As part of the build-up toward Wednesday evening’s York League Junior Cup Final vs. York Acorn FC – Flashback Friday makes a special return to look back at Cliffe FC’s previous appearance in a Cup Final…

3rd May 2008 – Harold Robinson Memorial Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys

Cliffe FC Team from that day…
A. Harris, K. Simpson, M. Birch, D. Evans, A. Moughan, S. Birch, A. Kirkham (Sowden), K. Taylor, D. Heron (Summers), A. Jackson (Walker), T. Hogg
Cliffe FC Scorers:
T. Hogg (3), D. Heron, A. Jackson, B. SummersRecent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – League Junior Cup Semi-Final
HT: 0-2
FT: Tadcaster Magnets 1 – 2 Cliffe FC

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Cliffe FC progress to the York League Junior Cup Final after a deserved 2-1 away win at Tadcaster Magnets, Chris Jackson scoring both goals and centre-half Iain Dickson earning man-of-the-match.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Last night proved what we’ve known all along, that we are capable of such things. Every single player gave their all for the club and each other, it was a joy.

~ Keith Tiplady, 14th May 2013.

Cliffe FC named an unchanged starting-XI from Saturday’s victory over Heslington and they came out of the blocks sharper than a Magnets side that had already won Division Two and the York FA Junior Cup this season. Cliffe had the lead within 10-minutes, Ian Beckram breaking through and unselfishly putting Chris Jackson through who, at the second attempt, smashed his shot past two defenders and the ‘keeper to put Keith Tiplady’s side ahead, 0-1. Cliffe continued to look the side more likely to score the next goal – Tom Hogg hitting the crossbar via a shot-cross. Soon though Magnets found themselves 0-2 down, Jackson towering above the ‘keeper and heading the ball into the net – silencing the home contingent. Jackson was unlucky not to earn a penalty, breaking clear through and looked to be felled but the linesman disagreed with the Cliffe touchline. 0-2 was the scoreline at the break, HT.

Magnets were always going to look for an early goal in the second-half but Cliffe continued to have a threat going forward with Hogg having a shot saved at close range, Magnets did get their goal near the hour-mark – a corner that broke to the back post that was converted into the net, 1-2. Every single player in a Cliffe shirt continued to work hard and a strong substitutes bench was vital as Cliffe had to soak up and inevitable bout of Magnets pressure in the final minutes, the home side’s ‘keeper coming up for at least four set-pieces – Cliffe ‘keeper Dave Laverack and centre-halves Nathan Parker and Iain Dickson stayed strong throughout. Cliffe had to endure around 7-minutes of injury-time pressure but held out for a well deserved and hard fought win to confirm their place in the York League Junior Cup Final, 1-2 FT.

York League Junior Cup Final – WEDNESDAY 22nd May 2013, 7pm kick-off @ Tadcaster Magnets.
York Acorn FC vs. Cliffe FC
York League Junior Cup Final – Cliffe FC vs. Acorn – Tuesday, 21st May (Venue TBC)
- Stay tuned to CliffeFC.com & Facebook.com/CliffeFC for the latest news…

Cliffe FC:
Laverack, Atton, Tanton, Parker, Dickson, Durnin (C), Pearce (Harkin), Beckram (Carter), Taylor (Rawson), Hogg, Jackson.
Unused subs – N. Leach.
Cliffe FC Goals: Jackson (2).
Cliffe FC MOTM: Iain Dickson.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – League Junior Cup 3rd Round (Quarter Final)
HT: 2-0
FT: Cliffe FC 4 – 1 Heslington

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Cliffe FC progress to Monday evening’s League Cup Semi-Final away to Tadcaster Magnets with a competent 4-1 win, a Chris Jackson hat-trick and Ian Beckram completing the scoring.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe FC had the chance to borrow Selby Town FC’s Rigid Group stadium for the day and within the opening exchanges the Selby-side had the lead, Tom Hogg rising above the onrushing Heslington ‘keeper which lead to Ian Beckram putting the ball into the net from 25 yards with a left-footed controlled volley, 1-0. Cliffe defended efficiently and Hogg assisted the second goal, putting Chris Jackson through who calmly slotted the ball under the ‘keeper for 2-0 at the half-time break, HT.

