Emley came through a tough Kirklees derby at Liversedge with all 3 points to keep their unbeaten start to the league season intact.

It was far from a classic with the referee's whistle making it a stop-start contest and the game never really flowed but Emley showed tremendous character to build up a lead and then to hold on to it in the final few minutes when they had to play with 10 men following Donae Lawrence's dismissal.

On a sunny, warm day at Clayborn and in front of Liversedge's biggest crowd of the season, boosted by a terrific travelling support, the hosts had the better of the first half and really should have gone into the break at least a goal ahead but they were made to rue their chances.

The game was fairly even with not a lot of action at either end for the first 20 minutes or so, Liversedge tested Lambton with a free kick but he was able to catch safely, at the other end, Emley fashioned themselves a half chance as Berchil cut in from the left but his shot was wide.

Liversedge then had a really good chance to draw first blood but Harry Sheppeard was on hand to clear off the line when the shot from the right beat Lambton following a defensive lapse, that defence would see changes early on as Sam Pashley hobbled off to be replaced by Jack Cowgill, himself just returning from injury.

Another free kick for Sedge and another comfortable catch for Lambton before Emley then opened up the hosts for probably the first time, Berchil on the left, put in a fabulous cross but Curtis couldn't steer his header goal-ward.

Then on 35 minutes, Emley heads were in hands as a ball down the inside right caught them out but rather than shooting first time, Osadebe chose to come inside on his left foot and proceeded to balloon the ball over the bar, sigh of relief for the Pewits.

It was then Emley's turn to be wasteful in front of goal as half time approached, great footwork by Berchil saw him leave the defender stranded before seeing his shot blocked, it came back towards debutant Kielen Adams but he too was thwarted before Curtis went down and any penalty claims were waved away.

Half-time: Liversedge 0-0 Emley

Emley, in their striking new orange away strip kicked off the second half and were immediately on the front foot and causing problems, Berchil as usual, tormenting his marker on the left, skipped past him but was sent sprawling in the box, this time the ref had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick for the Pewits, Berchil himself stepped up to take but his shot to the keepers left was well saved by home keeper Oram.

Lawrence almost conceded an OG at the other end a few minutes later as he got a deflection which just skimmed the post, thankfully, the resulting corner rippled the side netting.

Emley made a couple more changes to try and change the dynamics of the game, Hardaker replaced the injured Calligan at left back and Metcalfe replaced Haigh.

Liversedge then enjoyed a spell in control but Emley's defence, superbly marshalled by Lambton in nets held firm before another penalty appeal was turned down, following good work by Berchil, cries of handball were ignored by the ref as Adams gave way to Walshaw as we entered the last quarter.

It would be a quarter that would pay dividends for Emley as they found another level to take the game from Liversedge, Curtis had a sight of goal from 15 yards but he rushed his shot and it went wide, Curtis would fare better a minute later though.

Metcalfe, impressive since his introduction, received possession on the left, looked up and pinged a beautiful cross field ball into the path of Nathan Curtis who, this time remained calm and slotted the ball past Oram for the opener with 15 to go.

Lambton was forced into a good save 2 minutes later as Sedge launched an attack, getting down low to smother a decent shot.

Hardaker was well involved in the last few minutes and following his superb corner from the right, Curtis flashed a header just wide, but it wouldn't be Hardaker's most important contribution, a minute later, Curtis again on the end of a cross, this time from Berchil but the keeper saved.

With 2 minutes to go of normal time, Emley wrapped the points up with a second cracking strike, Hardaker was initially involved on the left, the ball wasn't cleared and it somehow found it's way back to Ross Hardaker in the inside right position, he took a touch and then curled a super shot beyond Oram to the delight of Emley's travelling fans.

With the game almost won and into added time, it was down to Emley's defence to see the game out, and aided by a superb performance by Lambton, they did just that, despite Lawrence being shown a red card for a second yellow, Lambton pulling off a sensational save to deny the hosts a consolation.

Emley held out and took the applause from the many Pewits fans dotted around Clayborn as we remain unbeaten in second place on the NPL D1 East table with another local derby to come on Tuesday when Brighouse Town come to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground for the rearranged game.

Full-time: Liversedge 0-2 Emley

Attendance- 354.
Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Calligan, Haigh [c], Pashley, Clayton, Adams, Dawson, Curtis, Lawrence, Berchil
Subs used- Cowgill, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Walshaw, Mason.
Goals- Curtis (74') Hardaker (86')
WM Sykes Man of the Match- Declan Lambton