Emley saw off Ashington in the Northern Premier League Division One East to maintain second place and end a mini slump that had seen us go 3 games without a win or a goal.

It looked like being a champagne performance by Emley in the first half an hour, but missed opportunities and some doggedness from the visitors kept the score close throughout.

A mild, Sunny day greeted the fans at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground and there was an air of trepidation following the last 3 games which had threatened to derail Emley's play off push, but the fans' nerves were soon settled by a good start that saw Emley on the front foot.

After a dangerous free kick was cleared at the second attempt, Emley's danger man Amir Berchil set off on a run across the edge of the box before forgetting to put his shooting boots on as it flew well wide, as did Ashington's first real chance, when a cross from the left flew past everyone inside the Emley box.

But within, two minutes the Pewits were celebrating as the deadlock was broken and it was a cracker! Great play from right to left involving Sheppeard, Berchil and Parkin found Belchior Rodrigues loitering at the edge of the area, the Portuguese took a touch and smacked it past the keeper into the bottom corner to the delight of the Emley faithful.

However, hearts were in the mouth straight from the kick off as Ashington threatened an immediate equaliser but a weak shot was saved by Lambton, it was a manic couple of minutes, as Emley could and probably should have had a second.

Again, some great build up play saw Luke Parkin find Amir Berchil with a luscious cross field ball that landed plum into the feet of Berchil, he then fed a marauding Rodrigues, who instead of pulling the trigger himself, squared to Hayden Lindley who was flagged offside, in any case, the keeper blocked Lindley's shot.

Emley were powering through and round Ashington's defence, who were holding on a bit by this stage but poor execution kept letting us down, Berchil was next to waste a golden opportunity, after nicking the ball off the last defender, berchil bore down on goal and was presented with a one-on-one with the keeper, who should have really been picking the ball out of the net but he did well to get out and down quick and save his side.

A minute later and this time it was Rodrigues again with a chance, after a classy turn, he shot over despite having Ashington hands all over him. Ashington then created a decent chance but a poor, weak shot was easily picked up by Lambton.

Emley won a corner just past the half hour, it was cleared for a throw, but Hardaker's long throw caused problems, as first, Berchil, then Rodrigues saw shots blocked as Ashington threw bodies at it, they then broke up field and Lambton was forced down low to gather a header.

Berchil was thwarted yet again when another cross field ball found him in some space, his run saw him drift infield but his shot was blocked, and then another header from the visitors flashed wide as they again threatened to equalise.

The last action of the half saw an Emley free kick, curled in by Parkin, but Cowgill up from the back also saw his shot blocked.

H/T- Emley 1-0 Ashington

The second half was less exciting but was probably more about game management and with Emley's recent form denting confidence, perhaps not surprising, but there was chances to extend the lead and put the game to bed once and for all.

Ashington looked the sprightlier at the start of the second half, but Harry Sheppeard was on hand to block a shot and prevent any further damage before Rodrigues couldn't steer a header on target from a left wing cross, Rodrigues was denied again a few minutes later when a ball in to him from Berchil following a swift break was blocked by an Ashington defender.

Luke Parkin was next to be denied, after some good work to retrieve possession, Parkin drove into the area but his low shot didn't have enough power or placement to beat the keeper who saved low down.

The game became really scrappy just past the hour before the visitors created a chance of their own, a decent break downfield before the shot on target was met by a last ditch clearance from an Emley boot, from the resulting corner, the header was wide and Emley were relieved.

First changes for Emley saw Lawrence replaced Parkin and Metcalfe gave way to Joe Kenny as Emley looked to try and keep hold of their lead and end their recent slump.

Berchil was denied again as he found a tiny bit of space to get a shot away but it was blocked, a third change saw Nzondo replace Nathan Curtis as the clocked ticked down without any further chances.

With the game edging towards 90 minutes, Emley looked to have sealed the deal, Berchil did brilliantly to keep a ball alive that was running dead, he pulled it back to Lawrence but a desperate, diving Ashington defender kept it out.

Lindley then hobbled off to be replaced by Baldwin, and the goalscorer Rodrigues by Adam Clayton as the Pewits settled for another 3 points and another clean sheet and kept up the chase for a play off place.

Now, attention turns to Tuesday's Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup semi final with Worksop Town on Tuesday as we look to make the final for the second time in 3 seasons.

But the vital league points are in the bag and ended the mini slump.

F/T- Emley 1-0 Ashington

Attendance- 388

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Cowgill, Barks, Parkin, Lindley, Curtis, Rodrigues, Berchil:
Subs all used- Lawrence, Kenny, Nzondo, Baldwin, Clayton.

Goal- Rodrigues (14')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Belchior Rodrigues