Parkgate v Clipstone match report

Business as Usual for Clipstone as they take all three points

14 January 2017

Parkgate 1 – 2 Clipstone match report by Dan Walker

It was business as usual for Clipstone on Saturday as they took all three points ending what had been an eventful week for the visitors. An excellent 2-1 victory meant that the Cobras did the league double over Parkgate following a 3-1 home victory in August and moves them up to 12th place in the league.

Manager Billy Fox made 3 changes from the game against Thackley the previous weekend, bringing in Chris Fawcus, James Ashmore & Martin Brissett.

The opening 15 minutes were largely uneventful, although Clipstone had plenty of possession, but efforts from Richard Patterson, Nathan Forbes and Andrew Fox were restricted from distance.

Parkgate’s first real chance came in the 22nd minute after some great passing from the home team found Ben Thornton, whose shot tested Clipstone goalkeeper Jamie Bailey.

The home-side started to find some momentum and Chris Simpkins was heavily involved at the other end after a great interception. The left back intercepted the ball brilliantly and found winger Kieran Hirst whose effort from around 25 yards flew past Bailey and into the net. 1-0

Parkgate’s celebrations were short lived however as a minute later, Nathan Forbes with a driving run found Ellis Wall shaping up to shoot from inside the box, before a mistimed tackle left the referee with an easy call to award Clipstone a penalty. Andrew Fox took the responsibility and fired home to the keepers right. 1-1

For the remainder of the half, the Cobras looked the brighter side and missed a great opportunity to take the lead just before half time. A James Ashmore corner caused havoc in the penalty area, with the ball eventually finding its way to defender Joe Austin, who just couldn’t get the strike away for what seemed a certain goal.

Clipstone started the second period brightly, with two chances falling to substitute McDonnell, who had replaced Martin Brissett at half time, in the first 5 minutes.

Parkgate tried to counter the Clipstone pressure by taking off goal scorer Hurst & bringing on Lebrun Mbeka to strengthen their midfield presence. Clipstone were rewarded for their dominance though in the 58th minute, with a stunning long distance shot struck by Ellis Wall which found the bottom right of the goal to give the Cobra’s the lead. 1-2

Twice in the space of 5 minutes saw Parkgate try for the equaliser. Josh Dacre with the first effort, and a magnificent cross from right back Jed McGowan found substitute Mbeka who headed narrowly wide.

Adam Shepherd & Ellis Wall linked up well throughout the game and caused Parkgate endless problems, with Wall again testing goalkeeper Ben Hunter from distance and forcing a corner kick. Ashmore with some quick thinking from the resulting corner played the ball to Forbes whose shot was blocked in the six yard box.

The Cobras were now in the ascendency and broke through again, this time with substitute striker George Milner who had replaced Nathan Forbes testing the speed of Nick Senior whose outstanding tackle must have denied Milner his first of the game and Clipstone’s third.

Parkgate’s final push came on the 80th minute mark when they broke through Ben Thornton, his powerful shot looked destined for goal but went narrowly wide of the upright.

In the 83rd minute the supporters felt as though déjà vu occurred when Ellis Wall was again bundled down under a clumsy challenge and the referee awarded another penalty to give Clipstone the chance to end any hopes of a Parkgate comeback. Andrew Fox again faced Ben Hunter but this time Hunter was left celebrating as Fox’s effort rebounded off the inside of the post, having sent the keeper the wrong way.

Clipstone professionally saw out the closing minutes with Bailey commanding his area to ensure all the points went to the Cobras. After the final whistle, the Cobras players joined with Billy Fox and Dave Paling for a celebratory photograph, all showing their support for the club.

Full Time Parkgate FC 1 Clipstone FC 2
Attendance 95