North Ferriby 2-0 Emley
NCEL Premier Division North Ferriby began life in their new division with a 2-0 home win over Emley thanks to a brace of goals from man of the match Danny East. The striker netted a 34th-minute penalty and then followed up a Jamie Forrester free kick to win the game for the Villagers.
Ferriby had numerous chances throughout the game and in return kept a clean sheet, something which please manager Chris Bolder. Ferriby start the season in fourth place in the table and will look to build on this as the season goes on as they chase back-to-back promotions.
“It was pleasing to get a clean sheet and I think we had numerous opportunities to score goals,” said Bolder.
“There was plenty of rustiness which you would expect in the first game of a new season but there is still lots for us to work on in training this week. But overall, I have to be happy we got the three points and a clean sheet on the opening day to start us off well.”
In front of the Divisions highest attendance that of 358 the home side had early chances from Danny Clarke and pre-season signing Danny Earl but they failed to beat Emley keeper Sam Kelly. Forrester then sent a free kick just wide of the post after being fouled.
Ferriby continued to press with another Forrester free kick laid out to Adam Bolder but his shot was blocked by the wall before the visitors finally got a chance. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area with Joe Jagger’s low effort cleared by the Ferriby defence.
Further chances fell to the Villagers when Oli Donald’s header off a Josh Dennett long throw went high and wide, this before Bolder was upended in the Emley box, and the referee pointed to the spot. East stepped up to fire home the penalty for a deserved 1-0 lead.
Emley thought they had pulled a goal back when Jagger fired the ball past Lewis Exall but it was disallowed when he fouled the keeper in going for the ball. It remained 1-0 through to the break but Ferriby continued their pressure early in the second half when Bolder gave Danny Earl a chance, but he failed to take it.
East doubled the Ferriby lead on 65 minutes when yet another Forrester free kick was well saved by Kelly before the striker rifled the ball home for 2-0. It could have been three a minute later when Bolder laid the ball off to East who smashed the ball into the area but Oli Donald’s header hit the bar but by then the game was won.
Ferriby: Lewis Exall, Josh Dennett, Robbie Start, Liam Dickens, Niall Tilsley, Oli Donald, Danny Clarke, Adam Bolder, Jamie Forrester, Danny East, Danny Earl.
Subs: Danny Buttle (Earl), Lewis Hill (Exall), Danny Emerton (Forrester), Joel Shortland (Dickens), Rich Medcalf.
Mark Chestney