HT: 0-0
FT: 0-0

With the Cliffe Park pitch shrouded in fog, Cliffe’s game against Hedon went ahead, but, for the first time in Cliffe’s history a fixture finished 0-0.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

This fixture pitted first place against second. Cliffe began the game in second place with a game in hand and both teams wanted the win. This made for a competitive game with midfielder, Ian Beckram, nearly letting his temper get the better of him. Cliffe Captain, Andy Kirkham [Captain Kirk ] was able to calm the Cliffe midfield down as the home side tried to gain a foot-hold in the game. Dave Heron made some great runs down the left wing but a clear cut chance didn’t come the home sides way. Cliffe ‘keeper, Ally Harris, was called in to action to stop a clear cut Hedon goalscoring chance. With very little quality football played, half time arrived.

Cliffe obviously wanted to come out and win the game to leapfrog Hedon to go top but second half played out very much like the first with no clear chances being created. If anything Hedon came closest, once more Harris keeping the score goal-less. Cliffe began to come forward more and more. A scramble in front of the Hedon goal saw multiple Cliffe players have chances with Luke Crowther having his blasted shot saved on the line by a defender’s stomach! Cliffe pushed for a winner late on with Beckram dribbling through the defnence without being able to get a shot off, centre-halves Crowther and Andy Moughan had to deal with possible counters. A pair of Crowther free-kick’s, the first narrowly going over, were Cliffe’s final chances and the points were shared in the fog.

Cliffe Team:
Harris, Hawksworth, Simpson, Moughan, Crowther, Beckram, Kirkham (C), Cawkill, Heron, Rawson, Summers (Batey)

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A makeshift Cliffe Reserve side travelled to East Hull, losing to a scoreline which flattered the hosts.
Gary Wilson writes…

Cliffe started this game well and had the lion’s share of the possession, but could not seem to create many chances. Almost inevitably it was Hedon who took the lead when an unmarked attacker diverted the ball into the roof of the net from a corner.

Cliffe rallied however and were soon rewarded when Aaron Lees latched onto a through-ball and finished neatly for the equaliser.

Hedon once again pressed forward, with Layton Hallam making a goal-line clearance. However, shortly before half-time Hedon again took the lead when the ball went into the goal via a forward’s chest. Despite Cliffe’s appeals for hand-ball, the goal was allowed to stand.

The majority of the second-half saw both sides creating chances, with Gary Wilson being called upon to make several saves in the Cliffe goal. Cliffe also pressed forward at the other end, earning many corners, one of which was tipped onto the cross-bar by the home keeper.

It was Hedon who finally broke the deadlock 10 minutes from time as Wilson saved a shot, but the rebound fell to a Hedon forward who simply slotted the ball home.

Cliffe seemed to lose focus following this goal and conceded two late goals, leaving a scoreline which didn’t reflect the game and flattered the hosts.

Cliffe Team:
Wilson, Hallam, Buck, Leach, Summers, Lonsdale, Birch, Lambert, Brown, Lees, Fisher (Harper)

Cliffe Scorer:
A. Lees

Saturday saw the Cliffe FC First XI beat Shiptonthorpe “nil-nil” as Cliffe were awarded the win without kicking a ball. All eyes, once again, were on the Second XI as they travelled to Haltemprice, a team Cliffe beat 9-4 last season.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Haltemprice once again scored four goals but that was all the goals the game saw as Cliffe 2nd XI suffered a demoralising 4-0 defeat.

Cliffe didn’t look up for it one bit and Haltemprice took the lead when after two great saves from Cliffe ‘keeper, Marc Brown, no Cliffe players reacted and the home side players were lining up to finish off the chance. Haltemprice’s second goal came from lack-lustre marking and the ball was headed into the net. It was three for the home side before half-time as a long range effort went through Brown and Cliffe went into half time 3-nil down.

Even with Tom Hogg, who scored a 15 minute hat-trick here last season, and both Matt and Scott Birch in centre midfield couldn’t en still Cliffe to want to fight for the game. Haltemprice’s forth arguably was against the run of play as Cliffe started the brighter in the second half. A simple one-on-one chance finished off, Cliffe heads dropped and things could have been a lot worse if Haltemprice didn’t waste their chances.

