The Pewits will have been eager to draw a line under a recent struggle for form after setting the league ablaze with a high-flying start, with only one win in the last five league games. A battling Sheffield FC outfit were able to make matters difficult with dogged defending, with Emley’s goal coming from a moment of brilliance late on.

Bottom of the league Sheffield FC managed to hold Emley to no goals in the first half, dealing with significant pressure from their 3rd place visitors, but an opener for either side proved to be elusive.

Emley were first to have a go, as Mohammad Qasim opted for a low effort that was well covered by Sheffield’s keeper. The home side almost instantly replied with their own effort that stung Lambton’s palms as both teams settled into the affair quickly.

Berchil offered his usual exploits on the left which proved to be an effective outlet for Emley as ever, and it was the rapid number 11 who tried to find Qasim in a good position to take on his second effort of the game inside 10 minutes, but the pass was overshot.

After 15 minutes of play, Berchil outpaced his man on the right flank before sliding a clever ball across that was played behind by a defender for an Emley corner. Up stepped Hardaker with an outstanding inswinger that was almost headed in emphatically by Barks, if not for an impressive headed clearance on the line by Sheffield.

Emley advanced again only moments later as Parkin laid a cushioned pass off to Metcalfe on the edge of the box, whose daisy-cutting effort was inches wide of the upright.

It was beginning to look like one of those days for Emley, who hit the post from close range not long shy of the half hour mark. Luke Parkin’s effort ricocheted back into his path and Emley looked certain to open the scoring, but a fantastic last-ditch challenge kept it goalless.

On the back foot Emley had work to do in the 40th minute. Sheffield were quickly breaking away on the counter, but big Charlie Barks was on his marks to body the attacker and regain possession.

Finding himself in a great position inside the box in the 42nd minute, Qasim looked best placed to get on the scoresheet before half time but was penalised for a foul on his marker before he could get a shot away.

H/T: Sheffield 0-0 Emley

Both sides were goalless at the halfway point despite continuous Emley pressure in the first half. The final ball had not been there from The Pewits, as Sheffield managed to pull out all the stops to deny the few chances that were on target.

It could be argued that the best of Emley’s football had been played in the first half, as it took an impressive strike from Luke Parkin to eventually find the breakthrough in a less than convincing second half.

The eventual goal scorer was hungry throughout the game, as he showed in the 53rd minute. Berchil chopped inside and rolled a ball into the path of Parkin, who went for placement, curling a shot towards the far corner, but the attempt was inches wide.

Emley were generally struggling to make the ball stick for much of the second half. Decision making had been poor and chances were infrequent. Sheffield’s poor discipline did, however, allow Emley to try their luck from set pieces.

A big chance came in the 61st minute after Lawrence won a free kick deep into Sheffield territory on the left. The ball was delivered with pace and another huge piece of defending resulted in a goal kick, as the ball was once again cleared off the line by Sheffield.

Sheffield had a golden opportunity to put themselves ahead about 5 minutes later as a swift counter had Emley firmly on the back foot. Some more composure and Emley may have found themselves trailing, but the attempt from the Sheffield attacker was rushed and dragged well wide.

A real moment of magic gave Emley the lead in the 78th minute. Luke Parkin had been trying to find his range all afternoon, and finally, late in the second half he perfectly curled the ball home from 30 yards, sending the significant travelling Emley contingent wild.

Emley protected their lead well in the closing stages as Sheffield courageously battled for an equaliser. The biggest scare came in the 90th minute, when a Sheffield player picked up the ball in midfield and took on just about everybody in his way with sheer pace. Lambton was quick to react, though, as he read the situation perfectly and raced out to collect the ball and prevent a potential equaliser.

While the home side piled forward, Emley were unphased. The game ended with Emley protecting the ball by the corner flag, seeing the game out to secure 3 points on the road with a narrow victory.

The victory sees Emley continue their fine vein of away form, having not lost a single game on the road in the NPL East this season so far. The Pewits sit 3rd in the table and welcome 20th placed Ashington to West Yorkshire next weekend.

F/T: Sheffield 0-1 Emley
Attendance: 696
Emley: Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Metcalfe (C), Cowgill, Barks, Parkin, Kenny, Qasim, Lawrence, Berchil
Subs used: Clayton, Sorhaindo
Unused: Baldwin, Curtis, Dawson
WM Sykes Man of the Match: Charlie Barks