Emley and Golcar turned in a 6 goal thriller in a classic Huddersfield derby at a drenched Sky Direct Stadium.

In a game that saw the lead swing one way then another and with late drama, with a bit of an edge to the game too, it was great entertainment for the near 700 crowd.

It also meant both teams’ unbeaten records still stand, for Emley, it’s 11 unbeaten going into Saturday’s crucial game against Winterton Rangers, which could decided a second promotion spot.

Emley kicked off in driving, swirling rain, rain that never let up once throughout the game, but it was Golcar who had the first attack, Emley conceding a corner in the first minute, but it was cleared.

The game soon became a battle with both teams trying to adapt to the conditions, Emley tried playing around and down the flanks, Golcar, more direct, hitting long balls for Kayle Price to chase, but the Emley rear guard stayed in control.

It was Emley who had the first real attempt at goal, Joe Kenny firing over from a neat Clegg lay off.

Golcar enjoyed a spell of pressure on the Emley defence which led to the game’s first goal, Price found room for a shot which took a very fortunate deflection of a yellow shirted Emley defender and looped over Dec Lambton.

Dom Riordan hobbled off to be replaced by Sam Pashley at the heart of Emley’s defence.

2 minutes later and Emley were relieved to see another attack end with a shot that went wide.

But then The Pewits started to enjoy a spell on top, a lovely ball from Gooden from the left found Metcalfe but his shot went agonisingly wide.
However, Emley fans wouldn’t have long to wait before they could cheer and equaliser and what an equaliser! right back Steve Smith picked the ball up just over halfway and proceeded to head towards the Golcar area when he suddenly let fly with a left foot fizzer which beat the keeper and rolled into the bottom corner.

All square, but not for long, a free kick which looked harsh on Emley was floated in for Dan Naidole to get a header which beat Lambton, Emley were level for 2 minutes.

But they were soon back on the front foot, Walker, teasing the toying with the defenders had a shot blocked, Gooden flashed a ball across the area just past the reach of Clegg and Walker then cut inside and hammered a shot wide as the half came to a close.

H/T GOLCAR 2-1 EMLEY

The second half saw another Emley change with Donae Lawrence replacing Junayd Cassius-Gill and Lawrence was straight into the action, forcing a corner which was cleared by the home defence, Lawrence then found himself with a decent chance, but ex Emley keeper Stead saved.

Emley were really piling on the pressure at the start of the half, Golcar just about hanging on, Gooden pulled a shot wide and then Paul Walker also had a great chance to draw level when he was put through, but he couldn’t sort his feet out in time and Stead again saved Golcar.

But he was powerless on the hour as Emley finally found their equaliser, brilliant play by Iyrwah Gooden on the left saw the ball moved into Paul Walker on the right, he took a touch on his right, and smashed a shot beyond Stead into the corner and the Pewits were back in it.

Emley were now looking to take the lead, Walker again involved, but his cross was too far wide for anyone to make contact, Emley were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, Walker stepped up and fired it goalwards but a Golcar toe deflected it for a corner, that corner was only partly cleared, recycled from the right and met with a downward header at the back post by Sam Pashley which crept past Stead and into the net.
The soaked Emley fans down that end celebrated with the bench and the players, they had turned it around!

Emley then looked to hold or add to their lead, but Golcar made changes and it seemed to spur them on, Emley were relieved to see a shot from a dangerous position fly well wide of the nets.

But then with 5 minutes later came the drama, Golcar thought they’d equalised when Lambton pulled off a fantastic close range save but from the resulting corner former Pewit Danny Naidole bagged his second of the night and it was the home teams turn to celebrate.

Both sides looked for a winner, Emley had their chance when Donae Lawrence played a ball into Joe Kenny who blasted wide, Metcalfe then did the same a minute or so later.

In the final minute Golcar had a penalty shout turned down much to the dismay of their fans behind that goal.

But in all fairness, both sides will be happy with a point on a tricky pitch and dreadful weather.

They meet again next month in the league cup semi-final, but for now the spoils are shared once again in the HD derby.

Winterton are the visitors on Saturday as Emley look to pull to within a point of their top 2 rival.

F/T GOLCAR 3-3 EMLEY

ATTENDANCE- 672
EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe ©, Riordan, Paylor, Cassius-Gill, Kenny, Gooden, Clegg, Walker; Subs used- Pashley, Lawrence; Unused- J. Kelly, Eyles, Charlton.
GOALS- Smith (’28) Walker (’60), Pashley (’73)
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Steve Smith