Parramore power ends Clipstone's unbeaten run

Clipstone were beaten for the first time in eight league games, losing 2-0 to a strong Handsworth Parramore side in front of their biggest attendance this season at the Worksop Van Hire Stadium.

Before a crowd of 131, the Cobras, who had Andy Francis in goal as Jamie Bailey was absent due to work commitments, had an early chance when Andrew Fox shot wide after good work by George Milner.

However Francis was soon in action as he did well to keep out a shot from Kieran Wells following a run and cross from the impressive Danny Buttle.

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On 15 minutes Ellis Wall’s acrobatic effort for Clipstone was wide of the Parramore goal and keeper Joe Green was not troubled.

Parramore took the game by the scruff of the neck with last ditch tackles from the home side denying Wells on a couple of occasions and a fine effort from Jon Froggatt was well saved low to his right by Francis.

Clipstone did show some intent, but Martin Brissett lacked support and found the Parramore back four in no mood to let anything past them.

On 39 minutes Buttle was again the chief tormentor of the home defence and his fine cross was well met by Froggatt, who saw his header tipped onto the post by Francis.

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The visitors deservedly took the lead after 40 minutes when Wells seized on hesitancy by Brandon Cardwell, who had looked commanding until this point, and charged the ball down.

Wells then ran forward and played a great ball into strike partner Froggatt’s path who, at the second attempt, stroked the ball home for his 18th goal of the season.

Francis then produced another fine save to deny Simon Harrison.

Clipstone had a half chance just before the break when Josh Nodder had a shot blocked by a great challenge after good work by Milner.

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Parramore started the second period strongly and had the ball in the back of the net within 30 seconds of the restart.

Wells received a fine ball from Stephen Warne and turned and volleyed the ball past Francis.

However the linesman’s flag on the main stand side was raised for a doubtful offside decision.

Gareth Griffiths then found himself unmarked at a corner and his free header forced another great save from Francis, who tipped the ball over the bar.

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Colin Marrison should then have doubled the visitors’ lead when he ghosted in at the far post and put the ball wide from one yard.

There were a couple of quickfire bookings for trips, one for Parramore’s Simon Harrison and one for Cobras’ Brandon Cardwell.

In a rare attack by the home side, a threatening Rob Paling cross was intercepted by Sam Denton before it could reach Cobras’ substitute Ryan Smyth.

The visitors secured all three points on 81 minutes when fine build-up play between Froggatt and Marrison saw the latter put through a defence-splitting ball to substitute Alex Rippon, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

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Clipstone had one final chance on 88 minutes when Ellis Wall broke into the box, but his shot was straight at Joe Green.

Overall this was a disappointing performance from the home side who never recovered from the defensive error that led to Parramore’s first goal.

Clipstone drop to 11th place in the league with 20 points from 14 games and now face consecutive trips to Liversedge for an NCEL Premier game on Saturday (3pm) and a League Cup tie on Tuesday, 25th October (7.45pm).

Their next home game is on Saturday, 29th October when they face Harrogate Railway.

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CLIPSTONE: Francis, Paling, Trench (Edridge 82), Austin, Cardwell, Ashmore (Smyth 76), Milner (Forbes 60), Fox, Brissett, Nodder (c), Wall. Subs not used: Fawcus, Shepherd.

ATTENDANCE: 131.

COBRAS’ MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Austin.

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