Heslington grabbed the opening goal of the second interval via a penalty spot after Dave Laverack clattered the Heslington forward, the away side neatly tucked the penalty away for 2-1. Cliffe reaffirmed their lead with a superb first-time hit from Jackson to make the scoreline 3-1 and Jackson completed his hat-trick rounding the ‘keeper and finishing via the outside of the boot to confirm Cliffe’s place in Monday evening’s semi-final against Tadcaster Magnets, 4-1 FT. Tom Hogg was deservedly handed man-of-the-match. Many thanks to Selby Town FC for their hospitality and use of their facilities.

Monday 13th May, 6:30pm Kick Off – York League Junior Cup – Semi-Final: Tadcaster Magnets vs. Cliffe FC

Cliffe FC:
Laverack, Atton, Tanton, Parker, Dickson, Durnin (C), Pearce, Beckram (Dunning), Taylor (Kirkham), Hogg, Jackson (S. Gallagher).
Unused subs – N. Leach, Ransome.
Cliffe FC Goals: Jackson (3), Beckram.
Cliffe FC MOTM: Tom Hogg.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – League Junior Cup 2nd Round
HT: 0-0
FT: Crayke 2 – 3 Cliffe FC

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Cliffe FC progress to face Heslington in the next round of League Cup with a 3-2 away win at Crayke, coming back from 2-1 down to win the tie.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe FC were the side on top during the first interval but Crayke did contain a threat on the counter, calling Dave Laverack into action a few times to make a save. Cliffe came close with headed chances going begging for Tom Hogg and Lee Carter and young forward Sean Gallagher carved out a couple of chances of his own. The tie remained goal-less at the break, 0-0 HT.

Crayke opened the scoring within 90 seconds of the restart a shot that moved massively in-the-air to wrong-foot Laverack and put the home-side ahead, 1-0. Kev Taylor let a chance go begging but quickly made up for it, breaking into the box and unleashing a left-foot rocket past the ‘keeper and to bring Cliffe level, 1-1.

Cliffe then began to keep the Crayke ‘keeper busy but the home side’s #1 made three good saves to which his side responded by re-taking the lead via a long-range effort that found it’s way through a crowd and into the bottom corner, 2-1. There remained plenty of time on the clock and the tie was soon level again – Hogg rising above both defender and ‘keeper heading the ball into the net for 2-2.

Cliffe had a foot-hold on the game and Crayke’s excellent playing surface aided Cliffe’s passing style as well as a welcome return of Billy Atton’s surging-style on the right-wing combined with Taylor. The all-important goal came via another header – Carter towering above three defenders and even clearing out his own team-mate Iain Dickson to powerfully head Cliffe into a 3-2 lead. Man-of-the-match Ian Beckram had the best chance of the final minutes, his left-footed effort crashing off the bar, 2-3 FT.

Cliffe FC now progress to the Third Round of the York League Junior Cup – a home tie versus Heslington awaits them.
Cliffe FC vs. Heslington – Saturday 11th May 2013, 2:30pm kick-off (TBC).

Cliffe FC:
Laverack, Atton, Kirkham (J. Gallagher), Parker, Dickson, Pearce, Beckram, Taylor, Hogg, S. Gallagher (Grundy) Carter (Tiplady).
Cliffe FC Goals: Taylor, Hogg, Carter.
Cliffe FC MOTM: Kevin Taylor.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Reserve D
HT: 0-3
FT: Tadcaster Town Reserves 0 – 3 Cliffe FC Reserves

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A first-half hat-trick from Ben Rawson decides Cliffe FC Reserves’ final game of the season – A win which saw them secure 4th-place in York League Reserve ‘D’ table.
Hugo Delgado writes…

“What a performance! The boys have been outstanding, I was so impressed with the young players tonight, they produced a real footballing performance against a very physical side. That’s a great way to end our season, seeing the football we’ve played tonight makes eager to get going again next season, it holds much promise for us.”

