Emley AFC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Newton Aycliffe at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, climbing to third place in the Northern Premier League Division One East table. This impressive win also marked Emley’s first home clean sheet since October.

The game began with both teams evenly matched, as Emley sought to capitalise on early possession. Despite promising efforts from players such as Amir Berchil, the first half ended goalless.

Newton Aycliffe came out strongly in the second half, but Emley’s defence stood firm. The deadlock was broken in the 61st minute when Berchil showcased his skill, weaving past defenders to slot home the opening goal.

This set the stage for Emley to dominate. Luke Parkin doubled the lead in the 75th minute with a well taken penalty, and Laurence Sorhaindo added a third just three minutes later with a composed finish. The Pewits maintained control in the closing stages, securing their second consecutive home league win.

The result extends Emley’s play off cushion to five points over Newton Aycliffe and keeps them in contention for promotion. Fans at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground were treated to a thrilling performance as the Pewits continue to build momentum.

Speaking after the match, manager Richard Tracey praised his team’s performance and the resilience of the pitch amidst concerns about the weather

He said: “We were delighted the game went ahead despite the weather concerns. The pitch held up better than expected, and it was brilliant to get a fantastic result.

“The first half was tight, with both teams having opportunities, but the second half was where we really took control.

“Amir’s goal came at a crucial time, and the team showed great composure to build on that lead and see the game out. This was one of our better performances recently. The timing of the first goal was perfect, and we managed the game superbly after that.”

Emley AFC now turn their attention to an away fixture against North Ferriby on Saturday, 11th January, at 3:00 pm. The Pewits will look to extend their strong away record and keep pace with the league’s top two teams.

This will be Emley’s second visit to The Dransfield Stadium in the 21st century. Historically, encounters between the original Emley and North Ferriby United were frequent. The modern clubs have met four times, with North Ferriby edging Emley 2-1 earlier this season.

North Ferriby come into the game in mixed form, losing three of their last six matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Sherwood Colliery. Emley, on the other hand, have won back to back games, including their latest 3-0 triumph.

Previewing the clash, Tracey said: “North Ferriby are a strong side with experienced players and a solid setup. It’ll be another tough test for us. They have certain threats that we are aware of and have prepared to handle. We are going into the game with confidence.

“Being third in the league at this stage is a testament to the hard work of everyone at the club. Our goal remains to secure our place in this league, but we’re enjoying competing with the top teams. This season is about learning and adapting. We’ve exceeded expectations so far, but there’s still a long way to go.

“The focus remains on consistency and staying in the mix. A bad run of form can quickly change things, so we’re taking it one game at a time. The squad has shown great character, and we’re confident we can compete with anyone in this league.”

The club has bolstered its squad with the addition of Adam Porritt, a versatile player capable of operating as a right-back, centre back, or midfielder. Having played in non-league for the past few seasons, Porritt was once a Huddersfield Town Academy graduate.

Tracey expressed his delight at Porritt’s signing: “We’re thrilled to have Adam Porritt. He’s a versatile and experienced player, and his addition strengthens the squad.”

In terms of injuries, Tracey reported minimal concerns: “Injuries are minimal at the moment, which is a huge boost. We’re looking forward to having a full squad available for the coming games.”

With momentum building and the play off race heating up, Emley AFC’s journey continues to captivate fans as they push for promotion.