Blues off the mark at the Giant Axe

With both Simon Garner and James Walker unfit, Danny Brady came in at left back and Roberto Bonaminio replaced broken arm victim Dom Mulkerrin.

Brady had Blues first chance at goal on 4 minutes when he ran unchallenged into the box and shot just over. However it was the home side who started the brighter and they took the lead on 9 minutes. Aaron Taylor was left too much space to side foot home from a pass from Tom Woods.

From midway through the first half, Blues gradually got back in to the game with Brady and Richard Burns having headers go close and on 27 minutes, Danny Wilkins shot over from 25 yards. On 36 minutes, Blues were awarded a penalty when Liam Hutchinson was brought down and Wilkins made no mistake with the spot kick.

Danny Morton replaced Bonaminio who was struggling after an earlier knock. Within a minute of him coming on, he got the final touch on a loose ball in the six yard box to give the Blues a 2-1 lead.

Half time - Lancaster City 1 Clitheroe 2

Blues started the second half as they finished and continued to make chances. Mike Aspin replaced Charlie Collinge at half time and played at left back with Brady moving across to right back.
Sefton Gonzales had an impressive game and he led the front line well creating chances for others and was unlucky not to score on 48 minutes. His turn and shot forced Lancaster keeper Mike Hale to make a fine save.

On 49 minutes, Aspin's surging run into the box was halted by a Lancaster defender and referee Mr Roberts had an easy decision to award a second penalty for the Blues. Once again Danny Wilkins made no mistake for his third successful penalty of the weekend.
Wilkins could have had a hat-trick on 53 minutes when a Gonzales lay off fell to him but his shot went across the face of the goal.

Lancaster brought on their Player coach, former England International Trevor Sinclair in an effort to get back in the game.

Danny Brady had another decent effort on 70 minutes, his shot going over and a minute later from a Wilkins corner, Gonzales headed just over. Blues final substitution was on 73 minutes which saw Peter Dunkerley replaced Hutchinson.
Dunkerley nearly emulated Danny Morton by scoring with his first touch, but his effort from Gonzales unselfish pass was blocked by a Lancaster defender.

The last ten minutes was end to end stuff with Lancaster threatening on several occasions but the Blues defence held firm to complete a well deserved victory.

Team: Matt Green, Charlie Collinge (Mike Aspin 46) Danny Brady, Adam Freeland, Steve Mercer, Roberto Bonaminio (Danny Morton 36), Richard Burns, David Lynch, Sefton Gonzales, Danny Wilkins, Liam Hutchinson (Peter Dunkerley 73). Subs not used; Oli McLean & Alex Palffy.