After an impressive start to their season, Emley faces two crucial away fixtures that will test their strength at the top of the Northern Premier League, Division One East table. First up is a trip to 19th-placed Bishop Auckland on Saturday, followed by a tough midweek clash against Pontefract Collieries, a team with playoff aspirations.

Manager Richard Tracey acknowledges the unique threat posed by Bishop Auckland, a newly promoted side from the Northern League. “They won the Northern League last year, so they’re coming into this division at the same time as us. We don’t know a huge amount about them yet, but I’ll be gathering information before the game,” Tracey explained.

Bishop Auckland, despite their lower league position, play an attractive and open style of football: “They play total football and have a unique style. They'll play good football and take chances. They are a threat going forward, but with that style comes the possibility of hurting themselves too,” said Tracey. While Bishop Auckland has shown they can score freely, their defense has been vulnerable, often conceding late goals: “If they start positively, it isn't over, because other teams have managed to eventually beat them,” he added.

After Bishop Auckland, Emley faces a more physical test against Pontefract Collieries, a team that reached the playoffs last season and remains ambitious despite a managerial change. Tracey anticipates a different kind of challenge against Pontefract: “They’re a very hard-working and direct team. They've got a player who can throw the ball into the box from anywhere in our half, and they’ll use that tactic to put us under pressure physically and aerially.”

Pontefract’s squad boasts experience and strength, especially in midfield and defense: “They’ve got some very good players in their midfield, and they are big and strong at the back. They’ll be hoping to be up there again come the end of the season,” Tracey said. With Pontefract known for their resilience and high-energy style, Emley will need to be well-prepared to cope with the physical demands of the game.

Emley’s confidence will be boosted by their commanding 3-0 victory over unbeaten Dinnington Town in the first round of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup. The Pewits, mixing youth and experience, were too strong for the Central Midlands Premier Division North leaders.

Darnell Mintus opened the scoring in the first half, and skipper Alex Metcalfe doubled the lead early in the second half, with Calligan providing a fine assist. Malumo, who made his debut in the recent FA Trophy loss, scored his first goal for the club to seal the win.

Reflecting on the win, Richard Tracey praised the performance of his squad despite ongoing injury problems: “It was the hardest squad to put together that I think we've ever had the misfortune of trying to pick,” he revealed. However, the game also provided an opportunity for young players to make their mark: “A number of academy players made a big impression, which was fantastic to see. We also got some minutes into some of the lads.”

Tracey was particularly impressed with the attacking trio’s performance: “I thought the front three were a real handful against Dinnington.” Despite Dinnington’s unbeaten record, Emley dominated the game, sending a strong message ahead of their upcoming league fixtures.

Emley’s FA Trophy journey ended last week with a 3-0 defeat to Newton Aycliffe, a result that snapped their three-game winning streak. The Pewits, struggling with injuries, had to reshuffle their squad, and Newton Aycliffe took full advantage.

Reflecting on the loss, Tracey admitted: “I think it was a fair scoreline. I think the best team won. For 30 minutes we were good, but we again had people out injured, and that game came upon us a bit too fast to get some back playing.”

Despite the defeat, Tracey emphasised that the performance was not a reflection of their usual standards: “We were disappointed with the performance because it was not representative of what we've been like all year. However, I totally understand why and how stretched we were on the night.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Tracey is optimistic about Emley’s chances to continue competing at the top of the table. With key players returning from injury and young talent stepping up, the squad remains confident as they head into a busy period of fixtures.

As Emley prepares for their matches against Bishop Auckland and Pontefract Collieries, they will aim to build on the positives from their recent cup win and learn from their FA Trophy defeat, determined to continue their push for success in both the league and cup competitions.