Clipstone leak five but show improvement under new boss Cotton

But they were very much in the game until killed off by two late strikes and the pattern of giving goals away can be attributed to mistakes caused by inexperience. In fact, the Cobras again showed signs of improvement uder Cotton, with the team spirit and work ethic particularly good.

Maltby, who sit just below Clipstone in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division table, included in their line-up ex-Cobra Joe Austin, who was lucky to stay on the pitch in the sixth minute when he lashed out at Tim Gregory but was only cautioned.

Gregory recovered to set up the opening goal with a terrific through-ball for captain Ben Rogers, who held off a defender and forced the ball under home ‘keeper Daniel Rusling.

Maltby responded immediately by not only equalising but also taking the lead. Both goals were scored by Ryan Carroll, who outjumped all to head home from a corner on 17 and drilled home a first-time volley from the edge of the area on 25.

A killer third goal came on the stroke of half-time when a shot by Danny Patterson was deflected past Gary Doncaster in the visitors’ goal.

The Cobras responded well in the second period and halved the deficit to 3-2 within nine minutes when a free-kick by Keenan Leeds was diverted home by Gareth Curtis. And they created plenty of chances to equalise, with Gregory and Rogers going close.

However, Steve Hopewell hit the bar for Maltby, who then sealed the points in the last three minutes when Dean Smith headed in a cross by Carroll, who completed his hat-trick with a powerful shot that Doncaster couldn’t hold.