Clipstone v Harrogate RA Match Report by Dan Walker

Cobras’ Boss Billy Fox made one change for the visit of Harrogate Railway to end the month of October, George Milner coming straight back into the side following an impressive substitute performance in the league cup third round win at Liversedge on Tuesday night.
Fraser Hansen was the first to test the Clipstone goalkeeper, Jamie Bailey, with a first time shot in the second minute before the Cobras’ Striker George Milner went close to opening the scoring following a delicious ball in from Fox.
Good Clipstone pressure came to nothing and Harrogate took the lead in the 17th minute through Dan Barrett. Barrett’s first shot was blocked by defender Chris Fawcus, before the re-bound which fell kindly again for Barrett who duly obliged and struck hard and low past the keeper.
Harrogate again had a chance to quickly make it 2-0, but an outstanding save from Jamie Bailey denied Paul Beesley midway through the first half.
From the resulting corner Mike Morris headed over the bar and there looked to be a penalty shout from Harrogate after a challenge from Cardwell but the referee waved away the protests.
Clipstone through Ellis Wall went on the breakaway, Wall’s determination found Nodder whose pass went to the lively Milner who couldn’t find his strike partner and new signing Jack Siddall with his cross into the box.
Stephen Bromley doubled the Railway’s lead from a tricky run by Chris Ovington who found himself on the by-line to pass it square into the 6 yard box for a simple finish.
With Harrogate on the hunt for a third, Clipstone changed their tactics and went to a 4231 formation. After 30 minutes and some good pressure from the home side the ball fell perfectly for midfielder Ellis Wall who chested it down and hit it first time on the volley which thundered into the back of the net!
You could sense that Clipstone had taken momentum from the goal and some great play from Josh Nodder on the halfway line turning two Harrogate midfielders put Clipstone on the attack. Striker Siddall broke the offside trap and attempted to chip the goalkeeper on the edge of the box but his dipping shot just missed the open goal.
Harrogate hit back with a spell of pressure, including a great cross from Hansen who found Beesley unmarked but headed straight at the goalkeeper.
Half time 1 - 2.
The Cobras’ started the second half on top with Nodder causing trouble. His delightful pass found Milner who opted to try and dribble past the goalkeeper rather than shooting first time, with goalkeeper Ben Ledger smothering the ball.
In the 52nd minute Siddall’s tricky run laid it off to Nodder whose shot went wide. Had Nodder looked over his shoulder he would have found Michael Trench who seemed to be in a better position to take a shot on goal.
Harrogate used both the wings well and one cross found Beesley in the box, with the resulting header going wide and not testing Bailey as it should have done.
Another counter attack from Clipstone saw Milner break through, he played the ball wide to Trench whose sweet strike went narrowly past the post. Milner again was in the action, this time his quick thinking at the throw in found Andrew Fox open on the edge of the box, he instead tried to pass to goal scorer Wall but the defender managed to get the tackle in.
In the 56th Minute Brandon Cardwell was brought down in the box and referee Paul Buck awarded a penalty. Josh Nodder stepped up and skied the ball high over the bar.
The penalty miss didn’t seem to effect Nodder who was causing the Harrogate team trouble all through the game. On 65 minutes, Milner took advantage of his first real opportunity in the second half to level the game, with a beautifully struck shot into the bottom corner.
Nathan Forbes was introduced for the tiring Siddall soon after the goal, he didn’t need long to have his first chance of the game after Nodder found Forbes on the edge of the box, but he couldn’t get enough curl on the ball to put it into the corner of the net.
Clipstone seemed to have the momentum with them and were looking good value for all 3 points. Nodder fired over from some good play by Milner & then Forbes chested down a good pass from substitute Ashmore turned his defender and fired low but Keeper Ledger saved.
In the 80th minute the game began to become end to end and Harrogate had their first opportunity for a while through Beesley, his shot was parried by Bailey and fell straight into the path of Ovington who taps in, Harrogate’s celebration was short lived though when they realised the linesman had his flag up for offside.
With both teams pushing for the winner, Clipstone captain Richard Patterson found space 25 yards out and his shot teased the home fans only just missing the goal.
A minute later the Cobras thought they had scored when the ball was put into the net after a scramble in the box. However, the referee made the correct decision in whistling for a foul on the goalkeeper by Cardwell.
Toby Lees was then heavily involved at the other end on 87 minutes as the Rail grabbed the lead. The young right back danced through the Cobras’ defence and then put the ball back into the danger area for Beesley to finally get the goal he had be craving.
Four minutes of added time saw Harrogate professionally keep the Cobras at bay, seeing off efforts from Paling & Milner to see them register the three points.
Full Time: Clipstone 2 Harrogate Railway Athletic 3
Man of the match : George Milner (pictured)