Barton Town 0 - 5 Emley AFC

Emley put their recent run of poor form behind them as they thrashed Barton Town 5-0 to get within touching distance of the NCEL Premier Division title.

3 straight defeats had threatened to derail Emley's brilliant season and on a ground where we have lost our last 2 games, 4-1 and 5-1, there was a fair bit of trepidation for the Emley fans who followed the team to the south bank of the Humber, but Emley were given a bit of a lift up by the home sides' ill discipline, 2 sin bins and a straight red didn't help their cause, but it certainly helped Emley.

There was little sign of things to come in a frustrating first half, Emley, as at Campion on Tuesday, huffed and puffed but just couldn't find a way through either the Barton defence or the strong wind whipping across the ground but they did start brightly, within a couple of minutes, Walshaw found himself with a half chance but his attempted chip over the keeper wasn't strong enough.

Gooden was starting to find a bit of space on the left and his run ended with a Barton player getting a deflection which home keeper Douglas had to scramble to make safe, Isaac Baldwin the found a bit of time and space for a run but his shot finished well wide.

Walshaw was involved again a few minutes later but his attempted cross-shot was blown away from goal by the strong wind as Baldwin looked to pounce, at the other end, The Swans managed to breach the Emley defence but the shot was wide and no threat to Petrovic's goal.

Baldwin had the best chance of the half so far when he connected with a lovely Gooden cross but couldn't get his header on target, Walshaw was caught late by a Barton midfielder, but the ref, who frustrated both teams throughout, deemed it not worthy of a yellow card, but was happy to show a yellow to the Emley bench a few moments later.

Petrovic was then called into action to save a firm header from a Barton free kick, back into Barton's half and first Baldwin, and then Haigh saw attempts miss the target as the half drew to a close with both sides slightly frustrated, this was the proverbial calm before the storm.

H/T- BARTON 0-0 EMLEY

If the first half was frustrating for Emley and their fans, the second half was the complete opposite, although Barton might feel aggrieved somewhat, the hosts started the half well, getting behind Emley on a couple of occasions and a dangerous free kick caused concern but the header was wide.

Then came the madness, with Emley looking to get on top, Gooden was causing problems down the left and his ball played in Hardaker who was clattered in the corner, within seconds, the referee heard something he didn't like from Barton's No.5 Papprill and flashed a straight red card, a minute later, their captain was also sent walking, but for a 10 minute cool down in the sin bin.

The hungry Pewits sniffed Swans blood and they swooped in in ruthless fashion to put the game to bed with 5 goals in a devastating 20 minute spell, Gooden was at the heart of most of the good things for Emley, teasing and tormenting the defence, it was his swerving shot which crashed off the bar which saw the defence all at sea, as the ball was recycled, it was picked up 25 yards out by Iyrwah Gooden again who slammed a shot home inside the near post and the league leaders were on their way.

2 minutes later and Gooden was denied as he crashed another shot goalwards but the keeper got a hand to it this time, it was only light relief for The Swans as a minute later, Emley would double their lead, after Pashley's shot was blocked for a corner, the ball reached Kenny who played it back out to Metcalfe who whipped in a dangerous ball from the left and the unfortunate keeper spilled the ball only onto the chest of James Walshaw who couldn't really get out of the way, not that Emley were complaining!

Right after the goal, Clegg came on to replace Tom Haigh in midfield, it was all Emley at this point, Barton were being run and pulled ragged by an Emley team who finally found their confidence again, the travelling army would be cheering again just 3 minutes later as the men in yellow got a 3rd goal in 9 minutes.

Metcalfe again with an assist as his work on the right this time created space for a shot, the keeper again spilled it, straight into the path of Iyrwah Gooden who lashed a lovely volley into the bottom corner, game over surely?

65 minutes in and Barton finally got out of their half again and launched an attack, the ball was played into the box and their striker went crashing down as he and Hardaker went for the ball, the ref didn't seem interested in giving anything but then the linesman flagged and a penalty was awarded to the amazement of most people watching, it seemed that Barton had got a way back into the game but they didn't count on Alex Petrovic who saved the spot kick superbly with his feet, a minute later and the hosts threatened again but the shot flew wide.

Emley, had seen enough and decided a 4th goal was in order to put a stop to this, and what a goal it was, after Baldwin was upended, the free kick was cleared but only as far as Metcalfe, again, who looked up and played a sublime ball to the far post where Ross Hardaker met it with an beautiful cushioned header back across and over the keeper and he took the accolades from the ultras who were serenading him.

They had only just finished their song before they were cheering again as Emley struck for a 5th time in 20 minutes, Gooden again created chaos down the left, jinking in and out of defenders, the ball was eventually hacked clear but only just outside the box where Joe Kenny was waiting to drill a low shot into the corner, Emley fans were in raptures, Barton were stunned.

Emley then made a raft of changes as they looked to see the game out, Walshaw, Metcalfe and Pashley were replaced by Curtis, Walker and Smith.

Emley still created chances though, Baldwin saw a shot saved after cutting in inside the area, Kenny tried his luck again but was thwarted and then Gooden almost completed a hat trick but his powerful shot was well saved by Douglas in the home nets.

Barton's lack of discipline then reared its head again, following a yellow card for a foul, their number 3 was this time sent to the bench to think about what he had just said to the referee, it was the second time Barton had to play with 9 men.

There wouldn't be any more major chances as Emley managed the final 15 minutes without any drama and deservedly took the points as we sealed our first win in 4 games, the win, coupled with Campion's draw on Friday means that Emley now just need 4 points to clinch the title, our next test is a home game against 5th placed Albion Sports on Tuesday.

F/T- BARTON TOWN 0-5 EMLEY

ATTENDANCE- 289

EMLEY- Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Cowgill, Barks, Haigh, Kenny, Walsahw, Gooden, Baldwin: Subs used- Clegg, Curtis, Walker, Smith: Unused- Jerome.

GOALS- Gooden (55' 64') Walshaw (60') Hardaker (73') Kenny (75')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Isaac Baldwin.