Cliffe Team:
Brown, Hawksworth, Buck (C), Ford, Summers, Lonsdale, M. Birch, Horner (Hallam), Ellwood (S. Birch), Hogg, Worrillow (Lees)

The trophy was presented by Cliffe FC’s Head Coach, Bob Wilkinson, at Selby Times Stadium.

September Goal of the Month - Luke Crowther - vs. Hornsea Town Reserves (27th September)

October Goal of the Month - Kev Simpson - vs. Market Weighton (11th October)

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Dave Heron believed he was the fastest. So, last Tuesday night (11/11) a race took place.
5 men took part: Luke Worrillow, Dave Heron, Tom Hogg, Luke Crowther and Kev Simpson
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Is Dave Heron the fastest at Cliffe FC?
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(Edge of the (near) area was the finish line.)

HT: 2-0
FT: 4-1 W

Cliffe grabbed a Quarter-Final spot in the league cup by beating Hornsea 4 goals to one. Highlight of the game was a Baz Summers hat-trick celebrated with his legendary “Summers-sault.”
Malcolm Bryce writes…

This game was played at Selby College as the fixture had to be moved due to Hornsea’s pitch being waterlogged. Cliffe began the game at less than full-throttle and were easily playing within themselves but after crafting a yard of space Baz Summers opened scoring putting the ball in the bottom corner. Hornsea gave ‘keeper Ally Harris nothing to do apart from collect stray passes. Fullback, Paul Fenton, put in a performance during the first half, Dave Heron on the left wing also did well crafting himself a few chances whilst not scoring. Summers doubled his tally before half-time Cliffe went into the interval 2-nil up.

Cliffe’s pressure stepped-up second half however, continued their patchy performance., whilst still creating numerous chances. This enabled Hornsea to grab a goal and Cliffe might rue the missed chances. Soon though, the Summers’ hat-trick was complete with a header and the “Summers-sault” made an appearance. 3-1 Cliffe. Centre-half’s Scott Birch and Andy Moughan even had the luxury of going on a few attacking runs along with full-backs David Evans and, substitute, Kev Simpson. Luke Crowther’s luck wasn’t in as he had his chances either cleared off the line of miraculously saved by the Hornsea ‘keeper. Craig Allen also hit the post. Andy Kirkham’s header put Cliffe 4-1 ahead and Cliffe’s pressure continued until the final whistle.

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Cliffe FC Players’ Player of the Season 2007/2008, Kev Taylor (currently injured), cheered on the lads from the sidelines…
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Cliffe Team:
Harris, Fenton (Crowther), Evans, S. Birch, Moughan, Beckram, Kirkham, Cawkill, Heron (Simpson), Rawson (Allen), B. Summers

Cliffe Scorers:
B. Summers (3), Kirkham

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HT: 2-1
FT: 4-3 W

Cliffe 2nd XI gained revenge for a defeat earlier in the season with this hard fought league victory at Cliffe Park which included two genuine contenders for goal of the season.
Gary Wilson writes…

The game started evenly with both sides unable to get on top until Cliffe were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute for hand-ball. Richard Taylor stepped up and smashed it into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.

Only three minutes later Cliffe doubled their lead when Mark Buck headed a corner onto the crossbar, and Matt Birch followed up to poke home the rebound.

The lead was almost increased again within minutes as Marcus Ford saw his far-post header acrobatically saved by the visiting keeper.

Skirlaugh then got themselves back into the game as Nathan Summers conceded a penalty, which was converted.

Following the break, the visitors equalised from a free-kick when the Cliffe defence allowed 3 opponents to drift away from their markers and the ball was eventually poked home.

On 63 minutes Nelly Lambert intercepted a pass on the half-way line and played a neat one-two with Birch before sending a 35 yard thunderbolt into the corner of the net.

The game then became a little disjointed as both teams failed to make an impact until the ball fell to substitute Daz Batey who turned and hit the ball first-time from 30 yards into the top left corner of the net.

Skirlaugh then pressed for a goal to get back into this game and were rewarded on 89 minutes when Summers turned the ball into his own goal.

However, this was too little too late for the visitors and the final whistle sounded soon afterwards to give Cliffe a 4-3 victory.

Cliffe Team:
Brown, Hawksworth, Buck (C), Ford, Summers, Lonsdale, M. Birch, Lambert, Ellwood (Batey), Taylor, Worrillow (Lees).
Sub (Not Used): Gary Wilson.

Cliffe Scorers:
Taylor (Pen), M. Birch, Lambert, Batey.

