Clipstone rocked by two late goals from title rivals Hemsworth

Two goals in the last three minutes saw visiting Hemsworth MW snatch a 2-1 victory at Clipstone and rock the Cobras’ NCEL Division One title hopes on Saturday.
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The game had been close throughout, but it seemed that Clipstone were going to take the points thanks to Matty Ord’s 61st minute strike.

However, there was a twist in the tale as Adam Wilson levelled on 87 minutes and, two minutes later, Nicholas Guest helped himself to the winner.

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The win lifted Hemsworth above fifth-placed Clipstone into third place, but the Cobras still have three games in hand on leaders Pontefract Collieries and are still only five points adrift of them.

An end-to-end first half started with both sides testing each others defences and each holding up well.

It wasn’t until the 14th minute the first corner of the game was awarded, which went to the visitors, Stu Hill clearing the danger.

Clipstone had to wait for a further six minutes for their first corner. Ash Rawson battled well to win it, Rob Paling hit the far post area and Josh Gibson rose highest, his header just sailing over the bar.

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The first real shot at goal did not come until 23 minutes, Callum Mawby trying his luck from 22 yards out, keeper Bentley saving well.

A few minutes later Hemsworth captain Guest had a great chance to open the scoring. Dominique Blair slid a ball through for him and, one-on-one with Clipstone keeper Nick Siddons, he tried to slide the ball under him, but Siddons did exceptionally well to keep the ball out.

On 30 minutes Ord was running at pace at the Hemsworth defenders when he was tripped from behind, and a direct free kick awarded 22 yards out. Paling floated a ball towards the far post, unfortunately Gibson just straying into an offside position.

On 32 minutes Siddons saved Clipstone’s bacon once again. This time Dominique Blair was the unlucky striker as the keeper made another fabulous save to keep the scores level.

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Just before half-time Hemsworth again missed out with Guest shooting over the bar.

One minute into the second half and Hemsworth won themselves another corner, this time over-hit and out for a goal kick.

Clipstone were battling hard to gain momentum.

But Dan Wood was brought down on the far right of the pitch midway inside the Hemsworth half and another good ball into the box from Paling once again saw the Clipstone forwards fail to take advantage and the danger was cleared.

Again a very tight affair for large parts of the second period, Clipstone made steady inroads and Mawby’s free kick was deflected out for a corner on 49 minutes.

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The opening goal finally went the way of Clipstone on 61 minutes.

Ord picked up the ball 25 yards out and, with a burst of pace, beat three defenders.

Hitting the by-line, he cut inside and headed towards goal, finding himself one on one with the Hemsworth keeper, and fired his shot across him and into the far corner of the net.

Clipstone searched for a second goal and Wood was unlucky to have his shot blocked and the rebound hastily cleared.

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Hemsworth pushed ever more forward, but the home defence held out right up until the 87th minute.

It stemmed from a free kick on the far right a full 30 yards out, taken by Wilson.

Everyone thought it would be a cross to the far post, but Wilson had other ideas and he sent a screamer right into the top corner of goal, leaving Siddons no chance of saving.

This sent confidence through the visitors and they went searching for a winner.

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They won a corner on the left, driven to the edge of the six yard box ,where Guest rose and directed his header towards goal to send the net bulging and visiting supporters into raptures.

COBRAS’ MAN OF THE MATCH: Nick Siddons.

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