ALBION Sports saw their own play-off hopes hit on Tuesday, while inadvertently all-but-destroying the title dreams of neighbours Campion in the process.
Leaders Emley won 1-0 at home to Albion in midweek, meaning they need just one more win from their final four games to finish the season as champions.
And that outcome would mean the play-offs for second-placed Campion, given there is only one automatic promotion spot in the division.
Visting Albion had to do plenty of defending in the first half at Emley on Tuesday, but other than forcing Kyle Trennery into a couple of fine saves, the hosts did not carry too great of a goal threat.
They almost fell behind too, only for Albion’s Eisa Faulding to head just wide from Owen Murphy’s free kick moments before half time.
Lewis Waddington and Thomas Ponter both had half-chances straight after the break, before Trennery made a brilliant save to keep Emley out just before the hour mark.
He then saved a penalty five minutes later, as the home side’s wait for a crucial goal went on.
But Trennery was finally beaten with 20 minutes to go by a fine header at the back post.
Emley scored a second goal soon after that was ruled out for offside, and though Albion fashioned a couple of attacks in the final 10 minutes, none of them came to anything, leaving the champions-in-waiting both relieved and delighted when the full-time whistle blew.
Fifth-placed Albion hold a four-point buffer in the final play-off spot as it stands, but will be particularly wary of Penistone Church, who are six points behind them in seventh.
Penistone still have five games left to play, while Albion only have three remaining.
As for Campion, while their title hopes may be virtually over, they could be in line for some silverware regardless this season.
They were in NCEL League Cup quarter final action on Tuesday night and edged out their hosts Frickley Athletic on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Nathan Cartman’s brace put the visitors 2-0 up at half-time, but Frickley halved the deficit on 64 minutes with an excellent free kick.
The hosts then grabbed a last-gasp leveller to take the game to spot-kicks, with Campion keeper Brad Emmerson saving two penalties to ensure his side won the shootout 4-2.
Guiseley went out of a cup on Wednesday night though, as they blew a host of chances in a surprise 2-1 defeat at Knaresborough Town in the West Riding County Cup semis.
Finally, play-off chasing Thackley were due to be in NCEL Premier Division action last night at Hallam, but the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
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