Match Reports - v Yorkshire Amateur Away Date:02.01.12

Emley played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Yorkshire Amateur in their first game of the new year which elevated them to 10th in the NCEL First Division.

Emley boss Darren Hepworth named the same starting XI that had defeated Hemsworth on Boxing Day and they again got off to a strong start putting their hosts under pressure from the outset.

Scott Holt had went close for Emley in the opening second minute but hit his shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat. His side were in front soon after home defender Wayne Hudson turned a David Heagney cross in past his own keeper on 8 minutes.

Heagney had another chance soon after as he sprung the offside trap before showing good control to latch onto a high ball over the top but was denied by the keeper Josh Proctor who made the first of a string of good saves.

Ammers responded with long range shots from former Town trialist Nathan Thomas and Justin Bowler but neither troubled Emley’s Neal May.

Heagney saw his header from a Holt set piece deflect over the bar to safety following a well timed intervention from a home defender. He also had a close range effort saved by Proctor when a pass to Holt might have been more fruitful as Emley failed to capitalise on their dominance.

The home team were forced to take off Thomas midway through the half through illness, replacing him with the powerful Dennis Katoro and with this came more attacking threat.

Emley had a let off when Jamie Hainsworth headed a corner goalwards but his shot was blocked by Max Joice on the line. They were punished soon after in the 29th minute from another corner as Kyle Collins latched onto a flicked header to stab the ball home.

Brad Dowling forced another fine save from Proctor with a powerful hit on the half volley, the rebound fell back to Dowling who lofted the ball towards the far right hand corner but Proctor saved courageously, colliding with the post for his efforts.

The man of the moment Proctor was again called upon to stop a 30 yard free kick from Heagney and held firm with Sean Hazelden lurking to tuck away the rebound. Holt was also thwarted when 1 on 1 with the home keeper as the sides went in level at half time.

The Ammers keeper was in similarly inspired form in the second half whilst his teammates upped their game sensing a chance to upset Emley. They did hold much more of the possession but again it was Emley who possessed the greater threat going forward.

Proctor made a good claim from at the feet of Heagney in the opening stages of the half. Then an intelligent ball from Emley’s leading scorer fed Stephen Powell who drilled a cross to Holt but he was again denied by the keeper.

Collins was Ammers biggest threat, showing a good turn of pace down the right flank and could have tested Emley more with better service from his colleagues. He did make a good break into the box but May came out well to smother the ball at his feet.

Katoro tried his luck from distance after spotting May slightly off his line but his shot sailed over and Jayde Ibrahim split the Emley defence with a ball to Freddie Swayles but he fired straight at May.

There was also plenty of action at the other end of the field with the bulk of Emley’s chances falling to Heagney who had a header saved by Proctor, fired into the side netting and was also denied by a fine last ditch tackle by Glen O’Gara.

Emley had two calls for penalties waved away by referee Cedric Duval, firstly as Heagney appeared to have been fouled in the box, then for a handball in the final stages, on another day both decisions could have gone in Emley’s favour.

Joice also came close after Heagney knocked down a corner into his path but he lashed his shot just wide of the post.

Collins looked like he had sealed all three points for the home team after dispossessing Judd Colley then racing into the box. His well struck shot had May well beaten but had a fraction too much power and deflected to safety off the bar.

Emley did have the ball in the net in the final minute of the game as Heagney capped a fine flowing move but the referee’s assistant Jon Wozniak had ruled him offside.

The home side look a much more organised unit from the one that Emley defeated comfortably earlier in the season. The visitors will be disappointed to have left with a single point from this game after the glut of chances that they created but came up against a goalkeeper in top form. Had Collins’ effort in the dying stages gone in then they could have gone away empty handed so Darren Hepworth will no doubt be philosophical about his side’s performance.

Emley:
May, Brock, Joice, Hazelden, Colley, Wdowczyk, Stuart (Cyrus 60), S Powell (Tayo 60), Heagney, Holt, Dowling (Roberts 76).
Subs (not used): Banton, Lyness. Emley Man of the Match: Max Joice.
Cautions: Cyrus, Colley.