(Please email reports soccer@hcjfc.co.uk)

The U9A defeated Thornhill A 6-0.
Thornhill had an early shot and the resulting goal kick by Isles was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Defender Taylor Goldthorpe proved too strong for Thornhill and Clough stepped up their game having most of the play. MoM Tommy Claughton peppered the goal with shots and Josh Waltons skill saw him beat several players.
A volley from Fryer was collected by Nail Walker for his first goal and Claughton added a second before half-time.
Cloughs confidence showed with slick passing and a long range volley from Fryer hit the net. Isles saved a powerful free kick and Josh Foster kept the Thornhill goalkeeper busy with shots. Walker was on top form and completed his hat trick with two more well taken goals before Claughton made it six with a low powerful shot.
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The U9B had a nail biting win against Thornhill B.
Goalkeeper James Murray made an important save and Clough fought back with Ethan Yardley scoring two tremendous goals, one a long range looping volley. Clough continued to dominate with good runs from Ben Rhodes while Andrew MacDonald went close from a free kick.
Ryan Bottomley drove home a corner and Clough almost made it four after a fine solo run and shot by Adam Bragan.
MacDonald shot just over, Yardley went close to completing his hat trick and Bragan had another good effort on goal.
Thornhill fought back with an opportunist goal  and despite strong battling from Andrew Murray in defence, added a second.
Thornhill attacked but were checked by MoM James Butterworth's crunching tackles. A Yardley penalty was saved and a last gasp free kick from Thornhill was kept out as Clough hung on for victory.
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The U9C made an impressive start to the season with a 5-1 win against Dewsbury Rangers.
All the players contributed and played impressive football.
Clough dominated and took an early lead with a confident goal from Adam Townsend.
With excellent play and teamwork from Demi Nichols, Patrick Howgate and Joe Crabtree. Rangers were kept under pressures . In his debut match George Brook made some strong tackles and clearance's. Howgate worked hard and was rewarded with two goals.
Debutant Aaron Sheerhan was introduced in the second half and worked hard to support.
Rangers tested goalkeeper Harry Oats who made some smart saves supported by by solid defence from James Blackhall and Saad Azia.
MoM Townsend gave a top performance, scoring a further two goals for his hat trick before Rangers scored a consolation.
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Howden Clough C U9 4.11.07
Clough gave a great performance against Batley which was rewarded in a 3-1 victory at Batley. 
 Clough got off to an excellent start building on their strengths.  Good defence work by Batley stopped Adam Townsend from scoring early on .  Great passing and hard work by Joe Crabtree to Townsend created opportunities.  A great header from James Blackhall and confident clearances from George Brooke gave Clough a strong defence.  An eye on the ball saw goal keeper Harry Oates make a smart save.   Clough replied with Aaron Sheehan scoring his 1 dream goal.   Substitutions for clough were made and Demi Nicholls and Saad Aziz  came into play, together with Ryan Normington on his debut.   Aziz was soon put to work and was solid in defence. Batley kept up the pressure and created chances and were unlucky not to score.  With action in the box from a corner an excellent 2^nd goal came from Joe Crabtree early in the second half.  Batley were able to reply with a top corner goal.  Clough passed the ball about and Patrick Howgate worked tirelessly with Townsend and Crabtree  who found the back of the net. A brilliant shot from Brooke just went wide.  MOM went to Sheehan.
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Howden Clough U9A saw another fantastic team effort for the fourth round of the cup away at Scissett and won 4-2. It was end to end action from the start with both teams creating early chances. Clough got their passing game going seeing some lovely football between Jack Fryer and Tommy Claughton and a confident and commanding display from MOM keeper Sam Isles who made an impressive early save. Josh Foster's smart up the line clearance and Sean Rhodes skill aided Niall Walkers first goal of the game, looping over the Scissett keeper. Gutsy Scissett fought hard for a levelling goal but found Taylor Goldthorpe on top form in defence and the half time score stayed at 1-0.
