Emley and Liversedge defied storm Darragh to play out a 1-1 draw at a wet and windy Fantastic Media Welfare Ground in the Northern Premier League Division One East, a result that keeps Emley second in the table.

With nobody else in the top 7 playing, there was a chance for Emley to regain top spot from inactive Cleethorpes Town, but in the end, had to settle for a point to cut the gap to one point.

There was always a danger that the weather wouldn't allow for a particularly good game but credit to both teams for at least trying and giving some entertainment to the 383 spectators who had ventured out in the stormy conditions.

Emley cleared an early Sedge free kick before winning a couple of corners themselves, but again, the defence was on top of things, it took until the 17th minute really until a worthy chance was registered, Donae Lawrence doing superbly in breaking into the defensive line and his shot was deflected for a corner which sailed wide courtesy of a strong gust.

Liversedge then created a chance for themselves around the 20 minute mark but Lambton was down low to smother the chance as they looked to stem the tide of a good Emley start, that start almost led to a goal when Metcalfe struck one from distance but it flew wide with the keeper off his line.

However, the deadlock would be broken just 3 minutes later and it was a fine strike too, again, Lawrence wreaking havoc among the Sedge defence, his ball across the face of goal wasn't dealt with and Luke Parkin was there to smash high into the top corner for the opener.

That goal seemed to spur Emley on even more and with the vocal support coming from the Richard Hirst shed, looked to hit the visitors for a second, after a corner was put wide, Charlie Barks took a chance and put boot to ball around 35 yards out and it looked to be heading in but the keeper made a late tip around the post, the corner came to nothing.

Liversedge looked sharp on the break and caught The Pewits napping in defence on 40 minutes, however, a superb intervening tackle from Sheppeard cleared the danger when they had a 2 on 1 and almost certain to score and right on half time, Liversedge had another chance for a leveller from a corner but Lambton made the save to make sure we went in ahead at the break.

H/T- Emley 1-0 Liversedge.

Liversedge, who enjoyed a 4-0 away win last week came out for the second half on fire, causing Emley many problems and making the defence work hard, from the kick off, a shot flew wide as Emley looked to sort themselves out.

Nathan Curtis was working hard up front and he went on a mazy little run from the left, making his way into the area but his ball across eluded anyone in claret and blue and the danger was cleared.

Sedge gained confidence from their strong start to the half and a header from a corner was put wide when it looked like it was easier to score, a few minutes later and they spurned another good opportunity as they created space but the shot was wide.

However, less than 10 minutes into the second half and the scores were level, Sedge were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out and Crook stepped up and lasered the shot straight towards goal and it flew past Lambton for the equaliser.

There was almost an immediate response from Emley, but after Berchil was clattered on the left, Clayton could only head the resulting free kick into the side netting.

Liversedge then took a firm hold on the game and pinned Emley down at the Warburton end, Emley's defence had to be as strong as the wind blowing in their faces and they were, although some poor finishing from the visitors aided our cause.

Shots went wide from fairly good chances when Emley were under pressure, to be kind, the wind was blowing and swirling and so could have affected things, not that Emley cared, they survived a real purple patch and looked to push on themselves.

Changes were made, Belchior Rodrigues made his home debut replacing the industrious Donae Lawrence, Mo Qasim for Nathan Curtis and Laurence Sorhaindo replacing Luke Parkin, all three had put in good shifts for the cause.

Then, a fairly controversial moment in the 79th minute, with Emley enjoying a spell of possession and territory, Rodrigues was bundled over in the box by a clumsy challenge, a huge shout went up from everyone of an Emley persuasion but the ref waved play on much to the dismay of the Emley fans.

Liversedge continued to look for a winner and were creating space and along with the wind, a bit of panic, a good move ended with a shot fired well over from a good position just inside the area, and then as we entered the third and final minute of added time, it looked like the visitors had snatched it right at the end but Lambton made a fine, parried save to deny them and the game ended with a point each.

In the end a decent result for Emley with 2 of their top 3 rivals not playing and with a trip to the East Coast again on Friday to face leaders Cleethorpes, Emley got a point from a tricky game that could have gone the other way.

F/T- Emley 1-1 Liversedge

Attendance- 383

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Clayton, Barks, Parkin, Dawson, Curtis, Lawrence, Berchil;
Subs used- Rodrigues, Qasim, Sorhaindo;
Unused- Baldwin, Cowgill.

Goal- Parkin (27')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Harrison Sheppeard