Match Reports - v Teversal Away Date:27.08.11
Teversal 0-2 AFC Emley. NCEL Division One (27/08/11)
Emley got back to winning ways with a competent 2-0 win at Teversal. After a fairly uninspiring first half where neither side created many chances Emley stepped it up a gear in the second half and were full value for their win.
Darren Hepworth was forced to reshuffle his side with Sean Hazelden, Josh Ingham and Scott Holt unavailable and John Cyrus injured. The manager opted to play 5 across the middle with Matt Kilner playing as a lone striker and David Heagney in a deeper role.
There were few chances of note in the early stages of the game, Heagney and Colin Cockerill delivered dangerous set pieces for their respective sides but neither managed neither set of teammates were able to apply a decent contact to turn the ball over the line.
Jeremy Mitchell looked the most dangerous outlet for the home side carving a path through the Emley defence but his final shot was off target. Soon after he had the ball in the net after a neat move involving Greg Tobin and Mark Robinson but his header was from an offside position.
Emley responded with a testing ball from out wide by Mark Townsend which was diverted onto the roof of the net by a relieved Cockerill. A defence splitting pass by Curtis Roberts set Jamie Arundel free on the right with the 16 year old defender showing good control to deliver a testing cross but Townsend was unable to convert the chance.
In truth neither side’s keeper had a lot to trouble them in the first half but this was soon to change in after half time as Emley took the game to their hosts.
The breakthrough goal came on 49 minutes with Arundel getting round the back of the Tevie defence to put a low cross into the 6 yard box. Curtis Roberts had a stab at the ball but was blocked on the line before Mick Amos eventually converted the rebound.
The goal inspired Emley and ignited some much needed excitement into the game. Curtis Roberts had a great chance to double the lead after Heagney whipped in a cross but sliced his shot with the ball falling to into the hands of the Teversal keeper Scot Margereson. Minutes later Roberts had a better effort at goal from distance forcing a good save from Margereson.
Mark Robinson forced the first save of the game from Emley’s Lewis Rhodes with a decent curling effort before Roberts lead another Emley raid cutting in from the left to hook the ball to Amos who drilled a rising shot just wide of the top right hand corner.
Emley’s defence looked more solid than in recent games and Arundel had a stand out game at right back making some well time challenges and showing maturity beyond his years. The youngster was on hand to make a vital block in goalmouth melee after Rhodes had got his fingertips to a goal bound effort.
Meanwhile Teversal looked to find a way back into the game, Sam Dickins fired the ball into the side netting before Ryan Atkins blasted over wasting a gilt edged chance when through on goals.
Hepworth introduced Steve Richards from the bench for the final 20 minutes but his debut was to be shortlived, limping off with a badly gashed ankle after being on the park less than five minutes.
Richards’ replacement Brad Dowling was the creator of Emley’s second goal on 87 minutes hitting a cross from the left wing which Amos intelligently allowed to run through to Heagney who took a couple of touches before calmly slotting home.
Emley might have grabbed further goals late on as both Gav Armitage and Mark Townsend went close but at the end of the day will be happy to have recorded a win and kept a clean sheet after conceding 8 goals in their last two games.
On Wednesday evening they travel to league new boys Albion Sports who share Bradford Park Avenue’s Horsfall Stadium.
Emley:
Rhodes, Arundel, Tayo, Stuart, Colley, Leech, Amos, Towsnend, Kilner (Richards 70(Dowling 75), Heagney, Roberts (Armitage 75).
Sub not used: Clarke Att: 66 Emley Man of the Match: Jamie Arundel
Match Photo's.
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