Clay Cross Town suffer rare defeat

Clay Cross Town stumbled to only their third league defeat throughout the whole of 2018 after they were beaten 2-0 by Renishaw Ranger.

It was clear from the outset that the Renishaw club were intent on erasing that humbling 8-0 defeat at Mill Lane back in August as they started the contest strongly.

On an afternoon of cold swirling winds and driving rain it made any passing football extremely difficult and this resulted in periods of direct play.

The first goal for the home side was scored by ex-Miller, Nathan Jessop from the penalty spot after a hand ball offence.

His shot deceived Ryan Hopkins and after striking the foot of the post crept over the line.

A gritty performance followed but the game lacked any clear goal scoring chances apart from a Callam Lytham header that had beaten keeper, Hartshorn but cruelly rebounded back off the crossbar.

The next and crucial goal came on the hour mark when Connor Bendall found himself unmarked and headed home from close-range.

Clay Cross looked unable to recover from this two-goal deficit and the Rangers were worthy of the three-points.

The Millers head into the Christmas break in pole position but chasing club, Retford, who are six-points adrift have two games in hand.