Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell

It was an improvement from the previous humbling against Southwell City last Tuesday but the outcome was still the same as Dronfield Town went down by 2-0 at home to Clifton All Whites. The visitors started the day in the bottom three but lifted themselves out of the relegation zone as a pair of Nathan Kelly strikes, one in either half, sent all three points back to Nottingham. While Dronfield were much better organised, their lack of a goal threat was troubling and is something they need to rectify as they drop to 16th in the UCL Division One. An opportunity to get back on track presents itself on Tuesday when they head to Pinxton FC in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Town made four changes from Tuesday’s 6-0 defeat at the hands of Southwell City but it was apparent that the size of that defeat was still weighing heavy on minds. Clifton managed the first shot in anger as full back Freddie Trueman carried the ball forward but saw his effort clear Lewis Naylor’s crossbar.

It took 18 minutes for Dronfield to get their first attempt off. Arran Bovill fed Max Rhodes in the left channel but his shot from the edge of the box was comfortably claimed by Clifton stopper Louis Harris.

Just before the half hour mark, a late tackle by Dan Shelbourne saw him go into the referee’s notebook and from the ensuing free kick, Jack Bancroft was forced to turn a dangerous ball into the box out of play.

A useful 20 yard free kick from Charlie Stewart just cleared the crossbar moments later but it was Clifton who seized the initiative just before the half time break.

Dronfield failed to clear a cross from the right hand side and the ball fell to an unmarked Nathan Kelly, who stroked the ball home past Lewis Naylor to put the visitors a goal to the good.

Another ball from the right troubled Town again a minute before the interval but on this occasion, Ben Bowers’ header went over the bar.

The game was delayed at half time due to an injury to one of the assistant referees and once a replacement was found, it meant that the game would finish comfortably after 5.00pm.

Dronfield made a patient start to the second period but it was Clifton who were to double their lead. Lucas Perkins, who was a danger all afternoon, squared for Kelly, whose low shot claimed his and Clifton’s second of the game.

Dronfield did have opportunities as the game wore on but never truly looked like threatening Clifton’s lead. On 64 minutes, Arran Bovill’s close range volley from Connor Chapell’s corner went the wrong side of the post to sum up Town’s frustrations.

Perkins threat became apparent again on 76 minutes when his burst forward was stymied by an excellent last-ditch tackle from Liam Vardy.

Town did close the game with a couple of attempts but in truth, Clifton were fully deserving of their victory. Substitute Mark Fereday’s turn and left foot volley went wide of Harris’ right hand post and then two minutes from time, Charlie Stewart’s powerful shot was somehow kept out by the visitors.

Dronfield fall to 16th place in the UCL Division One table at the start of a month where they play a further four games out of the next six at home. Town take a breather from league action for their next game by heading to Pinxton FC and an opportunity to utilise the squad in a Derbyshire Senior Cup second round tie.

Dronfield Town: Naylor, Vardy, Stewart, Appleyard, Shelbourne, Mawbey, Chapell, Bovill, Rhodes, Walker, Bancroft. Subs: Pashley, Ord, Reardon, Turner, Fereday.

Clifton All Whites: Harris, Trueman, Hyde, Allen, Burton, Bowers, Perkins, Kane, Lindsey, Robinson, Kelly. Subs: McNally, Randall, Pheby, Taylor, Neil.

Attendance: 96