After a week without a fixture, Cliftonville returned to action with a huge top-of-the-table clash against Holcombe. The league leaders had lost just once all season and started the day nine points clear, setting the stage for a crucial encounter.
Ville, however, came into the match in excellent form. Since the defeat to the same opposition on 1st November, they had put together an impressive run of 10 games unbeaten, winning nine of them. With title ambitions still firmly alive, the aim was clear: deliver a statement performance and take all three points.
The hosts made the perfect start. Simon collected the ball on the left, skipped past two defenders and fed Perks on the baseline. Perks turned sharply, beat his marker and drilled a dangerous ball across goal where Sidders was waiting at the back post to calmly finish for 1–0.
Holcombe responded 10 minutes later, their left winger ghosting in unmarked to level the scores at 1–1. It was a brief setback, but Ville refused to let it disrupt their momentum.
Continuing to press, Ville struck again midway through the half. Seb found Perks in the right corner, and his powerful cross deflected high into the air off a defender. JK reacted quickest, meeting the dropping ball with a superb volley to restore the lead at 2–1 after 25 minutes.
Five minutes before the break, Ville extended their advantage from a short corner. Captain JB executed the perfect stop and roll to Perks at the top of the D, who unleashed an unstoppable strike into the net to make it 3–1. It capped a dominant first-half display, with every Cliftonville player contributing to an outstanding team performance.
The second half was a far tighter affair. Chances were limited, and the contest became more physical and tactical. When called upon, the Ville defence stood firm, with Hughes producing several excellent saves to preserve the lead.
Holcombe set up a tense finale by pulling a goal back with seven minutes remaining, narrowing the score to 3–2. But Ville showed resilience and composure under pressure, digging deep to see out a vital victory over the league leaders. The result reduces the gap at the top to six points and hands Holcombe their first defeat in 14 matches, stretching back to the end of September.
It was a game of two halves — a commanding first-half performance followed by a gritty, determined defensive effort after the break.
**Man of the Match:** Joint winners this week. Al Taylor was immense at centre back, a commanding presence throughout, while Hughes earned equal recognition for his outstanding saves in goal.
**DOD:** Also awarded to Al Taylor, who announced his (fifth!) retirement from hockey due to upcoming surgeries. Rest up, mate — we look forward to seeing you back out there soon.
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