Another disappointing day at Cliffe Park. Top of the table Civil Service where the visitors but confidence was high in the Cliffe camp that they could be knocked of their perch!
Keith Tiplady writes…
The game started very brightly for the hosts with lovely movement and passing play carving chances for Tom Hogg and débutante Neil Taylor and it could have been 3-0 to Cliffe before they actually took the lead through Billy Atton on 17 minutes when he reacted quickest to a spill by the keeper.
Service struggled to keep the hosts at bay and could have fallen further behind had Cliffe been better in front of goal. An equaliser came for service on the half hour when an uncharacteristic unforced error from captain Scott Birch led to a goal mouth scramble and the ball ending up in the net, it stayed 1-1 at the interval.
The opening exchanges of the second half belonged to Civil Service but they found Ally Harris in great form in the Cliffe Goal, he was, however, beaten eventually by a Scott Birch header! The own goal was soon pulled back after a brave, strong run by Ben Rawson. The keepers clearance hit Rawson as he closed him down and rebounded into the net.
At 2-2 Cliffe should have kicked on and secured the points but still chances went begging and as the game became physical in the closing minutes it was Cliffe who suffered. Hogg fluffed the simplest chance of the day and Addison was sent off, 2 yellows.
Chasing the game from a corner in the last minute Cliffe were caught on the break and fell to a sucker punch. The last kick of the game being a 30 yard strike into the roof of the night.
The only bright points of the day being a solid performance from Ally Harris, a good debut from Neil Taylor and signs that Andy Kirkham is returning to form. Next week Cliffe travel to Bishop Wilton needing 3 points.
Cliffe Team:
Harris, Kirkham, Evans, Birch, Wilcockson (Lambert), N.Taylor, Addison, Atton, K.Taylor (Simpson), Lees (Rawson), Hogg
Cliffe Scorers:
Atton, Rawson
Cliffe FC 2nd XI Summary:
Cliffe Reserves travelled to face Bishop Wilton Reserves and got there first league win of the season in great fashion, winning 5-0. With Aaron Tiplady scoring two and Captain, Nathan Horner, getting Man-Of-The-Match.
recent posts:
- Cliffe FC vs. LNER Builders (A) 6th March 2010
- Cliffe FC ’sign’ Jan Molby
- Cliffe FC vs. Crayke (H) 20th February 2010
