In an enthralling game played with great tempo, Clitheroe were grateful for extra time to snatch an equaliser at the death, although on the balance of chances it was nothing more than they deserved.

Ex Blue Max Hazeldine had the first shot on goal after 7 minutes for Trafford before John McGrath was crudely hacked down as the Blues threatened to open up the home defence. However, it was the home side who took the lead on 12 minutes after a mistake from Lee Pugh saw him inadvertently cushion a high ball for an onrushing forward, and with two incisive passes, Hakan Burton was beaten by a shot which flashed across him. Clitheroe kept their shape and patiently built pressure, before Veron Parny received a header from Domaine Rouse from a Richie Baker through ball and effortlessly evaded the keeper with his shot. From this point the action ramped up. Shortly afterwards a Baker corner almost induced an own goal, before Sefton Gonzales hit the side netting seconds later. On 28 minutes, the dangerous Veron went on a mazy 40 yard run and Alex Henderson only just failed to convert his scudding cross. Jacob Hanson, who was a threat all game, saw his powerful drive whistle wide of the gaol after a deflection before Gonzales had a header land on the roof of the net after a Darren Holden cross. Veron swapped wings and caused further problems, but as the clock ticked down, McGrath picked up a Gonzales flick and got behind the defence, settled himself and shot well. This was saved but his follow up somehow inched past the post.
The second half was more in Trafford’s favour, assisted by some curious refereeing decisions, many of which gave dangerous freekicks in and around the box. The pace did not let up but the quality of chances from both sides could not match the first half. Gonzales had a big shout for a penalty on 82 minutes after being bundled over as he took on three players, but one minute later a period of pinball at the other end saw Trafford score a scruffy goal. Clitheroe still applied pressure, especially through Hanson and Veron, and another huge penalty shout deep in injury time for handball saw Ross Dent issued with a yellow for arguing the case too firmly. When all looked lost, a Veron corner was headed back across the face of the goal by Gonzales and after a mix up in the home defence, Baker took full advantage to unleash a collector’s piece overhead kick before he hared over to take the applause from the ecstatic Clitheroe fans.

Team: Burton, Hanson, Holden, Baker, Pugh, Sephton, Parny, Henderson, Gonzales, Rouse, McGrath
Subs used: Webb Foster, Dent
Subs not used: Lancaster, Priestley