HT: 2-0
FT: 4-0 W
Cliffe FC this week arguably had their most significant game this weekend, facing legaue leaders South Cave at home, who began the day top of the table 2 points clear of Cliffe FC having played one more game than forth placed Cliffe FC.
Malcolm Bryce writes…
Cliffe FC had the perfect start, scoring within the first 10 seconds, Rune Eriksen scoring on his first start from a cross from Kev Taylor. South Cave, now one-nil down, didn’t take well to this and began to contest every referee decision and the game turned into a physical game, much to the dislike of the away team. Cliffe FC chances came and went and the score remained 1-0. South Cave had a chance to level things, after Matt Birch was adjudged to have fouled the forward. The resulting penalty was easily saved by returning Cliffe FC ‘keeper Ally Harris and the score remained one-nil to Cliffe FC. Cliffe FC continued to apply pressure and it paid off in the last minute of the half when Chris Walker won an aerial challenge with the opposition ‘keeper to make it 2-nil. This collision resulted in Walker receiving a broken nose for his troubles. The half-time whistle blew at 2-0 Cliffe FC.
Cliffe FC Manager, Kieth Tiplady, gave his team talk and iterated to his players not to rise to South Cave reacting to challenges and sent his players back out. The half begun and Cliffe FC continued to be the better side and the visitors hardly had a sniff at goal due to the solid Cliffe FC back-four of fullbacks, Kev Simpson and Matt Birch, and centre-backs, Dave Evans and Andy Moughan. Cliffe FC began to dominate the midfield as South Cave’s only way of playing was long-balls and it meant that when Cliffe FC got down and played the ball in the centre of midfield, Cliffe FC, centre midfielders, John Rodrigues and Scott Birch, had the visitors unable to win the ball. Cliffe FC were soon 3-nil up with a nice long ball from Dave Evans was finished off by Dave Heron by nicely nestling the ball in the bottom corner with his shot. For the third game in a row the opposition added to the Cliffe FC tally by scoring an own goal for 4-0, when a ball across the six yard box was missed by two Cave players and at the third attempt was put into the net inadvertently by a defender. South Cave best chance came from a positioning error by M. Birch and let the visitors in but M. Birch recovered by clearing off the line. Rob Wood who came on earlier for Walker, played well winning a few headers and Steve Hullah who had little time to make an impact, still managed to get into a scuffle with an opposition player. The game finished 4-nil to Cliffe FC.
Many Thanks goes to Cliffe FC sponsors The Bread Bin and Pure-Silk and The New Inn for their hospitality.
With this win Cliffe FC go top of their league a point clear and remain undefeated.
This game was Cliffe FC’s most physical and South Cave did not like being beaten physically and ultimately losing both the game and top spot.
Next week Cliffe FC return to cup competition away from home in the East Riding County Cup Round 2 versus Nafferton Rec. Reserves and will look to take their now 5 game winning streak into it.
Cliffe Team:
A. Harris, K. Simpson, D. Evans (S.Hullah), A. Moughan, M. Birch, K. Taylor, J. Rodrigues, S. Birch, C. Walker (R.Wood), D. Heron, R. Eriksen.
Cliffe Scorers:
R. Eriksen, C. Walker, D. Heron, 1 Own Goal.