Emley AFC suffered their first away defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss to Cleethorpes Town. Cleethorpes scored in the 27th minute following a defensive lapse and secured the win with a second goal in the 81st minute. Emley created several chances, including hitting the post early in the second half, but were unable to convert. Goalkeeper Lambton made crucial saves to keep Emley in the game, but the Pewits couldn’t find a way back.

The loss brought an end to Emley’s impressive unbeaten run on the road, though the team’s determination remains evident as they aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.

Manager Richard Tracey reflected on the match:
"It was a tough game, a really tough night for us. The pitch was heavy in areas and firmer in others, but it was a challenging surface overall. Honestly, if there had been rain that night, I think the game might have been called off. The conditions made it difficult to play with any real quality, and it ended up being a scrappy match.

"I thought the first 20 minutes were pretty even. Both teams had their moments, but they got a bit of luck with their first goal. It’s not the kind of goal we normally concede – a long kick, they win the first and second balls, and then slide in a runner. Our keeper made a great save, but the rebound fell to their lad who hit the post, and it just rolled over the line. It was frustrating, but that’s football sometimes.

"We huffed and puffed, but it was hard to get the ball out of the mud and play with any fluidity. Despite that, the lads worked hard, and I thought we started the second half brilliantly. We had a 10 to 15-minute spell where we were clearly on top, rattled them a bit, and hit the post with a deflection. We also had a free header from a corner that was going in until it took a slight deflection onto the post and into the keeper’s arms. It felt like we just didn’t get the rub of the green.

"After our strong spell early in the second half, they weathered it and used their experience to manage the game. They nicked a second goal with about ten minutes to go, and that pretty much killed the game off.

"Despite the result, there were positives. Belchior Rodrigues, on his first start, was a real positive for us, and Harry Sheppeard played well too. No one had a bad game, but the pitch made it hard for anyone to perform at their best level. The players worked incredibly hard, defending against everything Cleethorpes threw at us – long throws, set-pieces, and constant questions being asked of us.

"We’re still in a strong position. Of course, we wanted to be top going into Christmas, but Cleethorpes know their pitch better than us and played it better on the night. Even so, we’re second in the league, and teams need to win their games to catch us. We’re learning a lot about this level, both as players and staff, and we’ll take this halfway point as an opportunity to reevaluate and build on the positive start we’ve had."

Emley AFC will host Grimsby Borough today, Saturday 21 December, in our first match of the festive period. The Pewits are looking to bounce back from their defeat to secure their first league double of the season after beating Grimsby 1-0 in August.

Tracey previewed the match: "It’s great to have two home games over Christmas. Playing at home is always a boost for the lads, and we’re looking forward to starting with Grimsby Borough. It’s the first of four big games during this Christmas period, and we’re focused on getting off to a positive start.

"Grimsby are a good side. We’ve played them already this season, so we’ve got a bit of an idea of what to expect. That first game of the season was also our first game at this level, and I thought for long spells we were the better side and looked much more of a threat. But they really threw everything at us in the last 15 minutes, and we had to defend brilliantly to make sure we got those first three points on the board."

The Christmas period continues with a Boxing Day derby against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Stocksbridge currently sit in the playoff spots alongside Emley, making the match a key contest in the league table.

Tracey acknowledged the challenge: "Stocksbridge are a strong side and currently in the playoff places with us, sitting at the bottom of that playoff block. They’re a really good team, and they’re highly rated around the league. Ian Richards has done a fantastic job with them. He’s rebuilt the side after losing players to higher levels and to clubs offering more money, and he’s done it brilliantly. It’s clear they’ll see this as a massive game for their playoff hopes.

"It’s a local derby, so there’s more at stake than just points. Stocksbridge will want the bragging rights, and they’ve got players who can mix it up and make it a tough game for us. We’re expecting a real battle, but we’ll be ready to meet that challenge and assert ourselves."

Tracey provided an update on the squad:
"There’s no major news on injuries or changes to the squad. We’re happy with what we’ve got, and we’re aware that over the Christmas period, there might be some unavailability, but that’s not the case for this Saturday. We’re not actively looking to bring anyone in unless it’s the right fit for the club and helps us move forward.

"It’s been great to see Belchior Rodrigues settling in; we started him last Friday, and we were really pleased with his performance. We’ve lost a few players to other clubs where they wanted more game time, so there’s scope for us to bring in competition, but it has to be the right decision."

On injuries, Tracey added:
"Ross Hardaker is back available, and Donae Lawrence should return from his holiday, so we’ll have two more players in the squad. There are no significant issues beyond minor knocks, and although a few lads missed training earlier in the week with fevers, it looks like we’ve turned a corner there. Hopefully, everyone will be ready and available for the weekend."

Tracey concluded with a heartfelt message to Emley supporters:
"I just want to say a big thank you to all the Emley fans for their incredible support throughout the year. Week in, week out, they turn out to back us, and it’s helped the club grow. Our fan base has grown, and we really appreciate the support they’ve given us.

"Looking back on 2024, it’s been a fantastic year for everyone involved with the club. We achieved our objective of winning the Northern Counties East League earlier this year, and now we’re competing at the top end of the table in the division above. It’s something everyone connected with the club – from Andrew, chairman, Marcus, vice chairman, to the volunteers and the fans – can be really proud of. So, thank you to everyone who has contributed. It’s been a year to remember, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come in 2025."