Linby CW FC 1 Clifton FC 3

K.McDermott

Linby deserved at least a draw from this full blooded encounter against the new leaders of the NSL Senior Division, in front of a good sized crowd, estimated at 100.

The first half was a goalless, very tight affair, the two most chances of note being on 14 minutes, when a good Linby move ended with Nick Davies bringing a good save out of John Marriott in Clifton's Goal. Danny Gunn then had a golden opportunity to fire Clifton into the lead on 20 minutes, but he fired wide.

It was the second half which brought on the drama. On 50 minutes home custodian Craig Lear saved well from a quickly taken Michael Evans free kick, but it was Linby who took the lead 8 minutes later. A swift break saw Davies pick out striker Ross Cheeseman who's shot was saved by Marriott. Clifton skipper Mike Holtham looked as if he had the loose ball under control, but under pressure from Cheesman he slipped and was robbed by the livewire Kyle McDernott, who fired home from the acutest of angles, 1-0.

The turning point of the match came in the 68th minute, when Jake Keetley was deemed to have brought down the theatrically diving Michael Evans in the Linby box. The Referee pointed to the spot and the same player stepped up to send Lear the wrong way and level the scores.

After Lear had palmed a cross onto his own bar, a Linby counter attack involving substitute Ash Keetley and McDermott saw Davies cross for Cheeseman, whose back post volley was wide of the mark.

If anything the strength of the Clifton bench had the final say in an enthralling match, as Sub Ashley Way finished superbly at the far post in the 86th minute after a sweeping Clifton counter attack.

Linby didn’t deserve a third goal against them in stoppage time as they pushed forward for an equaliser. Karl Mitchell slotting home well as Linby committed men forward.

Linby pushed an excellent Clifton side to the wire, but can't dwell on what could have been. Ross Cheesemans “second” first team debut, was superb, and shows how much he has progressed since his first spell at Linby.

Line-Up (4-4-2)

Lear/
Hardy, Horton, Elson, Dickens/
Davies, J.Keetley, Campbell, McDermott/
Martin, Cheeseman

Subs:

A.Keetley (for Elson 63mins)
Walters
Ebanks

MOM: MCDERMOTT