A depleted Ambers squad put in a terrific shift to earn a valuable point at high flying Emley, becoming only the second NCEL side this season to shut out the Pewits exciting strike force. Whilst keeper Dylan Parkin rightfully grabbed the headlines, the whole team showed a great togetherness and determination to stand firm under almost constant pressure.
The first chance of the game went to Emley’s Gooden who fired well over and there was a hint of a chance for The Ambers when Leon Howarth’s whipped cross was cut out by home keeper Lambton, before Howarth sent Shaun Tuton racing through the middle but the ball just got away from him.
The first gilt edged chance went to the hosts midway through the half when Gooden’s cross picked out Jerome eight yards out but the striker placed his header wide of the mark, and this preceded a good little spell for The Ambers, albeit the only attempt at goal was a Mitch Carlton effort which was well over the bar.
Tom Cropper then picked up a yellow card for a hack at Gooden out on the left wing, before Parkin was on hand to save a Barks effort after the centre back was found in the area by Metcalfe’s free kick. It was then nip and tuck for the rest of the opening half as both sides fought to take the advantage.
A headed Emley effort that missed the target in the opening minutes of the second half set the scene for the rest of the game, as the hosts surged forward continuously in the hope of a breakthrough which almost came when some neat play sent Gooden racing clear, only for Parkin to pull off a spectacular double save that had everyone in the ground wondering how on earth the ball had stayed out of the net.
Pashley then headed over and Kenny curled an effort wide before there was some respite for The Ambers when Clegg was booked for a hefty challenge on the hardworking Mitch Dunne, leading to a Cropper delivery into the area which was headed wide by Henry Carne.
A double substitution by Emley almost paid immediate dividends when Curtis rose to meet Pashley’s cross, only to see Parkin spectacularly tip the ball over for a corner, before The Ambers also made two changes, Aaron Moxam and Tom Bishop replacing Howarth and Carlton, then Owen Haigh had to leave the pitch through injury with Johno Williams coming on in his place.
With Handsworth soaking up the pressure and holding a deep defensive line, it was inevitable that the hosts would over commit at times, with The Ambers always looking for the opportunity to break and one such occasion saw Dunne set up Moxam, but he just couldn’t sort out his feet in time and the chance was snuffed out.
As the time ticked away, the hosts piled forward and Parkin was in the right place to save comfortably from a long- range Jerome effort but there was a heart in the mouth moment five minutes into stoppage item when the ball appeared to strike the post from Cowgill’s header, although Parkin definitely got a touch onto it as he wrapped himself around the woodwork.
All in all, it was an excellent night’s work for The Ambers who have come away from Emley with no reward on their previous recent visits, so a point was more than welcome on what could have been a much more difficult evening.

Ambers Line up: Parkin, Cropper, Trench, Arbouin, Carne, Haigh (Williams 71), Dunne, Carlton (Bishop 68), Tuton, Barlow, Howarth (Moxam 68)