Central Midlands League
South
Clifton All Whites 3
Barrowby FC 2
Barrowby went into this second fixture of the season with renewed vigour after a week of mulling over an opening day defeat at Allenton.
All the hard preparation work seemed to have been to no avail when within the first five minutes Clifton went one up. A first time ball from the centre of the park found the right winger who, with a single touch in his stride, played a square ball to the on-coming Clifton striker to hit a first time shot into the bottom left hand corner.
The danger signs began to show for the visitors side as Davies was called into action on several occasions, pulling of a string of top class saves to keep the score down. Clifton’s pressure paid off and doubled their tally on 38 minutes. A throw from the right hand side saw a quick first time ball to a man breaking from midfield. He drove an angled shot across Davies into the bottom corner.
The second half started as the first half ended when within two minutes Clifton extended their lead. The ball broke straight through the middle of the Barrowby defence and the Clifton forward ran on unchallenged to lift a cheeky chip over the advancing Davies.
This goal seemed to rally the Barrowby team and they began to enjoy a large spell of possession. The Clifton rearguard held out until the hour mark when the visitors broke through. A long throw from Clarke was headed on by Payne for Stubbs to drill first time from close range.
Chances began to come thick and fast and Barrowby were denied a second when a close range header from Glencross was brilliantly parried away by the Clifton keeper. Barrowby were rewarded for their efforts when on 85 minutes they clawed a second goal back. A brilliantly delivered free kick from Clarke eluded everyone to find Payne lurking on the back post, who slid in to finish at a tight angle.
The last five minutes belonged to Barrowby and that deserved equaliser nearly came when the ball dropped just inside the box for Payne who, with limited time, had to drive the ball first time only to see it skim slightly over the bar.
Man of the match was Billy Stubbs.