayo. Att: 101.