HT: 4-2
FT: 9-3 W

Cliffe FC went into this game on the back of drubbing Brandesburton IV 7-1 in the Harold Robinson Cup a two weeks ago and had had no fixture last week, so an eager and adjusted Cliffe FC first XI took the field against Pro Pak in the first round of the East Riding County Cup.

Keith Tiplady this week shuffled the pack, partly by choice and partly forced due to some players being unavailable. A debut was given to Portuguese central-midfielder John Rodrigues, who with his first touch in the game put Dave Heron through on goal in the first few minutes. Cliffe FC ‘keeper, Ally Harris, was called into action and made a good save to tip a clear goal scoring shot round the post for a corner. Cliffe FC soon broke the deadlock as after having two earlier headed chances, Chris Walker hammered in this chance off the bar for 1-0 Cliffe FC. Pro Pak soon levelled with a nice set-piece, as a corner was emphatically headed unchallenged into the Cliffe FC net for 1-1. Pro Pak then took a 2-1 lead before Cliffe FC equalised when a cross from Kev Taylor was put into the net by a Pro Pak defender for an own goal and 2-2. Debutant J. Rodrigues created Cliffe FC’s third singled handedly after taking on 5 Pro Pak players got to basically the goal line and squared it! D. Heron was on hand to easily finish to put Cliffe FC 3-2 up and was very thankful to J.Rodrigues for his generosity. Aaron Tiplady had to leave the field early-on and his replacement, Andy Smith, made it 4-2 Cliffe FC before half-time. Teams went in 4-2 to Cliffe FC at half time.

Keith Tiplady laid out a positive team talk, Cliffe FC had their orange slices and went out for the second half. Cliffe FC soon had a 5-2 lead with a second from A. Smith. Arguably Cliffe FC’s goal of the day came from captain Scott Birch when from a 30 yard free-kick near the touchline, he had a go at chipping the Pro Pak ‘keeper who was only inches off his line, and the ball found its way into the net for 6-2 Cliffe FC. Pro Pak strung some passes together and these lead to them getting one back for 6-3 Cliffe FC. Cliffe FC were then 7-3 up after C. Walker bagged his second, and not his last, of the game. Cliffe FC continued with the chances and centre-half pairing Andy Moughan and Dave Evans kept Pro Pak attack at bay. D. Evans hit a sweet shot that went over, Andy Kirkham, who this week played right-back as opposed to centre-midfield still managed some nice penetrating runs through the Pro Pak defence and was later replaced by Ryan Tiplady who, nearly scored from his first touch taking a corner that had to be tipped over. Other players out of position played well, such as Matt Birch who had a good display at left-back as opposed to his usually right-back position. D. Heron was then put clean through and he calmly finished for his second and to make the score 8-3 Cliffe FC. The last goal and C. Walker’s hat-trick goal was scored in the dying moments to make it 9-3 Cliffe FC! After the last goal, with moments left, Tom Hogg who having little time as a substitute to have any impact, went on a run from centre of the midfield trying to get himself a goal but was unable to and the final whistle blew at 9-3 Cliffe FC.
Many Thanks goes to Cliffe FC sponsors The Bread Bin and Pure-Silk and The New Inn for their hospitality.

After winning 7-1 in the Harold Robinson Cup a fortnight ago and having no game last weekend, Cliffe FC could of come into this East Riding County Cup game not fully focused, but the weekend off seemed to make them more eager and scoring 9 goals proved that. Cliffe FC are now in the hat for both of their cup competitions’ next rounds winning by 6 goals in each respective game, scoring 16 goals in the process.

Cliffe Team:
A. Harris, A. Kirkham (R.Tiplady), D. Evans, A. Moughan, M. Birch, K. Taylor, J. Rodrigues (T.Hogg), S. Birch, C. Walker, A. Tiplady (A.Smith), D. Heron

Cliffe Scorers:
C. Walker(3), D. Heron(2), A. Smith(2), S. Birch, 1 Own Goal.

Filed under: Match Reports by Malcolm Bryce