HT: 0-0
FT: 6-1 W
Cliffe FC on the back of two straight cup wins, beating ProPak a fortnight ago 9-3 and 4 weeks ago they beat Brandesburton IV 7-1. Brandesburton, in fact, would be the team they would face at home this week, but 3 points would be at stake.
Malcolm Bryce writes…
As Cliffe FC had beat Brandesburton in a previous fixture a month ago 7-1, complacency was maybe to blame for the way Cliffe FC performed in the first 45 minutes. Brandesburton arguably were the best side in the first half, worrying the Cliffe FC defence numerous times. Cliffe FC though did carve out a few chances and maybe should have scored at least one of them. Brandesburton continued to hold Cliffe FC until half-time with the scored dead-locked at 0-0.
Cliffe manager, Keith Tiplady, was not happy with his team’s first half display and sent out the same XI for the second-half. Cliffe FC now were the better side, with Scott Birch and John Rodrigues began to boss the midfield, and started to look more deadly on the attack. Cliffe FC continued to be frustrated by Brandesburton until the hour mark when Scott Birch, who scored a hat-trick against this side last time he face them four weeks ago for Cliffe FC, went on a powerful run into the box and hammer the ball home at the ‘keeper’s near post and let out a huge burst of relief in his celebrations and celebrated with the fans behind the goal(?). Cliffe FC’s second goal came from a Kev Simpson corner, who made five goals against this side in the cup game, and was headed in by Chris Walker, his forth in two games. The score read 3-0 when a cross by S. Birch was put into the net by a Brandesburton player. Another Cliffe FC goal went in, when Kev Taylor nicely slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner for 4-0 Cliffe FC. S. Birch got his second when an opportunity fell to him in the box made by, Norwegian débutant, Rune Eriksen for him to finish for 5-0. It was then 6-0 and a repeat hat-trick for Scott Birch against Brandesburton when he finished a chance from a tight angle. Andy Kirkham who made some penetrating runs from right back had to be substituted after getting a knock in a 50/50 challenge, left-back Matt Birch also put in a performance and was later replaced by Danny Fisher. Brandesburton did get one back in what looked an offside goal and Cliffe FC ‘keeper for the game, Nick Brown lost his clean sheet, but this would only be consolation for 6-1. Tom Hogg who started the game up front put in a good workload and his effort deserved a goal, his striking partner Dave Heron didn’t get the rub of the green either in this fixture. Centre-half Dave Evans also had a few thunderous efforts from 30 yards that went over. The full-time whistle was blown with the final score of 6-1 to Cliffe FC.
Many Thanks goes to Cliffe FC sponsors The Bread Bin and Pure-Silk and The New Inn for their hospitality.
Cliffe FC have now scored 22 goals in three games and can take these last three performances into their next month’s fixtures, first of which is versus South Cave, next week, who sit top of the league by two points.
Cliffe Team:
N. Brown, A. Kirkham (N.Horner), D. Evans, K. Simpson, M. Birch (D.Fisher), K. Taylor, J. Rodrigues, S. Birch, C. Walker, T. Hogg, D. Heron (R.Ericksen)
Cliffe Scorers:
S. Birch(3), C. Walker, K. Taylor, 1 Own Goal.