Every game is a cup final, says Hepworth
Hepworth calls for players to be on form for final furlong to end of season.
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth says he is desperate for his players to hit form in the final 7 league matches of the season after coming from behind to beat Campion 4-1 yesterday.
After a sticky patch, which saw defeats to rivals Pontefract Collieries and Brigg Town, the Pewits have hit the ground running in the final furlong towards the end of the season with back-to-back league wins against Rossington Main and Campion
After hovering in the play-offs for several months, Hepworth wants his players to treat all 7 remaining league fixtures as cup finals.
"We've got to earn the right to be in the Premier Divison and I'm going to use that cliche that every game is a cup final," Hepworth said.
"The game against Campion was no different but I'm sure we can expect plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of April," he added.
Emley once again proved their credibility to compete at Premier Division level after beating Rainworth Miners Welfare 3-0 at Kirklington Road in the NCEL League Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.
The result put yet another marker down for Hepworth, which suggests his men are ready for the challenge of promotion.
"That's the division we're desperate to be playing in next season and we made a statement on Tuesday night against a good Rainworth side.
"I think we'd made a good case for a top 8 side in the Premier but I think they're ready for it and hopefully this year will be the one," Hepworth said.
The quest for promotion continues as Emley make the journey to Leeds to face 13th placed Yorkshire Amateur.
And after giving the Pewits a stern test in the reverse fixture at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground earlier in the season, Hepworth is wary of the challenge that lies ahead.
"At their place they're always dangerous, a good side and hard to beat and I'm sure it will be a real test for us," he said.
Top scorer Ashley Flynn notched his 50th goal of the season in all competitions after bagging a hat-trick against Campion, but the talisman has to score 24 more in 7 games to better last season's tally of 73.