First clean sheet helps Clay Cross ease to victory

The visitors arrived on the back of three successive wins and looked a formidable outfit in the early stages. But once George Slack had given the Millers a 25th minute lead with a powerful header, they never looked back and completed their sixth win from seven games in the South Division of the Central Midlands League.

Chances fell at both ends for the rest of the opening half, but Clay Cross dominated for long periods and doubled their advantage with a minute remaining when Aiden Ordidge twisted in the box and fired a shot past impressive Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Hedley.

The second period opened with two excellent opportunities for visitors as Suhail Hussain’s flick and Tallinder Singh’s vicious shot were both saved by ‘keeper Danny Hartshorn. But then they went down to ten men because of an injury to Steve Spence and had no further substitutes to replace him.

More drama followed when Phoenix were reduced to nine as Ross Coates received a straight red card for a rash challenge on Millers defender Thomas Torrington.

The advantage in numbers should have led to a goalfest, but Clay Cross managed just the one more when Nathan Jessop slotted home with ten minutes left.

Their next match is against Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves in the Floodlit Cup next Thursday night (October 26, kick-off 7.45 pm) at Inkersall Road.