9th February 2008

HT: 1-3
FT: 3-3
1st ET : 3-3
2nd ET: 3-4
AET : 3-4

Cliffe FC, after having not played a match fixture in 2008, went into the East Riding County Cup Quarter Final against Bridlington Tigers, on the back of a 5-4 loss back on 29th December.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe started very slowly and were nearly punished when Bridlington scored a header from a corner but it was ruled out for a foul. This early let-off did not spring Cliffe into action and soon Bridlington came forward. Cliffe defender, Andy Moughan, was adjudged to have felled the visiting forward at his second attempt at winning the ball, even though there was no appeal from the Bridlington players. The resulting penalty was put into the net for 1-0 to the visitors. Cliffe continued to be the second best side and a freekick given away by Matt Birch, which resulted a booking, led to the visitors second goal despite the fact home ‘keeper, Ally Harris, made a tremendous double save before the ball was put into the net for 2-0. Cliffe were soon down by three when a cross from the right found its way to the Bridlington forward to be finished for 3-0. Cliffe finally decided to kick into gear, after 20 minutes play and 3-nil down, and started to carve out some better play and with a move started by Matt Birch that Tom Hogg squared into the six yard box for Rune Eriksen to tap in for 1-3. Cliffe had the better for the rest of the half and the score at half-time still read 3-1 to the visitors.

Cliffe FC manager, Keith Tiplady, made fully aware to his players of the fact that Cliffe have found themselves to give head-starts away to teams, like in their other two previous defeats to Gilberdyke, and been unable to come back to win the match. Cliffe had a mountain to climb. The second half began and Cliffe showed why they had peaked their division this season and got as far as they have and the visitors didn’t get a chance at goal. Eriksen squandered a one-on-one with half an hour left. The time ticked on and Cliffe pushed and pushed for their second putting both their top scorer, Chris Walker, and young forward, Byron Summers on the field. The home side did indeed scored their second, through Hogg when he smashed a shot through the ‘keeper into the net, 2-3, about 10 minutes remained in the 90. Hogg soon had his brace when Dave Heron, with one of his many piercing runs down the right flank, squared for Dave Evans to shield the cross for, the tireless, Hogg to put into the net. 3-3 with five minutes of the 90 left. The full-time whistle blew and an extra 30 was to be played.

The first half of extra time came and went with few clear cut chances for either side. Cramp though did set in for a few Cliffe players and soon the teams turned around for the second extra 15 minutes. Cliffe shuffled the pack and moved Kev Taylor into the middle of the park where he did a good job in there. Cliffe continued to push without really creating anything, both teams and managers getting ready for penalties. Bridlington won a corner with 119 minutes on the clock, Cliffe put it behind for another, Moughan, cramp and all, cleared from under the crossbar, the third was crossed in from the right, the header was won at the near post by a Bridlington forward and the home side’s hearts were broken. With only moments remaining Cliffe tried for an eqauliser but their efforts were futile and the final whistle blew. Bridlington winning the tie 4-3 after extra time.

Cliffe will rue the fact they gave away a three goal head start for the third time this season, and for the third time, lost. I’m sure Cliffe’s player will learn from this heartbreak and will need to regain some sort of form, next week in the league, and in a fortnight where they have another quarter final, this time in the Harold Robinson Memorial Cup. Many Thanks goes to Cliffe FC sponsors The Bread Bin and Pure-Silk and The New Inn for their hospitality. For extended match report and pictures, visit cliffefc.com

Cliffe Team:
A. Harris, M. Birch, N. Horner (Summers), D. Evans, A. Moughan, S. Birch, A. Kirkham (Fisher), D. Heron, K. Taylor, R. Eriksen (Walker), T. Hogg

Cliffe Scorers:
T. Hogg (2), R. Eriksen

Cliffe Bookings:
M. Birch, C. Walker

Filed under: Match Reports by Malcolm Bryce