~ Dave Hebson, 1st May 2013.

Cliffe FC Reserves fielded a team brimming with youth in their final league game of the season but it was veteran striker Ben Rawson who stole the limelight with first half hat trick, ably assisted by Jay Grundy. Rawson opened the scoring after tapping in at the far post from a pin point Grundy cross from the right touch line that had come about after Sean Gallagher, Nathan Leach and Andy Kirkham combined to produce a nice piece of flowing football, 0-1. Rawson’s second was a towering header from a perfectly delivered Marc Brown free kick, 0-2. Rawson then put the game to bed after Grundy again turned provider playing a cushioned volley into the path of Rawson’s run to put him through one in one with the keeper – Rawson used all his experience to stay cool and calmly slot the ball home past the keeper via the inside of the upright, 0-3. The only dampner of the game was the red card both to Ryan Tiplady and Tadcaster Town’s Reserves skipper which reduced both teams to 10-men for the final minutes. Three-nil was both the half-time and full-time score.

Cliffe FC Reserves:
Beckram, Brown, Tiplady, Birch (C), J. Gallagher, N. Leach, Kirkham, S. Gallagher (Ransome), Williams, Rawson (Sutherland), Grundy (S. Leach)
Cliffe FC Goals: Ben Rawson (3).
Cliffe FC MOTM: Matt Birch.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Reserve D
HT: 0-1
FT: F1 Racing Reserves 1 – 2 Cliffe FC Reserves

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A Ryan Tiplady first half free-kick and a Nigel Horner second-half winner seals the points for Cliffe FC Reserves against F1 Racing Reserves.
Hugo Delgado writes…

“That was an outstanding performance, the lads were full of running and the football was some of the best we’ve played this season, a great win that should now allow us to finish above F1 this season.”

~ Dave Hebson, 27th April 2013.

After a loss of form during the last couple of weeks Cliffe FC Reserves turned a performance right out of the top drawer, producing a wonderful free flowing, attacking brand of football.
The scoring was opened through a drilled Ryan Tiplady free-kick midway through the first-half, 0-1. Cliffe were well on top after the opening goal and utilised their wide men to carve open F1 seemingly at will with Andy Kirkham being particularly instrumental.

The second-half saw an F1 equaliser from the penalty spot after the F1 #9 went down easily in the area after contact from stand-in keeper Ian Beckram, 1-1. Cliffe were quickly back on front through Nigel Horner who calmly volleyed home after Kirkham had again carved an opening, 1-2 FT.

Cliffe FC Reserves close their 2012/13 campaign tomorrow (Monday) evening, when they travel to face Tadcaster Town Reserves, 6:30pm kick-off.
Cliffe FC first team travel to face Crayke in League Cup action on Wednesday evening (6:30pm KO) – the winners of Wednesday’s tie face Saturday’s conquerors of Selby Olympia, Heslington.

Cliffe FC Reserves:
Beckram, Brown, Tiplady, Parker, Dickson, R. Taylor (C), White, Kirkham, J. Gallagher (Williams), Ni Horner, Grundy.
Unused subs: Lees, Lancaster.
Cliffe Goals: Tiplady, Ni Horner.
Cliffe FC MOTM: Andy Kirkham.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Division Two
HT: 0-1
FT: Stamford Bridge 0 – 3 Cliffe FC

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Cliffe FC close their league campaign with a 3-0 away win at Stamford Bridge, 16-year-old Sean Gallagher gaining all the plaudits for his two goals and the assist for the third goal.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe opened scoring near the half-hour mark, Kev Taylor beating the offside trap and rounding the ‘keeper but having taken the ball to a tight angle with the ‘keeper scrambling back to make numerous saves – Taylor passed to Sean Gallagher who slotted the ball home for 0-1 to the away side. The Cliffe centre-back pairing of Nathan Parker and Tom Hogg began to tidily deal with any ‘Bridge threat as the score read 0-1 at the break, HT.