Clough's confidence showed into the second half, more good passing from Claughton, Fryer and Rhodes allowed Foster to capitalise, rifling a shot to the back of the net to take the score to 2-0. Scissett showed good form and continued to attack, producing two brilliant goals in quick secession and putting them back in the game. Scissett attacked Cloughs goal a third time and frantic goal mouth action saw Isles fearlessly make a double save at the feet of Scissett players. Isles was rewarded when his well placed goal kick was coolly collected by Walker and slotted into the net for his second and to take Clough back into the lead. Clough were more composed now, playing well as a team, Goldthorpe smartly dealing with any attacks and distributing the ball well, Josh Walton proved a force to be reckoned with and Clough dominated the remains of the game. Rhodes, Claughton, Fryer and Foster peppered Scissetts goal with shots but it was Walkers final confident strike for his hat trick that put Clough out of sight with a 4-2 victory and through to the fifth round (quarter finals) of the cup and continues their unbeaten run for 2008!
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Howden Clough U9A drew 1-1 in a local derby against Batley A. Batley started strongly attacking Cloughs goal from the start with a well struck shot hitting the post. MOM Taylor Goldthorpe fired into action, blocking well and combined with Josh Waltons strong clearances Cloughs defence stood strong to keep Batley out. Powerhouse Jack Fryer battled hard in midfield and was unlucky not to score from a well taken strike and good Batley defending blocked another Clough strike from Niall Walker. The fast pace continued with both teams evenly matched until a Batley shot caught a Clough player and went in for an own goal. Despite good play from both sides, Sam Isles' confident display denying Batley and Sean Rhodes' outstanding performance seeing his long range shot just over, the half time score remained 1-0.
Both teams fought hard into the second half, Isles bravely saving at the feet of a Batley player and Josh Foster clearing well. Smart passing in midfield produced chances for Fryer and Tommy Claughton whilst Goldthorpe blocked dangerous Batley attacks. Clough showed spirit and attacked hard and as the game neared the end determined play from Rhodes earned him a fantastic goal levelling the score. Clough battled hard for the winning goal and another strong Rhodes strike was saved by the Batley keeper, but time ran out and the whistle blew on a 1-1 score as Clough U9As remain undefeated for 2008.
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Howden Clough U9B were unlucky to loose 2-1 to a strong Batley B. Both teams started well seeing slick passing from MOM Ben Rhodes and Ryan Bottomley and early attacks on Cloughs goal dealt with confidently by Ethan Yardley. James Butterworth stood strong to keep Batley out. Sam Isles was unlucky not to score with a fine strike but it was Kieren Thomas who scored the opening goal for Clough from a skill full curling direct corner kick. Despite good defensive work from Ryan Normington Batley attacked back almost immediately and equalised with a well taken shot.
Tireless end to end action continued and chances fell for Thomas and Bottomley but the half time score remained 1-1. The fast and furious pace continued with both teams attacking hard. Bottomley bravely blocking a Batley attack and Rhodes and Thomas kept out by good Batley defending. Strong play saw another goal for Batley and forced a string of fine saves from Yardley.
Clough attacked back with a well taken long range shot from Josh Walton going just wide but despite an excellent team effort the final whistle blew on 1-2 result.
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Clough U9C beat Batley C 2-1. Clough led when Oliver Flowers fired home after Joe Crabtree and MoM George Brooke had gone close.
Batley equalised but Clough regained the lead following a fine run fom Crabtree. Clough created further chances and Adam Townsend was unlucky. Saas Aziz was solid in defence, while birthday boy James Blackhall went close. Goalkeeper Harry Oats did well. Demi Nicholss and Daniel Whitty worked hard, making good tackles.
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Howden Clough U9A put in a tremendous performance against undefeated Dewsbury Rangers A in the Quarter finals of the cup, matching them in strength, skill and determination only to be beaten in the closing moments. With a fantastic attitude Clough ran out against the wind, determined to break Dewsbury's unbeaten record and an early attack at goal almost tipped the score in their favour when a great strike by Niall Walker was blocked by the Dewsbury keeper.
Both teams fought hard and sparks flew from the midfield strength of Jack Fryer and Tommy Claughton who's tireless work on the wing kept possession for Clough. In defence Taylor Goldthorpe proved invincible and destroyed Dewsbury attacks with unflinching blocks and Josh Walton's powerful long range clearances were outstanding, making chances for Sean Rhodes and Josh Foster. Sam Isles's confidence in goal shone in the challenging conditions as he bravely got down to save at the feet of a Dewsbury striker and at half time the teams (and the score) were evenly matched. The second half play became even more intense with shin pads clashing but Clough knew their hard work was paying off as they attacked the Dewsbury goal and a powerful shot by Fryer was saved. Solid handling and distribution from Isles made chances for Walker and Rhodes pounced on every ball hoping for a chance for the winner. Dewsbury were just as determined but Clough pulled together for a fine defensive team performance, Goldthorpe, Foster, Claughton ,Rhodes and Walton all with determination etched on their faces.
