Pitchero

Worsbrough Bridge Athletic

AFC Emley

Full time

A Flynn (11'), T Brennan (20'), T Robinson (43'), S Jerome (50'), C Charlton (85')

Sat 25 Mar 15:00 - Toolstation Northern Counties East League - Division 1 Attendance 120

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Worsbrough Bridge 0 - 5 AFC Emley

By Ian Mason

Emley canter over first hurdle in final furlong of dramatic promotion-chasing season, reports Luke Greaves.

A five star performance from AFC Emley helped them climb to the top of the table as they extended their unbeaten run to eight in all competitions with a 5-0 win over Worsbrough Bridge Athletic at Park Road this afternoon.

There were goals for Ashley Flynn, Tom Brennan, Tom Robinson, Sam Jerome and Callum Charlton, whilst Graham McLachlan kept a third clean sheet in four games.

As manager Darren Hepworth claims this to be the “business end of the season”, the Pewits did the job today, but must win their remaining three games to stay in the hunt for automatic promotion.

The Pewits began with a fast tempo as the midfielders tried to give Flynn a healthy feed early on.

It took just 11 minutes for Flynn to find the net. Robbie Graham’s controlled ball over the top found Flynn, who beat the offside trap before lobbing Aidan Tyas with aplomb.

Brennan bagged a brace to seal a 2-0 win against Knaresborough last week and grabbed Emley’s second midway through the first half. He rose highest to meet Jordan Townend’s corner at the back post.

There were chances a plenty for the visitors to add a third; Jerome put two headers wide and Flynn scooped over from close range.

Tom Robinson got the crucial third goal shortly before the break, and how. His first goal in an Emley shirt may just be the best he’ll ever score in an Emley shirt, after controlling with his chest and hooking the ball over his head into the bottom corner, skilfully.

It didn’t take long for Emley to make it four after half-time. Jerome, who missed two clear cut chances in the first half, profited from an unusual Brennan assist to head into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season.

The second half went flat for a while but was revived when the energetic Matthew Jackson and Ashley Scully replaced Flynn and Jordan Coduri.

Jackson had the ball in the back of the net after Robinson’s through ball, but the linesman’s flag was raised.

The forward was then denied in style. Jackson’s goal-bound long range ripper was parried by the fingertips of the diving Tyas.

Tyas couldn’t keep out Charlton’s close range flick with five minutes to go after Liam Schofield’s perfectly executed low cross.

And Jason Carney rescued McLachlan’s clean sheet late on as Thomas Guest looked to have squeezed the ball in.

Emley’s quest for automatic promotion continues against Shirebrook Town at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground next Saturday (3pm).