Early strikes lift Shirebrook to fourth

Shirebrook began the game looking to reverse their recent fortunes on the back of two narrow defeats, whilst improving Selby were hoping to extend their unbeaten run after a win and a draw in their last two outings.

Despite the visitors being the first to show when Jamie Wilstrop tested Shirebrook keeper Sam Andrew at the near post with a shot from 18 yards on the right on four minutes, it was the home side that raced into a decisive two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Bradley opened Shirebrook’s account when he neatly sidefooted the ball into the net at the near post from close range off Danny Claridge’s low corner from the right on six minutes.

Four minutes later Claridge was the provider again, this time with a clever lofted ball from deep on the left that caught the Selby defence flatfooted and sent top scorer Moxam on his way to finish with aplomb, high and wide of visiting keeper Adam Mitchell’s left from 18 yards.

However, Selby settled after their bad start and they began to press Shirebrook at the other end.

But the home side managed to stay solid at the back, well-marshalled by central defender Mark Camm and soaking up all the pressure over the next 20 minutes, limiting the visitors to just one shot at the target, Mark Willoughby’s 20 yard volley on 24 minutes that went comfortably wide of the left hand upright.

Similarly, chances were few and far between for Shirebrook, with Moxam becoming increasingly frustrated by being caught offside several times by the now well organised Selby back four.

Nonetheless, Ricky Hanson went close for Shirebrook with a 30-yard effort on 34 minutes and skipper Craig Getliff went closer still three minutes later with a first time shot from 18 yards that whistled just wide of the near post, off Claridge’s ball across the edge of the box from the left.

Meanwhile, Selby were still struggling to find the target at the opposite end as Jamie Wilstrop sliced his 25-yard shot from the left well wide of the far post on 39 minutes, before the home side almost had the final say of the half with two minutes to go, Getliff allowed the space to turn and fire the ball in from 20 yards, but the shot lacked any real power and it was straight at keeper Mitchell.

Getliff had another chance soon after the half-time break, but his first time shot from 25 yards was high and failed to trouble Mitchell a couple of minutes into the second half.

Selby had the attacking edge after that, but Shirebrook again stayed firm at the back and never looked to be in any real trouble until just before the hour as it started to hail and the visitors began to redouble their efforts.

It looked like a goal might be coming in Selby’s favour, but it didn’t happen and keeper Sam Andrew in the home goal remained well protected by those in front of him.

Five minutes later the threat had passed, and the blinding hail had stopped, although the pitch had taken on something of a white hue.

Bradley almost put the result beyond any doubt on 66 minutes, good work again by Claridge sending the big Shirebrook striker through, although Selby keeper Mitchell was quickly off his line this time, snuffing out the danger as Bradley looked to lift the ball past him.

The visitors weren’t yet done, though, and, with 20 minutes to go, Selby had another good 10 minute spell of pressure, before finally running out of steam without any reward against the solid Shirebrook rearguard, and with the home side left to see out the game on top.

Shirebrook next they make the long trip into North East Lincolnshire on Tuesday night for a 7.45pm kick-off when they face Grimsby Borough at The Bradley Football Development Centre, Grimsby.

That’s followed next Saturday with a short trip to take on local rivals Clipstone with a 3pm kick-off at The Worksop Van Hire Stadium in Clipstone Village.

SHIREBROOK TOWN: Andrew, Cobley, Claridge (Rowley 66), M Camm, Henshaw, Simpson, Hanson (Thompson 73), Getliff, Moxam, Bradley (Mullen 82), Booth. Subs not used: Hall, Bacon.

SELBY TOWN: Mitchell, Reid (Brilby 79), Wolski, Lumley, Sturdy, Willoughby, Wilstrop, Connor, Lyon, Hall (Lock 74), Waite (O’Reilly 66).

REFEREE: Drew Dutton of South Yorkshire.

ATTENDANCE: 125.