The attacking force of Clough was felt again as another Fryer shot was stopped by the keeper but with just minutes to go Dewsbury attacked back and scored in a goalmouth scramble to break the deadlock. Cloughs tired legs and disappointment showed and despite a mammoth Rhodes effort to snatch a goal back Dewsbury managed a second goal in the last kick of the game.
Proud manager Ian Rhodes congratulated his team on getting this far to the quarter finals and for today's tremendous all round performance and awarded the whole team MOM.

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Howden Clough U9 A had a fantastic game against Shelf Juniors A and had resounding win coming out 6-0 on top. Clough started strongly with Josh Foster going close but soon got the score rolling with a cracking goal from on form Sean Rhodes. A strong performance from MOM Tommy Claughton and good play from Andrew McDonald kept most of the play for Clough, good defence and distribution up field from Taylor Goldthorpe and Josh Walton left Sam Isles untroubled in goal and made more chances for Rhodes who shot just over and then powered the ball to the back of the net for his well deserved second. Shelf A battled hard but the score remained 2-0 at half time.
 After a half time team shuffle Shelf fought back forcing confident saves from Jack Fryer but an impressive run and throw in from Isles was fired in by Claughton for the third for Clough. Good team play saw another Rhodes strike parried by the keeper and rifled in by quick thinking Foster for his first. Walton pounced on every ball and Goldthorpe cleared well, Fryer saved bravely at the feet of a Shelf striker and Clough were on fire! A well taken corner from Isles saw another goal for Clough and Foster shot in his second to take the score to a well deserved 6-0 victory and another three points for Clough.
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Howden Clough U9A's were back to their winning ways with an impressive 7-0 victory over Shelf Juniors A.
Clough were on the attack from the start with Tommy Claughton going close but it was tireless MOM Jack Fryer who opened the scoring when good play from Niall Walker crossed for Fryer who shot home with a powerful strike. More good team play saw Walker's hard work pay off as he confidently rifled in the second for Clough.
Clough were on fire and slick passing between Walker, Fryer and Claughton reached Josh Walton who pulled off a long range belter over the Shelf keeper and took the score to 3-0. Shelf never gave up and played well in parts but struggled to get past Taylor Goldthorpe who excelled himself in defence. Sean Rhodes, always a threat to any keeper, made his chance and struck home for his first soon to be followed by his second after a goalmouth scramble. Still fighting, Shelf shot low but keeper Sam Isles dived to deny them. Despite more chances for Josh Foster,Claughton and Fryer the score remained 5-0 at half time. Loughs confidence shone with more good passing and a well placed cross from Fryer reached Rhodes for a fabulous left footed strike that beat the Shelf keeper. Shelf battled on but Clough proved invincible, Isles making a dramatic diving save, distributing well to Goldthorpe who continued the flowing football and they were rewarded yet again by another Rhodes goal (his forth). Shelf continued to improve as the game went on, but throughout Foster cleared well and Walton won and controlled the ball well to keep them out. Both teams battled to the end seeing more chances for Goldthorpe, Walker, Claughton, Fryer and Rhodes and Isles hitting form to keep his clean sheet and the whistle blew on another great team performance for a
7-0.victory.
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Howden Clough U9B's played a entertaining, closely contested game against Shelf Juniors B and were unlucky to loose 2-0. Both teams started well, A good run by Andrew McDonald linking with Adam Bragan who shot just wide. Shelf's attacking play was expertly blocked by Ben Rhodes on the wing and Kieren Thomas tackled well. Tireless Bragan went close but good passing by Shelf earned them an early goal. Both teams were still evenly matched, McDonalds strike saved and Cloughs keeper Ethan Yardley saving well. Bragans well taken free kick was just wide and at half time Clough were no way beaten. After a half time shuffle Yardley fought hard for the equaliser with speed and skill, peppering shots at the Shelf goal but was denied by the keeper. Bottomley also put in a tireless performance skilfully heading the ball clear and his shot going close. Rhodes continued to battle and McDonald made chances but was unlucky not to score. As Shelf attacked back Thomas made a string of fine saves and MOM Aaron Sheehan blocked well but after a good all round defensive display from Clough in the closing moments Shelf scored a second to take the score to 2-0 in an entertaining game of football.