HT: 1-4
FT: 4-5 L
Cliffe FC were back into league action on the back of seven straight wins, Cliffe FC began the game in second place and looked to continue their winning ways away to Gilberdyke Reserves, who began the game 3 points behind Cliffe FC.
Malcolm Bryce writes…
A wind close to a gale was blowing from end-to-end and Gilberdyke began the game playing with the wind and this would benefit the home side in the first half. Cliffe FC conceded early when they were unable to deal with both the corner-ball and wind and the ball ended up in the net for 1-nil Gilberdyke. Cliffe FC were soon down 2-nil from a pacey, wind-assisted freekick that found it’s way into the top corner. Cliffe FC could not believe it when the they went 3-nil down when a ball was let to bounce in the area and then was put into the net. The hosts could not believe the position they were in and their morale was high. Cliffe FC got one back through John Rodrigues, his first for Cliffe FC, 3-1. The wind continued to blow with the rain pouring and the host’s were soon 4-1 up through a effort from outside the box that blew into the net.
Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Cliffe FC manager, Keith Tiplady, and he made two changes, bringing both Tom Hogg and Kev Simpson on. With the wind in their favour, whilst although dying down, Tom Hogg made an big impact. Gilberdyke however in the first minutes of the half made it 5-1 and Cliffe FC had a lot to do. Hogg’s impact was felt when he finished off a 1-on-1 chance for 5-2 and set up Scott Birch, who finished with a rocket of a shot, for 5-3. Gilberdyke were firmly on the back-foot now and with every home clearance led to a Cliffe FC attack. Hogg bagged his second with a chance that landed his way from a corner for 5-4. Cliffe FC then pushed hard for an equaliser, before Cliffe FC got back to 4-5, Hogg rattled the crossbar and Rodrigues hit the upright and Andy Kirkham narrowly blew a few chances, Kirkham even ran until his legs cramped up pushing for the equaliser. Half-chances for Cliffe FC came and went and was then followed by, to the relief of Gilberdyke, the final whistle.
Cliffe FC’s second half performance was vastly more deserving than that of Gilberdyke’s first half performance. But arguably the most important event of this game was Gilberdyke’s fifth goal at the beginning of the second half as this opened an even bigger deficit for Cliffe FC to close.
Many Thanks goes to Cliffe FC sponsors The Bread Bin and Pure-Silk.
Cliffe FC Team:
A. Harris, M. Birch, A. Moughan, S. Birch, R. Wood (S.Hullah), D. Heron, A. Kirkham, J. Rodrigues, K. Taylor, R. Tiplady (T.Hogg), N. Horner (K.Simpson)
Cliffe FC Scorers:
T. Hogg(2), J. Rodrigues, S. Birch