HT: 1-2
FT: 1-3 L
If Cliffe were going to win this game they needed to put in performances like they did when they notched-up victories over other fellow Selby sides at Cliffe Park.
Malcolm Bryce writes…
With the weather before kick-off the pitch conditions would be boggy throughout the match. Thorpe started the brighter of the two sides in this scrappy game and took the lead through a header which Cliffe ‘keeper, Ally Harris, did get a touch on, he also made some vital saves to keep the score at 1-nil. Cliffe did get an equaliser again through a header, coming from Luke Crowther, continuing his goalscoring form in pre-season. At one-a-piece Cliffe should of competed but found themselves rushing and trying to force play and possibly showing too much respect to the away side. Thorpe re-took the lead when Andy Moughan felled a Thorpe forward in the box from which the penalty was scored. Ian Beckram continued to battle hard in the midfield and centre-half’s Scott Birch and Moughan had lots to deal with. Cliffe looked lack-lustre going forward and far too often simply too deep in their own half. 2-1 Thorpe at half-time.
The second half was much the same story for Cliffe, with them looking weak going forward whilst dealing with the Thorpe onslaught. What didn’t help matters was when the home side began to shuffle personnel around the pitch combined with an injury to, right-back, Kev Simpson. Harris had to be called on again to save Cliffe from a falling further behind but he managed to keep the score at 2-1. Cliffe may have been able to possibly nick a goal for a draw but a second penalty, more dubious than the first, was awarded after Shane Cawkill was adjudged to of fouled a Thorpe player. The penalty was slotted away for 3-1 to the away side. Ben Rawson late on had a couple of attempts denied by the Thorpe ‘keeper but the score remained 3-1 until the final whistle.
Whilst sounding a bit harsh Cliffe were simply beaten by a better team. Possibly their downfall was showing Thorpe too much respect, after beating Tate & Lyle and Kartiers this loss may have brought Cliffe back down to earth. Thorpe however did bring a strong side and judging how the away side’s players seemed to treat the win as a good, hard-fought win and it shows Cliffe are beginning to earn respect and show that Cliffe FC aren’t just a “little village team.” I’m sure that manager, Keith Tiplady, and head coach, Bob Wilkinson, will have a lot to work with and on from this match so too will onlooking second team manager, Dan Harper. But that’s what friendlies are for.
Cliffe Team:
(Starting XI)
Harris, Simpson, Buck, Moughan, S. Birch (C), Gillmartin, Beckram, Heron, Cawkill, Rawson, Crowther
(Subs)
K. Taylor, Kirkham, Allen, McMahon
Cliffe Scorers:
Crowther
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