Saturday afternoon both Cliffe FC teams did this title proud by winning both their fixtures.

The first XI beat Hornsea Town in Cup Competition 4 goals to 1 featuring a Baz Summers hat-trick and the trademark “Summers-sault” celebration
The second XI also won, at home, to Skirlaugh reserves beating them 4-3.

A great Saturday for Cliffe Football Club!

…full match reports, and match photos to follow shortly…

As the First XI’s game was postponed once more the Second XI’s match was the only Cliffe FC team in action.
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Cliffe FC’s second team were in action this weekend versus Flamborough’s reserves in the East Riding County Qualifying Country Cup, 2nd Round.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe prevailed 4-3 winners, the score seemingly misleading after the home side were comfortably 4-nil up until the last half-hour.

The game started with Cliffe the better side and took the lead through Luke Worrillow’s nice finish. Worrillow’s pace continued to be a massive problem for the Flamborough defence and many Cliffe half-chances went begging. The centre midfield pairing of Matt Birch and Craig Allen had little to deal with and Allen looked very comfortable at times on the ball, his only worry having to hurdle challenges. 1-nil to the home side at half time.

Cliffe doubled their lead with Byron Summers scoring inside the area, Richard Taylor made it 3-nil and after some nice inter-play between Byron Summers, Craig Allen and Tom Lonsdale, this lead to Lonsdale’s cross finding Allen at the edge of the area to score for 4-nil Cliffe and look like they would cruise through to the next round. After a few changes the away side began to get an upper hand, be it because Cliffe sat back or Flamborough stepped up but the final 25 minutes saw the away side score 3 goals to make a nervy last few minutes for the home side.

Cliffe saw out the win and progress to the next round. Once again, next week both Cliffe FC teams are *scheduled* to play. The firsts travel to Hornsea Town for a League Cup match and the 2nd XI entertain Skirlaugh at Cliffe park.

Cliffe Team:
M. Brown, M. Buck (C), M. Ford, J. Hawsworth, N. Summers, M. Birch, C. Allen, T. Lonsdale, B. Summers, R. Taylor, L. Worrillow
Subs:
A. Lees, D. Batey, L. Hallam

Cliffe Scorers:
Worrillow, B. Summers, R. Taylor, Allen

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HT: 2-0
FT: 8-2 W

Cliffe FC’s second team travelled to Brandesburton and ran out comfortable winners, despite finishing the game with 10 men.
Gary Wilson writes…

The home team started well, with Mark Brown needing to make a low save following a corner. However, after only 4 minutes Richard Taylor fed Tom Hogg down the left, who raced towards the goal and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

The lead was increased in the 24th minute as Taylor broke free and finished well.

Cliffe had the strong wind at their backs for the first half and struggled to make it pay as chances went begging, leaving the scoreline 0-2 at half time.

A defensive error in the 47th minute allowed Ian Beckram to dribble the ball through the defence and slot the ball home.

The unsavoury incident of the match came in the 53rd minute as Nathan Horner became involved in an altercation with an opponent, which resulted in both players deservedly being sent for an early bath.

To make matters worse, the home team scored from the resultant free-kick to give them a lifeline.

Almost immediately Cliffe scored again as a weak shot from Luke Crowther somehow got past the calamitous home goalkeeper.

Cliffe were now clearly on top and a defensive error led to the ball falling at the feet of Matt Birch, who had his first effort saved by the goalkeeper, but managed to slot home the rebound.

In the 68th minute Taylor fed Full Back Layton Hallam who ran down the wing and cut inside to score.

A minute later Tom Lonsdale fed Crowther who scored to make it 7-1.

The home side gained a consolation goal on 72 as they scored at the back post following a corner.

The final score of the game came when substitute Tom Ellwood had his shot saved and fellow sub Aaron Lees followed up to score from the rebound, with the subsequent goal celebration being the most entertaining of the day.

Next week Cliffe’s second team play hosts to Flamborough in the County cup.
Cliffe’s first team travel to face Total Sign Solutions in League action.

Cliffe Team:
Brown, Hallam, Buck, M Birch, Fenton, Lonsdale, Crowther, Beckram, Horner, R Taylor, Hogg
Subs - Ellwood, Lees, Fisher

Cliffe Scorers:
Crowther (2), Hogg, R Taylor, Beckram, M Birch, Hallam, Lees

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