Emley and Yorkshire Amateur enjoyed a number of close battles in Emley’s first few years of Yorkshire League membership.  But, in 1974 the teams met twice near the end of the season with the results critical to Emley’s chances of winning the league title.

The first game was at Emley on a Thursday evening, having already played on the Tuesday, so it was no surprise that the performance was a tired one as the team showed just one change, Moorby coming in at the last minute for McHale.  Moorby was quickly involved I n the game, sending S.B. Greaves away down the wing only for his shot to be smothered by the ‘keeper.  Emley kept up the pressure and Travis also brought a good save out of the visiting ‘keeper.

For all their pressure Emley couldn’t break down a dogged Amateur defence and the second half was a more even affair.  Travis had another good chance, but blasted over.  The goal when it came was a gem.  S.B. Greaves made a great run down the right touchline, beating the defender to get to the bye line.  There he turned in a perfect cross onto the head of Burke who made no mistake with the header.

Amateur came more into the game after that as the pace of the game increased and became more end to end as the players tired.  However, Emley held out for the win, to tie on points with league leaders Lincoln United.

Two weeks later the teams met again, this time at Bracken Edge in Leeds on another Thursday evening for the last league game of the season for Emley.  Emley’s hopes of taking the title were now very slim however as a 2-0 defeat at Denaby the previous Monday left them needing a 13 goal victory to take the title from Lincoln on goal average.

Not surprisingly Amateur were not playing ball.  On a difficult hard bobbly pitch Amateur went ahead through Burton.  Emley then laid siege to the Amateur goal and drew level after 75 minutes with a fine goal from McHale.  Three minutes later Steele got the win for Emley with a spectacular volley to take the game 2-1.  But, it was not enough and Emley had to wait another 2 seasons for their first Yorkshire League title.

Team:  Brook, Barnard, Steele, R.Wood, A.Wood, Burke, Kettlewell, Taylor, Travis, S.B.Greaves, Moorby, Humphries. Sub: McHale

Headlines and some photographs courtesy of Huddersfield Examiner and the Huddersfield and District Chronicle