Sean Gallagher wasn’t the only 16-year-old to shine as Keith Tiplady’s side featured three more young starlets (the same four that featured in this season’s League Cup win versus Elvington) in the shape of Nathan Leach that did well in the middle of midfield, Ryan Sutherland on his second senior start this week and Callum Ransome who came close direct from a corner after coming off the bench second-half. Sean Gallagher made it 0-2 with a finish from the edge of the box to extend Cliffe’s lead and it was the assist for the third that sealed Sean the man-of-the-match award, a splendid ball from the outside of the right boot into the path of Lee Carter who calmly tucked the chance away to make the final score 0-3, FT.

A good win for Cliffe FC to end their, albeit disappointing, Division Two 2012/13 campaign but a good morale boost for next Wednesday’s League Junior Cup tie away to Crayke – Wednesday 1st May, 6:30pm KO.
Cliffe FC Reserves travel to face F1 Racing Reserves this weekend and face Tadcaster Town Reserves away next Monday to close out their Reserve D campaign.

Cliffe FC:
Laverack, J. Gallagher, Hebson, Parker, Hogg, Durnin (C), N. Leach, Taylor, Sutherland (Ransome), S. Gallagher, Carter.
Unused sub: Pearce.
Cliffe FC Goals: S. Gallagher (2), Carter.
Cliffe FC MOTM: Sean Gallagher.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Division Two
HT: 1-0
FT: Strensall 5 – 1 Cliffe FC

York Minster Engineering Football League – Reserve D
HT: 1-0
FT: Cliffe FC Reserves 1 – 3 Bishop Wilton Reserves

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Both Cliffe FC sides suffer defeat on another woeful pair of midweek fixtures, Strensall winning 5-1 and Bishop Wilton Reserves winning 3-1.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

Cliffe failed to get started at Strensall as the home side lead 1-0 at the break via a close range effort and when Strensall raced into a 3-0 lead early in the second half as Cliffe still performed way under-par as Strensall bagged two more goals. Adam Durnin neatly finished for Cliffe consolation goal, 5-1 FT. MOTM: Matthew Birch.

Elsewhere, Cliffe FC Reserves took the lead through a long kick from goalkeeper Dave Laverack that bounced over the Bishop Wilton keeper, directly into the goal to open scoring. Cliffe were unable to assert themselves and an equaliser followed in the second half, 1-1, more poor work by Cliffe allowed Bishop Wilton to get a 2nd and 3rd for a final score of 3-1. MOTM: Dave Laverack.

Cliffe FC first team close their Division Two campaign tomorrow (Wednesday) at Stamford Bridge whilst Cliffe FC Reserves have two remaining Reserve D fixtures – Saturday away at F1 Racing Reserves and next Monday at Tadcaster Town Reserves.

Remaining Fixtures;
Wed 24/04 18:30 Stamford Bridge v CLIFFE
Sat 27/04 F1 Racing Res v CLIFFE RES
Mon 29/04 18:30 Tadcaster Town Res v CLIFFE RES
Wed 01/05 18:30 Crayke v CLIFFE (League Junior Cup)

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Reserve D
HT: 2-1
FT: St Clements Reserves 5 – 2 Cliffe FC Reserves

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Defensive errors proved costly as St Clements strengthen their promotion hopes whilst dealing a seemingly fatal blow to Cliffe FC Reserves promotion hopes in a 5-2 scoreline.
Hugo Delgado writes…

“It’s been a season with a lot of positives, today ends our promotion hopes but we will be very strong next season. I’m looking forward to it already! Our best wishes go to St Clements who deserve to get the promotion spot this year.”

~ Dave Hebson, 20th April 2013.

St Clements opened the scoring after Joe White headed into his own net from a free-kick tossed into the back post, 1-0. St Clements were enjoying the lion’s share of possession early on and out-worked Cliffe. However Cliffe started to find their feet started moving the ball well before Jay Grundy scored a thunderbolt volley from a corner to level the scores, 1-1. With Cliffe now well on top it seemed only one side would go on to win. In the final minute of the 1st-half St Clements knocked a seemingly innocuous ball over the top but unfortunately centre-half Marc Brown and ‘keeper Ally Harris failed to communicate when the latter rushed out to sweep up and ended up leaving it for each other, St Clements tapped in for 2-1, HT.

