Avro assistant manager Phil Edghill admitted he was ‘delighted’ with his side’s start to the season after they overcame a tough test in West Yorkshire to book their place in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Liam Ellis broke the deadlock against NCEL Premier Division side Emley 11 minutes before the break when he latched on to a long through ball by Matty Crothers and coolly lobbed home keeper Declan Lambton.

Midfielder Joe Rathbone doubled the lead early in the second period with a beautifully-struck volley, and once the home side had blown their best chance to get back into the game when Grant Shenton saved a James Walshaw spot-kick, the visitors held on comfortably to record a 2-0 success.

“I thought we were excellent today,” said Edghill. “We knew this was going to be a really tricky hurdle to overcome, especially as they had already played two league games so you would expect them to be a bit more match ready.

“However, I thought we dealt really well with everything they threw at us. The back four were excellent, but to be honest the whole team worked their socks off to get that clean sheet, and when they did get their one big opportunity, Grant has bailed us out.

“We know there are still things that we can do better, but overall I am delighted with the performance.”

The Ro now face a trip to Merseyside in their quest to match their success in the competition last year, with NWCFL Premier Division side Lower Breck providing the opposition on August 19.

However, before that they will play their first ever fixtures in the NPL Division One West with Nantwich Town visiting the Vestacare Stadium on Saturday, followed by a trip to Prescot Cables next Tuesday.

“The players are absolutely buzzing at the moment,” said Edghill. “Some of them, like Jamie Rother, have played plenty of step-four football before, and their experience is going to be absolutely vital over the coming weeks and months. However, we also have the likes of Kane Wallwork and the Rathbone brothers who have been with us right from the start of this incredible journey the club has been on over the last five years. If you were there in their shoes, how could you not be excited about the challenge which lies ahead?

“We have all worked so hard over the last 12 months to get this opportunity, and now we are here, there is a real sense of purpose about the lads - they want to make the most of it.

“We know that it is going to be a massive challenge over the next eight and a half months, but we have no reason to fear anyone, so let’s see where that takes us for starters.”