Gibson sees red for Clipstone after match-winning derby brace at Shirebrook

Clipstone left Shirebrook Town with the bragging rights after a 3-1 win in an action-packed NCEL Division One local derby on Saturday.
Shirebrook Town v ClipstoneShirebrook Town v Clipstone
Shirebrook Town v Clipstone

A decent crowd had plenty to talk about afterwards with four well taken goals, several yellow cards, and two goals in seven minutes before a red card for Clipstone’s Josh Gibson spoilt his afternoon.

The victory left Clipstone just three points shy of leaders AFC Emley with a game in hand, but saw them bounce straight back from a midweek 3-2 defeat at Hallam.

Shirebrook went into the game looking to build on Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Yorkshire Amateur, and manager Julian Watts made two changes with Aaron Moxam starting up front and Lewis Whittaker coming in at left back.

It took the visitors just six minutes to go ahead. Brandan Shaw cleared his lines from the left back position over the halfway line with a ball that bounced with spin, making it very awkward for the defender.

Jamie Brown chased him down, dispossessed him, and ran on toward goal 40 yards out from goal. At pace he entered the area, very easily rounding Joe McCormack in the Shirebrook goal and blasted the ball home into the far corner.

Shirebrook’s first chance of the game came by a free kick wide right after Stu Hill was adjudged to have pulled back Aaron Moxam on 18 minutes.

Lewis Whittaker fired in the set piece right under the bar, Nick Siddons doing very well to punch clear with players all around him.

A few minutes later Jamie York had the home side’s second chance again to the right of goal. He pulled the trigger and Karl Colley slid in with a timely block and deflected the ball out for a corner.

Clipstone went back on the attack, Jamie Brown bursting beyond the home defenders to the left of goal, cleverly pulling the ball back to Callum Mawby 16 yards out and central to goal. He hit the ball at pace but it kept rising and went a yard over the bar.

Mawby was in the thick of the action again one minute later, this time harshly adjudged to have used his hand by the assistant referee after the ball was blasted at him from just a few yards away with his arms at his side.

Once again Shirebrook sent the ball under the crossbar and once again Siddons was up to the challenge of keeping the ball out of Clipstone’s goal.

The home side must have had a ear bashing during the break as they came out for the second period all guns blazing.

On 47 minutes they won a corner over on the left, and Will Dennis rose highest to meet a free kick and put the scores back level

On 54 minutes Brown ran at the host defenders once again and Will Dennis could do nothing but pull him back and give Clipstone a free kick 30 yards out just left of goal.

Steve Carty sent the ball towards the far post and Gibson’s header looping towards the angle saw Joe McCormack just tip around the bar to make sure.

Clipstone keeper Siddons had to be alert on a few occasions to mop up through balls that beat the Clipstone defenders.

On 57 minutes he came out of his goal bravely in a challenge with a Shirebrook attacker, Siddons getting to the ball first but coming off worse and needing attention from physio Chris Bullock.

Siddons did try to carry on but his injury gave way on him moments later.

Having no other keeper on the bench, he was replaced by Lewis Naylor, who was making his league debut for Clipstone after breaking his ankle in the first pre-season game of this season.

Shirebrook defenders switched off for a few moments from the restart and Brandan Shaw’s throw found Brown. He controlled and played in Josh Gibson who, with a first time shot, guided his effort to the far post and beyond the despairing dive of McCormack to reinstate Clipstone’s lead.

Clipstone were back in control and playing the more fluid football.

On 67 minutes Carty sent a ball through for Matty Ord to chase inside the area where Will Dennis’ challenge on him was deemed to be illegal and a penalty given.

Rob Paling sent the spot kick to the right of goal where Joe McCormack saved brilliantly and pushed the effort out for a corner.

But the relief was short-lived as Carty swung in the ball and Gibson rose the highest to head home and increase Clipstone’s lead.

On 72 minutes the referee played a Shirebrook advantage after a late challenge from Gibson, who made no contact with anything. When the ball eventually went out of play he displayed his authority in showing Gibson a yellow card.

Just eight minutes later Gibson was sent off.

The Clipstone man was chasing down Shirebrook midfielder Craig Getcliff and ran into his into legs to concede a free kick. But to Clipstone’s anguish, the referee produced a second yellow card to Gibson and a resulting red.

Lewis Naylor was called upon a couple of times in the last 10 minutes and looked at ease in goal, so Clipstone boss Chris Millington will be pleased he has someone to call upon in an emergency.

This result moved Shirebrook down to 10th in the league and they will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday night against Dronfield Town at Langwith Road (7.45).