Clifton saw off high flying South Normanton AFC at Green Lane to reach their second semi final of the season. With only a 12 man squad available the All Whites dug deep and went head to head with Normanton in a robust encounter in which both teams refused to take a backward step.
It was Normanton who dominated for 20 minutes and took the lead from the edge of the area as Clifton failed to clear their lines but luckily this spurred Clifton into action with Haughton and Evans leading the charge. Haughton had a genuine penalty claim waived away as the referee made a series of bizarre decisions against both teams but on 20 mins Dorian Miller was dragged down whilst in full flight. Michael Evans whipped in the resulting free kick from 30 yards and found the on-rushing head of Alex Haughton to steer home from 8 yards.The goal gave Clifton the initiative and a series of attacks led to Alex Haughton being tripped for a nailed on penalty which Michael Evans dispatched for his 100th Clifton goal. HT: 2-1
Both teams started the second half with half chances as Evans low free kick was brilliantly turned around the post by the Normanton keeper and he did likewise when Haughton jinked through 3 tackles to unleash from close range. Clifton added a third as Ben Richardson's corner went straight in as the Normanton keeper fumbled. The game could have been put to bed on 70 mins as Haughton again raced clear but opted to shoot from the angle rather than lay into the unmarked Evans. Normanton pressed Clifton back for the remainder of the game but failed with a series of free kicks and corners until good skill from their big front man saw him at last wriggle clear of Vaughan Harvey and Stuart Robinson to fire home. A late chance fell to the prolific Briscoe who's shot was well saved by Parlatt and his conkers to see Clifton through to the semi's.
A top drawer show from the 12 men in white, particularly young Lee Torr's left back performance and the marauding Alex Haughton. Just rewards for hard work and belief.