Two performances full of positives, but results not what either Cliffe FC side wanted over the weekend. A narrow 2-1 loss on Saturday to Hemingbrough United, and a battling 4-1 defeat at defending champions Wigginton Grasshoppers on Sunday.
Saturday 3rd December 2016
York Minster Engineering League – Division One
HT: 0-0
FT: Cliffe FC 1 – 2 Hemingbrough United
A narrow derby sees Hemingbrough United come away with all three points, after completing a 2-1 comeback in the second half. The first half was a goalless affair, with the Collins brothers coming closest for both sides – Tom hitting the outside of the post for the team in red on a rare occasion he was able to escape the close attention of Kevin Taylor. Dan had a chance for the home side, a goal kick flicked on by Tom Grundy, Dan rounding the ‘keeper but the ball just ahead of him eventually his shot hitting the side netting. 0-0 was the HT score.
Cliffe had been guilty of starting second halves slowly, but started Saturday’s second-half strongly, and had the lead – Isaac Leach unleashing a shot that found it’s way into the top corner for 1-0. Cliffe knew Hemingbrough would respond, but continued to defend strongly with Paul Brown showing his best performance in a Cliffe shirt since signing. Sadly for Cliffe, man-of-the-match Joe Dack was forced off the field with a foot injury – a motivated Matthew Birch replaced him. Cliffe nearly doubled their lead, Tom Grundy seeing his long range effort hit the cross bar and clear, agonising for the home side. A throw-in from Hemingbrough’s left wing lead to a cross that was flicked into the back of the net for 1-1, Mike Brown claiming it. The game now looked like a draw would be a fair result, with only a special individual effort or error to decide the game, but as Cliffe’s luck this season has been at times this season, a goalkeeping lapse saw the away side get the winning goal – A Guy May shot evading stand-in keeper Scott Birch to put Hemingbrough ahead – a cruel blow. Cliffe pushed for an equaliser but time ran out, 1-2 FT.
The manner of performance is something to work with, and surely the results can improve if Cliffe are to drag themselves up the Division 1 table. Next Saturday it the long trip to Kirkbymoorside – whilst Cliffe FC Reserves will be hungry for a home win against Fulford.
Before Saturday’s match, both sides observed a minute’s silence in honour of in memory of the plane crash in Colombia last Monday which, among others, claimed the lives of players and officials of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense.
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Sunday 4th December 2016
York Sunday Morning League – Division 1
HT: 2-0
FT: Wigginton Grasshoppers 4 – 1 Cliffe FC Sunday
What seemed to look like another morning set up for a poor result, what followed was a galvanising performance that saw reigning champions Wigginton Grasshoppers have to work for their 4-1 win.
It was a cliche Sunday morning to drag a few lads out of bed for the away trip to Wigginton – Cliffe FC’s third trip to face Wiggy this season.
Cliffe defended stubbornly, and outworked the home side for the majority of the first half – Grasshoppers had the lead on the 26th minutes, a counter attack. It was 2-0 at HT, the second goal coming on the 35th minute. Cliffe had their chances, and it could’ve been level at half-time for sure.
Two quick goals after the hour mark saw Grasshoppers leap into a 4-0 lead, 65th and 67th minute penalty. Cliffe scored a deserved goal in the dying embers of the match – a goal from the right wing both Collins brothers claiming, 4-1 FT. MOTM: Matthew Birch.
Cliffe Football Club 
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