Worksop Town v Clipstone match report

Missed chances cost the Cobras dear

Toolstation Northern Counties East – Premier Division
Monday 2nd January 2017
At The Windsor Food Service Stadium, Worksop
Worksop Town (0) 2
Jordan 60, Scott 84
Clipstone FC (0) 1
Joynes 64
Cobras’ Man of the Match: Nathan Joynes
Report by Jim McIntosh (@Realalerunner)

Worksop avenged their 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at Clipstone as the Cobras suffered their first defeat on the road in over two months.
However the visitors could easily have taken points from this game if they had taken more than one of the numerous chances that they created.

Both Steve McDonnell and George Milner were guilty of missing good chances although the latter in particular was denied by two fine saves from Worksop ‘keeper Jon Kennedy.

Former Barnsley striker Nathan Joynes grabbed his first goal in only his second appearance for the Cobras and showed that he is an excellent leader of the line.

Keir Hannity had the first chance of the game after only two minutes after a strong run by Milner but the Cobras’ recent signing was unable to find the target.

At the other end Jamie Bailey had to save with his feet at the near post from Kyle Jordan after a ball over the top caught the Clipstone defence napping.

The Cobras then had a great chance when they broke quickly and good work by Hannity and McDonnell saw the ball fall to an unmarked Milner in the area but his shot, which looked to be heading wide of the post in any case, was deflected away by a defenders leg.

On 14 minutes tenacious play by Joynes saw him hold off several defenders and create a chance for McDonnell who screwed his shot wide of the upright.

Midway through the half James Ashmore played an excellent ball over the defence for Milner to run onto. The forward was one on one with Kennedy and the ‘keeper did well to spread himself and get a hand to the ball although it proved to be a miss that cost the Cobras dear.

The home side immediately created a chance themselves and good work by Adam Scott created a chance for Mitch Husbands but his shot was also off target.

McDonnell then had a hat-trick of chances to opening the scoring in the last 18 minutes of the first half but was unable to convert any of them. The best came on 27 minutes when a miskick by Richard Adams presented McDonnell with a one on one opportunity against Kennedy but in trying to dummy the ‘keeper the striker lost control of the ball and Kennedy recovered to claim the ball.
Husbands created another chance for the home side on 37 minutes when he beat Rob Paling down the left-hand side and it took a good interception by the reliable Chris Fawcus to put the ball behind for a corner.

As the first half ended Milner made good progress down the left and having reached the bye-line, pulled the ball back to Hannity who forced Kennedy to save the ball at his near post.
Half Time 0-0

The second period was only a minute old when Jamie Bailey produced a fine save to tip over a powerful shot from Worksop’s Kieron Fenton.

Adam Scott and Steve McDonnell then missed chances for the home and away side respectively and then a smart turn and shot by Joynes forced a good low save from Kennedy has both sides struggled to convert their chances.

The first goal eventually came on 60 minutes when Chris Fawcus, who looked to be victim of a slight push, slipped under pressure allowing Worksop captain Kyle Jordan to run into the box and chip the advancing Bailey. 1-0

However the visitors responded almost immediately and when a free kick was only partially cleared, Richard Haigh crossed the ball back in and Nathan Joynes finished from close range. 1-1

The Cobras continued to create more chances and substitute Nathan Forbes forced saves from Kennedy on 71 and 76 minutes. Sandwiched in between was another excellent chance for Milner who, having been put in by Hannity, tried to chip the ball over Kennedy but the Worksop ‘keeper did everything right and denied the Cobras’ forward again.

The killer blow came on 84 minutes when Rob Paling was unable to prevent a cross from the left and the ball reached Adam Scott who scored from close range. 2-1

There were no further clear cut chances for either side and the Clipstone players were left to contemplate the harsh reality that at any level of football you need to take your chances.

Full Time 2-1

The Cobras’ next game is at home to Thackley on Saturday 7 January, 3pm.