Clayton Go Close

AFC CLAYTON 2-4 CHELL HEATH KNAVE

AFC Clayton produced an extremely spirited display against vastly superior opposition. Chell Heath Knave are currently sitting second in the premier division, whilst AFC Clayton are currently sitting fifth in the third division. Clayton Goals came from Chris Whitfield and Lee Wilshaw. Anthony Edge was a rock at the back, and young goalkeeper Ash Wain had a superb game in-between the posts and picked up the man of the match award.

Had it not been for a crazy ten minutes early on in the first half, Clayton could have achieved the unthinkable and knocked out the premier division side, but Chell Heath Knave showed their class with some neat one touch football resulting in three superb goals. Clayton could have crumbled, and at this point it looked as if Heath Knave would run away with the game, but the premier division side failed to break down a resilient Clayton. Clayton grew in confidence slightly and could have grabbed a goal back, Joseph Malby blazed over from Chris Hillman’s knockdown. Clayton were indebted to their defence, who blocked and cleared everything they could. Ash Wain looked unbeatable in the Clayton goal, the young goalkeeper saved a penalty following a rash challenge from Grant Stubbs.

Clayton came out in the second half with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude and worked their socks off. They were rewarded when the previously untested Chell Heath Knave dropped a Wilshaw free-kick to the feet of Whitfield who fired home into an empty net. Chell Heath Knave then stopped playing their football and resorted to long hopeful balls which played right into AFC Clayton’s hands. Then the controversial moment of the game, linesman and Clayton substitute Mark Maughan ruling out a Chell Heath Knave goal for offside. This incensed Knave which put them off their game further. Clayton came to within a goal of their more illustrious opponents when Lee Wilshaw curled in a superb free-kick into the top corner.

AFC Clayton seemed like they were never going to give up, and battled hard all over the pitch. The only problem seemed like they lacked belief that they could level the tie, and it was no surprise when Chell Heath Knave scored a fourth and wrapped up the game.
At the end of the game Clayton manager Ian Sumnall said: “I am proud of the boys, they gave it their all and did themselves proud”.

Chell Heath Knave captain paid tribute to this opponents: “there is no way this team are a division three side, they were superb and their gaffer can be very proud. We know we have been in a game”.