Emley still second despite blank run

AFC Emley are now three games without a victory as they were held to a goalless draw by fellow promotion rivals Hall Road Rangers at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

Despite coming away with only a point, Emley remain second in the Northern Counties East League Divison One, trailing leaders Pontefract Collieries by three points.

Emley still lead the chasing pack, but Hall Road Rangers and Penistone Church can climb above the Pewits if they win their games in hand.

There were chances for both sides and Hall Road almost took the lead inside the opening minute, however some incredible reflexes from Emley goalkeeper Graham McLachlan denied the hosts.

From the resulting corner, Hall Road smashed the post before the Emley defence managed to bundle the ball away.

Emley eventually eased themselves into the game and Ashley Scully came close, but his low driven effort was tipped away by Hall Road goalkeeper Phil Dobson.

Kieran Ryan should have put the visitors ahead when he latched onto Doran Jordan’s square ball, but the Emley forward blazed over the bar.

Chris Spinks then failed to capatalise on an open goal from close-range.

Spinks’ effort will surely go down as one of the misses of the season!

Emley looked for a late winner and they came close with Jordan Coduri’s curling effort.

However, they had to rely on McLachlan to save them from defeat in the closing stages as he parried away Tom Bennett’s low bending strike.

Emley have now failed to score in each of their last two fixtures, with top scorer Ashley Flynn still sidelined.

They face a trip to 17th-placed Rossington Main next Saturday.

Pontefract scored a 1-0 victory at Grimsby Borough thanks to a 43rdminute strike from Jamie Williams.

Penistone Church won 4-0 at home to Dronfield Town, with Duncan Richards, James Young, Andrew Ring and Dan Joynes on the scoresheet.

Nostell beat Selby 1-0.