Clipstone v Worksop Town match report

A memorable Boxing Day victory in front of the biggest crowd of the season

Toolstation Northern Counties East – Premier Division
Monday 26th December 2016
At The Worksop Van Hire Stadium, Clipstone
Clipstone FC (1) 3
Patterson 36, Fox 79, McDonnell 84
Worksop Town (0) 0
Attendance: 262
Cobras’ Man of the Match: Keir Hannity
Report by Jim McIntosh (@Realalerunner)

Clipstone recorded a memorable Boxing Day victory over local rivals Worksop Town in front of 262 spectators, their biggest crowd of the season.

The Cobras supporters were given late Christmas presents in the form of two new signings - former Barnsley striker Nathan Joynes and midfielder Keir Hannity who has recently returned from four years in the USA at University where he also played for New Orleans Jesters. Both players were involved in significant moments of the game that contributed to the Cobras’ victory.

Clipstone spent much of the first 20 minutes mainly in their own half as the visitors started strongly. They created the first real chance after nine minutes when Mitch Husbands forced a good low save from Jamie Bailey at his near post.

After a miskick by Worksop’s Aaron Pickersgill nearly presented Nathan Joynes with an early opportunity to grab his first goal for the Cobras, the visitors attacked down their left hand side and when Bailey’s initial save pushed the ball upwards in the six yard box, Chris Fawcus was on hand to head the ball out for a corner.

Clipstone then started to win the midfield battle with Hannity, Richard Patterson and Andrew Fox linking well whilst Nathan Joynes showed good ability to hold the ball up when required and bring team mates into the game. On 28 minutes Joynes played George Milner in and the Cobras’ forward beat one man as he ran across the box looking to get his shot in. However he was driven wide and, with less of the goal to aim for, his shot was blocked by a defender.

At the other end Worksop’s Adam Scott then had a 25-yard shot that had ‘goal’ written all over it until Bailey managed to get his finger tips to it and produce an excellent save to tip the ball over the bar.

Cobras’ skipper Richard Patterson then forced a save from Jon Kennedy after neat interplay involving Joynes, Milner and Fox. Patterson then opened the scoring after 36 minutes when he fired the ball past Kennedy after good build up play by Hannity and Milner had found him in space in the box. 1-0

Defender Richard Haigh then missed a golden opportunity to grab a second for Clipstone three minutes later when a ball by Nathan Forbes found Hannity who crossed to Haigh but Kennedy saved with his knee.

The last significant action of the first half saw Forbes force another save from Kennedy with a strike form the edge of the box as the home side finished the half strongly.
Half Time 1-0

Both sides had good chances in the second period but goals in the last 11 minutes eventually secured all three points for the Cobras.

Adam Scott looked the most likely Worksop player to score and he found the side netting after 47 minutes as the visitors capitalised on a weak Joe Austin back pass. Bailey then did well to deny Scott at his near post a few minutes later.
Nathan Joynes then showed his quality when he turned his marker and played the ball inside for George Milner whose shot was just wide of the far post.

With 65 minutes gone Worksop captain Kyle Jordan had an excellent chance to level when a cross from the left found him unmarked in the area but his shot was well over Bailey’s crossbar.

The visitors continued to press for an equaliser and a shot by Jack Waddle form the edge of the area forced a good low save from Bailey as he pushed the ball round the post. The Cobras’ ‘keeper was again in action as he punched the resulting corner clear.

Billy Fox made his first two substitutions as Steve McDonnell (pictured) and Jordan Joynson replaced Forbes and Austin respectively. George Milner then had another good chance for the Cobras after turning his defender but his shot was well wide.

The much-needed second goal eventually came on 79 minutes when Joynes won back possession and put McDonnell away down the left. The latter then pulled the ball back to the edge of the area and Andrew Fox’s well-placed shot found the corner of the goal.
2-0

McDonnell then grabbed a third for Clipstone five minutes later when Joynes again found him with a neat flick on. The substitute still had plenty of work to do as he checked back in the area to wrong foot his marker and beat Kennedy with a powerful drive. 3-0

To make matters worse for Worksop, they had Richard Adams sent off with four minutes left for a high challenge.
Full Time 3-0

The Cobras’ next game is away to Worksop Town on Monday 2 January, 3pm. They are then at home to Thackley on Saturday 7 January, 3pm.