For all matches this week, the teams wore pink wristbands to show support for Breast Cancer Now and their #WearItPink campaign. You can donate here > https://www.justgiving.com/page/cliftonvillehc-wearspink
Cliftonville W1 v Sevenoaks 5
Win 2-1
Scorers: Vicky Bates, Bella Sabin-Dawson
Written by Harriet Westby
Yet another fantastic game for Cliftonville Women’s 1s. It was a nerve-wracking weekend as we were a team of bare eleven playing top of the league, Sevenoaks 5s. With a key defensive player missing we had to reshuffle our centre mid set up as the Captain stepped back into the defensive line and our winger moved into the centre. Thankfully the team took it in their stride and started strong.
The first half was an intense battle with great play from both sides but neither could get a goal in so we finished the half 0-0. After a half time talk focusing on keeping our structure and using the width we were off again. Sevenoaks came at us hard and after peppering the goal with many shots one eventually slipped past the keeper who had done so incredibly well. With an enormous amount of positive chat and some tenacious play, Kat made a wicked pass across the goal which was hit through the legs of the goalie by Vicky! The tide had turned and we played with confidence and excitement. Shortly after, we won our second short corner of the day.
After a scrap in the D the ball went to the far post where Bella received it on her reverse and scored a fantastic goal to put us in the lead. After a screaming, jumping celebration we were back to the halfway line to go again. We had 13 minutes to keep our lead. After a hard battle in the midfield and some fantastic defending the final whistle went! Ville had won and we were back to the top of the table. Our MOM went to both Lena and Jen for fantastic work in the midfield. DOD also went to Lena for forgetting her kit bag!
Cliftonville M1 v Ashford 2
Win 6-0
Scorers: Isaac Dilkes (2), Tom Harrison, William Ainsworth, Dan Mees, Harry Harrison.
Written by Dan Mees
Six of the Best: Ville Storm to First Away Win
Cliftonville Men’s 1s hit the road again, this time heading to Ashford in search of their first away win of the season.
Ville started strong from pushback, piling on the pressure just like last week. That early intensity paid off with a quick goal from Isaac Dilkes, putting Cliftonville 1–0 up. The pressure didn’t let up — Ville earned multiple short corners, kept Ashford pinned in their own 23, and peppered the goal with shots. Just before the halftime whistle, Tom Harrison doubled the lead with a composed finish around the keeper.
Heading into the break, Ville were pleased with the scoreline but knew they’d left a few goals out there — and that one Ashford chance could flip the game. Thankfully, they came out firing again. Dilkes grabbed his second of the match shortly after the restart, stretching the lead and opening the floodgates.
First goals of the season followed for Will and Captain Mees, and Harry added another with a cool one-on-one finish. Final score: 6–0. Cliftonville’s first away win of the season — and a clean sheet to go with it.
With a slip week ahead, Ville will look to carry this momentum into the next fixture after the break.
Cliftonville W2 v New Beccehamian 2 Dev
Win 4-0
Scorers: Kryssi Cumberbirch, Julie Cobb, Chloe Kingsland (2)
Written by Cheryl Macer
Cliftonville Women’s 2s travelled away to New Beccehamian 2s Development looking to continue their strong run of form, having already secured four wins this season — and they didn’t disappoint.
The visitors started the game with real attacking intent, pressing high and creating early chances. Despite a few dangerous breaks from the opposition, Cliftonville’s defence stayed composed and organised. Their persistence paid off when Kryssi produced a brilliant deflection to the right of the keeper to open the scoring. Cliftonville went into half time 1–0 up and full of confidence.
The second half saw Cliftonville dominate possession and earn a string of short corners, though they were initially unable to convert. Continued pressure eventually forced a defensive error on the goal line, resulting in a penalty flick. Julie stepped up calmly and slotted the ball home to double the lead.
Momentum firmly in Cliftonville’s favour, Chloe then struck twice in quick succession — both sharp deflections that showcased her poaching instincts in front of goal — sealing an emphatic 4–0 victory.
It was another strong team performance, with standout contributions across the pitch. Woman of the Match was shared between Sara and Kryssi, recognised for their excellent work on the right wing and in the forward line.
A fifth win of the season and another clean sheet — Cliftonville Women’s 2s continue their fantastic form!
Cliftonville M2 v Ashford (Kent) 4
Draw 0-0
Written by James Perks
After last week’s horror show Ville needed to see a big improvement if they were to get anything out of this game against Ashford.
The first half was fairly even, with both sides battling hard but very few clear-cut chances were created.
2nd half saw Ville the more adventurous of the two teams and look the more likely to score.
A neat attacking move saw the ball fizzed across the face of the goal bypassing the Ashford defence and keeper, unfortunately Jonathan wasn’t quite able to direct it into the back of the net.
Playing in a more advanced role today Jack drove with purpose towards the opposition D a lovely one two with Perks, Jack then took it past two Ashford defender’s and past the keeper but unfortunately in the process went a little wider narrowing the angle and narrowly missed. A great run however!
Two minutes before the end Ville were awarded a short corner. Perks slipped the ball left to Sidders, who pinged it across to Alex who got a shot away which was stopped by the Ashford post man’s foot preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity. Penalty flick awarded. Sidders who converted one a few weeks ago stepped up, unfortunately the keeper saved it and the game finished 0-0.
A big improvement from last week. Ville’s defensive unit were strong, snuffing out any potential danger, I don’t remember Hughes being called into action at all. First clean sheet since the opening game shows how well they played after conceding a fair few last week. Ashford probably came off the happier of the two sides with the point at the final whistle. Unfortunately, despite it being a much better performance than last week, Ville were unable to make the most of the chances we had created and on another day we win that game 3 or 4 nil.
Cliftonville M3 v Old Williamaonian 7 Dev
Win 4-0
Scorers: Rob Macer, Noah Soames, Aron Walker, Ollie Todd.
Written by Noah Soames
Ville headed into their 5th match confident of their game plan, and it was a sweet start. Openings came thick and fast in the first 5 minutes. It didn’t take Ville long to score, a ball thread through the defenders left Rob Macer with only one thing to do, and he slotted it home 1-0 to the ville.
More chances came for Ville as they pressed for a second. Again, Rob found himself with the ball driving towards the D, he squared the ball to Noah who nestled it well in the back of the net. Ville were just getting started. The home side continued to hold the ball high up the pitch waiting for opportunities. With brilliant midfield play and the fullbacks linking well with the wingers, Cliftonville were not giving the opposition even a sniff of an attack. The defence showed brilliant composure, playing with great confidence. A chance for Ville to score as a ball trickled its way through the back line and Aron pounced on it at the back post to fire Ville 3-0 up. A very positive lead into the break.
Second Half got underway and with the cushion, Ville could breathe a little easier. This half gave more opportunities for the defence and midfield to shine as Old Williamsons desperately tried to score to get themselves back in the game. Ville’s back line stood its ground and never looked under threat. The midfield regulated the play, holding the ball up well and managing the game. Then true to form, some superb dribbling from Ollie left him one on one with the keeper and he did the job. Ville were now 4-0 up!
Every player who featured in this league tie produced some stellar performances. With everyone working well together, Ville managed the game professionally and maintained their high work rate.
Full time whistle blew and Cliftonville secured a richly deserved victory over Old Williamsons. Up The Ville!
