Clipstone v AFC Mansfield match report

Honours even after pulsating local derby

Toolstation Northern Counties East – Premier Division
Tuesday 13th December 2016
At The Worksop Van Hire Stadium, Clipstone
Clipstone FC (0) 2
Milner 51, Patterson 73
AFC Mansfield (2) 2
Plummer 40, White pen 42
Attendance: 112

Cobras’ Man of the Match: Jordan Joynson
Report by Jim McIntosh (@Realalerunner)

A spirited second half come back saw the Cobras deservedly share the points and bragging rights in this pulsating local derby.
A great finish and soft penalty within three minutes at the end of the first half had given the ‘Bulls’ the lead at the interval, although the home side never gave up the fight and produced a much better second half performance with goals from George Milner and skipper Richard Patterson.

Cobras’ boss Billy Fox handed a debut to defender Jordan Joynson who gave an assured display which was enough to win him the ‘man of the match’ award just ahead of George Milner, Richard Haigh and Rob Paling.

In what must be a fairly rare event, the sides were skippered by two brothers – Richard Patterson for the Cobras whilst younger brother Danny led the Bulls (see picture of two captains at toss of coin).

Both sides had excellent chances to score in the first quarter of an hour. The home side won a free kick on six minutes that was launched into the box by Luke Randle and when Patterson squared the ball back across the box to Nathan Forbes, the latter couldn’t find the target.

The visitors hit back and a cross from Ryan Williams found top scorer Oliver Fearon unmarked but the striker headed over when well-placed.

George Milner was the most dangerous of the Cobras’ forwards and on 24 minutes he went on a great run and beat two defenders before being cynically fouled as he was about to cross. The free kick itself came to nothing.

Gary Bradshaw then shot wide for the Bulls on 32 minutes after another run and cross down the right hand side by Williams. However the visitors were being held at bay, partly because of Clipstone holding a tight line at free kicks resulting in AFC players getting caught offside on a number of occasions.

A long clearance on 34 minutes was chased down by the influential Bradshaw but Joynson stuck out a long leg at the right moment to dispossess the Bulls’ forward.

Bradshaw couldn’t be kept out of the action at this stage and he was booked a minute later for the second off the ball incident that he was involved in.

In a rare attack for Clipstone during this period, Forbes put in a great cross and when Jon D’Laryea’s attempted clearance hit his own player, the ball nearly fell to Reece Treasure but the Cobras forward wasn’t able to get to the loose ball.

AFC then took the lead on 40 minutes when a cross from Bradshaw was expertly finished by Matt Plummer who managed to wrap his foot around a ball that appeared initially to be going behind him and beat Jamie Bailey from close range. 0-1

AFC won a penalty with their next attack when Bradshaw deceived the referee as he went down very easily under a challenge from Andrew Fox when there was only minimal contact. The penalty was converted by AFC’s keeper Jason White.
Half Time 0-2

Clipstone made a change at half time with Steve McDonnell replacing Reece Treasure. Macca’s presence upfront started to cause the visitors more problems. Forbes then had the first chance of the second half after 49 minutes when he put in a good run but his subsequent shot went wide.

However the Cobras grabbed a goal back after 51 minutes when skipper Patterson put in a challenge near the AFC box and the ball ballooned up into the path of Milner who calmly chipped White from 12 yards. 1-2

The home side took control of the game at this point although they had a scare when Fearon got on the end of a cross after 65 minutes but was unable to score.

Clipstone deservedly drew level on 73 minutes after Andrew Fox was fouled near the penalty area. Milner’s free kick was whipped in and reached Patterson threw a melee of players. The Cobras skipper had lost his marker Grant Allott and his instinctive header found it’s way into the bottom corner of White’s goal. 2-2

Both sides went out in search of all three points in the final 15 minutes of the game. There were chances for the visitors for Fearon and substitute Lynton Karkach whilst Milner was unable to get enough on a header from a Randle cross and his attempt was straight at White.

In the final moments AFC had a penalty claim turned down although from the sidelines it looked a better shout than the one that was actually given.

The Cobras forced two corners in added time and when AFC cleared the second, Forbes won back possession and moved forward before setting up substitute Adam Somes but the latter’s shot was wide of the target.
Overall a draw was a fair reflection of the game but the Cobras will surely be the happier side after coming back from two goals down.
Full Time 2-2

The Cobras’ next game is away to Barton Town Old Boys on Saturday 17th December, 3pm. They then host near neighbours Worksop Town at the Worksop Van Hire Stadium on Monday 26 December, 3pm when a big crowd and great atmosphere is anticipated.