St Clements started the 2nd-half strongly and Cliffe seemed to lose their heads conceding two more really soft goals in the space of five mins to go 4-1 down. A change to a 4-3-3 saw Cliffe dominate possession and get a goal back from Joe White. A number of chances followed and a comeback looked a possibility but Cliffe were unable to finish their chances. A further change to 3-3-4 saw Cliffe throw the kitchen sink at St Clements but still unable to get back into the match as the home side rounded off scoring, 5-2. A final act of desperation saw manager Dave Hebson put himself on up front but still to no avail, 5-2 FT.

Cliffe FC Reserves:
Harris, Tiplady (N. Leach), Gallagher, Brown (Sutherland), Birch (C), K. Taylor, White, Carter, Grundy, Ni Horner (Hebson), Bodycombe.
Goals: Grundy, White.
MOTM: Toby Bodycombe.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013

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York Minster Engineering Football League – Division Two
HT: 2-0
FT: Tadcaster Magnets 6 – 0 Cliffe FC

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Cliffe FC suffer a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Tadcaster Magnets whilst Cliffe FC Reserves lose 3-1 to Wheldrake to complete a horrible Wednesday evening for the club.
Malcolm Bryce writes…

On a blustery evening, Cliffe had the wind in their favour for the first half but it was Magnets that lead at the break, bundling the opening goal from close range and a counter attack that saw the promotion-chasing side ahead 2-0 at the break. Returning Chris Harkin came close at 0-0, calling the ‘keeper into action and Ian Beckram had a shot saved before the half-time whistle. 2-0 HT.

Magnets came into their own in the second half and scored a further four goals to compound Cliffe’s Wednesday evening woes. However, Cliffe didn’t give up and the scoreline probably didn’t reflect the amount of hard work and what was deserving of their hard work, 6-0 FT.
The only positive to come from the game was the surprise return of Captain Chris Harkin who was awarded Cliffe FC man-of-the-match for a positive 60 minutes in his first game for five months since his ankle injury.

Cliffe FC have to move on from this fixture and go into next Monday and next Wednesday evening’s matches versus Strensall and Stamford Bridge respectively with a positive attitude as they need to drag themselves away from the dreaded threat of relegation.

Cliffe FC Reserves 1 – 3 Wheldrake Reserves

“Really disappointing result, we’ve shot ourselves in the foot by not starting tonight. The players responded well in the 2nd half, which we bossed and made plenty of chances, we just couldn’t quite get the ball in the net early enough. We must ensure we finish the season really strongly now.”

~ Dave Hebson, 17th April 2013.

Cliffe started slowly not helped by the absence of regular keeper Ally Harris. Wheldrake capitalised by scoring an early goal thanks to their pacey front pairing. A second followed after stand-in ‘keeper Toby Bodycombe rushed out of goal to sweep up a through ball only for the ball to take a wicked bobble over his outstretched leg and Wheldrake again capitalised to make it 0-2.

Cliffe looked a different side in the second half and had all the possession and a number of chances that they failed to convert into goals. Wheldrake got a third against the run of play when they finished a half chance with an excellent strike. With 25 mins remaining Cliffe threw everything at Wheldrake who were camped out on their 18 yard box. The hosts pulled a goal back after some excellent running from White caused a melee in the box and the ensuing scramble led to an own goal. The comeback looked on but was soon snuffed out as Cliffe again were denied by poor finishing and an excellent wheldrake keeper, 1-3 FT.

Cliffe FC Reserves need to dust themselves off and look to improve as they travel to face St Clements Reserves this Saturday.

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Recent Posts:

• Flashback Friday | Season 07/08 | HR Cup Final – Cliffe FC 6 – 2 Cross Keys
• York League Junior Cup Semi-Final |Cliffe FC vs. Tadcaster Magnets (A) 13th May 2013
• York League Junior Cup QF | Cliffe FC vs. Heslington (H) 11th May 2013