A chilly North East, played host to today’s clash, 4th place Scarborough welcoming Simon Garner’s men to their temporary home of Queensgate expecting to end the Blues run of taking points from all five of their last five games.

Big team news came in the form of youth teams captain Ryan Cattermole starting on the bench and Tom Jackson appearing on the team sheet for the first time.

Although missing key players through suspension and Injury Clitheroe had a makeshift centre back pairing of Seydou Bamba and Laquan Esdaille.

It only took 6 minutes for the ball to hit the back of the net in this game, Peter Collinge beaten by Scarborough captains Gary Bradshaw’s free kick just outside the area, up and over the wall Collinge couldn’t dive far enough to his right to save what was a marvellous strike.

6 minutes later the home side scored again, this time a Matty Plummer header rocketing into Collinge’s goal, for it to only be adjudged offside by Matt McGarth and his linesman.

The visiting men in Blue then went on the offence, however good build up in the midfield and speedy fullback runs from James Walker and Danny Morton failed to pierce the Scaraborough back four throughout the first 20.

40 minutes had passed since the first goal when last man Danny Morton held back forward Cameron Murray, referee McGrath showed no hesitation in both pointing to the 12 yard spot and brandishing a red card for Morton, the Blues would have the spend the rest of this game a defender down. Bradshaw spotted the ball, looking to score his side’s 55th goal of the campaign, but Collinge was magnificent to deny him, diving to his far left the Blues goalkeeper looked to have rescued his side.

However, only seconds later a second penalty was awarded, Seydou Bamba considered by McGarth to have fouled Tom Corner, no red card for the Blues this time but another goal conceded, Corner sending Collinge the wrong way to give the home side a comfortable lead at the break.

The second half witnessed the Shawbridge side firm up throughout the pitch, limiting Scarborough to very little as they pressed their host’s defence numerous times. Although it was Scarborough who came closest to scoring, Corner’s strike smartly tipped onto the cross bar by Collinge.

The Blues had to wait till the 89th minute before they were allowed a decent chance, Ross Dent found himself and the ball in front of Cracknell, nudging it past the opposition keeper and bringing his side back into the game.

Five minutes of added time followed with one last chance for the Blues, a corner falling at the far post met the head of Esdaille, only to go just over the home side’s cross bar.

The result leaves Simon Garner’s men in 12th, five points away from Mossley in 10th whilst dropping behind Lancaster City. Whilst Scarborough remain in comfortable 4th.

Interview Updates to follow.

Referee: Mat McGarth

Teamsheets:

Scarborough:

Cracknell, Plummer, Robson, Wilkinson, Lisles, McCaffrey (Beadle, 45), Murray (Middleton, 80), Davidson, Corner, Bradshaw ©, Metcalfe

Subs: Middleton, Ridley, Blott, Beadle, Bennett

Clitheroe:

Collinge, Morton, Walker, Esdaille, Bamba, Garner (Burns, 52), Dent, Lynch (Cattermole, 52), Gonzales, Hart (Jackson, 82), Mayers

Subs: Burns, Catterole, Jackson, Palffy

Yellow/ Red Cards:

Scarborough:
Yellow - Davidson

Clitheroe:
Yellow – Garner
Red - Morton