Clipstone v Thackley match report

Misses prove costly

Toolstation Northern Counties East – Premier Division
Saturday 7th January 2017
At The Worksop Van Hire Stadium, Clipstone
Clipstone FC (0) 1
Fox 65 pen
Thackley (1) 2
Broadbent 13, Eustance 77
Attendance: 75
Cobras’ Man of the Match: Jordan Joynson
Report by Jim McIntosh (@Realalerunner)

Thackley completed a league double over Clipstone in an entertaining game although the home side once again failed to capitalise on some great chances.

There were four changes to the side beaten at Worksop the previous Monday with George Milner, Steve McDonnell and James Ashmore dropping to the substitutes bench and Chris Fawcus unavailable. Nathan Forbes, Andrew Fox, Ellis Wall and Adam Shepherd all started in their places.

Clipstone started well and there was a very early chance for Nathan Joynes from an Ellis Wall cross but the striker was unable to get sufficient power behind his shot and it was easily dealt with by Thackley ‘keeper Luke Wilson.

Wall had an even better chance in the 5th minute when a slide rule pass from Keir Hannity left him one on one with Wilson but his placed shot was wide of the post.

These misses immediately proved costly when the visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when Joe Austin was caught in possession near his own area by Ryan Farrell. The latter crossed the ball to Thackley’s top scorer Daniel Broadbent top scorer who drilled the ball home from eight yards giving Jamie Bailey no chance.

George Eustance then had another chance for the visitors when he beat three players but his powerful shot was straight at Jamie Bailey.

The Cobras were enjoying plenty of possession and creating opportunities but when Wilson could only parry an Adam Shepherd shot from the edge of the box there was no one on hand to pick up the rebound.

Shepherd had an even better chance in the 26th minute when he intercepted an attempted clearance 20 yards from goal. He had time and space but his half volley was straight into the arms of the grateful Wilson.

The home side ended the first period in the ascendency despite being behind and when Nathan Joynes got his head to a Shepherd free kick and headed it back across the six yard box, Joe Austin was just unable to get up high enough to get direction on his header and it went wide of the target.

The last notable action of the half came when Nathan Forbes shot wide when well-placed 10 yards from goal.
Half Time 0-1

Thackley had the better of the opening period of the second half and Jamie bailey did well to deny Broadbent. Cobras man of the match Jordan Joynson was also the thick of the action and made several key interceptions to deny shooting opportunities.
Joynes then set up Hannity in the 52nd minute and the Cobras midfielder forced a good save from Luke Wilson.

There was controversy four minutes later when Joe Austin, in the Thackley penalty area for a corner, looked to be fouled as he attempted to get to a loose ball and fire it goal wards. Nothing was given by the referee and Austin was unable to continue and was replaced by Steve McDonnell.

Billy Fox reshuffled his line up with skipper Richard Patterson moving to the centre of defence and Patterson was immediately called into action as he denied Ryan Farrell as shooting chance.

Clipstone drew level when they were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute after substitute Steve McDonnell was fouled in the area by Kristian Hargreaves. Andrew Fox duly sent Wilson the wrong way with a well taken penalty. 1-1

Thackley responded immediately and Hannity put in an excellent saving tackle on Farrell after the latter had skipped past two defenders and was about to shoot from close range.

The visitors continued to press and Bailey did well to save a shot from full back Luke O’Brien that bounced awkwardly just in front of him.

Thackley grabbed the winner with 13 minutes remaining when the Cobras defence failed to clear a corner and George Eustance smashed the ball home from close range.

The expected assault in the last 10 minutes from Clipstone never really materialised and bailey was the busier keeper as he produced two fine saves to deny Farrell and Broadbent.

Joynes also did well when substitute Lamin Janneh broke form the half way line after a Clisptone attack broke down and although the defender was hampered by a slight leg injury he kept up with the Thackley player and prevented a third goal.

Full Time 1-2