UCL Division 1
August 9, 2023
Gedling loose to early table toppers Clipstone.
The miners were playing their first game in 8 days after last week’s postponement and faced a stern test against a Clipstone team who had won both games and scored 10 goals.
The first 10 minutes was very tight and both teams were just finding their feet and on 7 minutes the visitors created the first chance, Kieran Harrison swung in a corner which Adrian Hawes headed across the box and captain Josh Thornton managed to head back towards goal, but the hosts keeper claimed.
Clipstone, who had finished 7th last campaign took the lead with their first meaningful attack a cross from the left was not dealt with enough by Exauce Nsiala and Jordan Ball slammed a half volley into the bottom right of the net leaving debutant keeper Josh Mitchell no chance.
Just 4 minutes later on 18 minutes the cobras doubled their advantage, Tim Gregory broke away down the left and his cross was missed by Mitchell and Will Heather headed into the empty net from 8 yards to give the miners a big uphill task.
Gedling continued to push forward but failed to create any clear-cut chances until 1st half stoppage time. First, Jack Koczalski found room in the box after a free kick wasn’t dealt with but his effort from 16 yards was held by the hosts keeper and just a minute later Harrison hit a dipping half volley from 25 yards which had to be turned around the post and the miners went into the break 2 down.
The early stages after the break again were closely contested but on 53 minutes Clipstone put the game to bed with a very well worked goal, Ball and Ryan Ingram played a brilliant give and go and Ingram set up Lewis Bingham who slotted the ball into the corner from 10 yards.
Things got worse for the miners as on 81 minutes they were reduced to 10 men as Thornton was shown a red card for an apparent attempted punch much to the disagreement of the Gedling faithful.
Gedling remain without any points after 2 games but have faced 2 teams which have 100% win records so far and are back on the road tomorrow (12) to face Southwell City.
Gedling Team: Josh Mitchell, Exauce Nsiala (Steven Brett 46’), Buba Ceesay, Ross McCaughey, Jack Koczalski, Adrain Hawes (Kian Clarkson 80’), Victor Somoye (Jack Vipond 46’), Kieran Harrison, Muta Eisa (Gian Ciaurro 68’), Stuart Hendrie, Josh Thornton (C)
Cautions: Brett (62’), Harrison (66’)
Dismissals: Thornton (81’)
