Clitheroe were ultimately good value for their third win on the bounce, but were given a monumental battle by a physical, enterprising Newcastle side. The visitors shaded the first half and despite a series of great attacks by Clitheroe the final product was missing. Early chances fell to Domaine Rouse, who received Veron Parny’s cross only to flash his shot across the face of goal, and John McGrath whose drive went narrowly over. On 28 minutes, Clitheroe had the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside, but one minute later Newcastle’s Kingsley Adu Gyamfi received the ball on the right and his scruffy shot seemed to wrong foot Hakan Burton in the Clitheroe goal to take the lead. As the clock ticked down, both Clitheroe full backs made inroads. On 40 minutes, Darren Holden put in a trademark run and selflessly laid the ball to Sefton Gonzales, who was narrowly beaten to the ball. Minutes later, Jacob Hanson was felled in the box but the penalty shout was waved away,

The start of the second half was even, as both sides relished the physical tussle. Inevitably it was Clitheroe’s giant striker Sefton Gonzales who equalised with a flicked header from a long Lee Pugh throw, and from this point the home side suddenly slipped their shackles, with the Blues attacking at will. Gonzales had another superb chance as his pinpoint header from a wonderful Anisio Jesus cross was somehow saved at point blank range. He was not to be denied though and minutes later a superb 40-yard burst and lofted pass by Danny Wilkins saw Gonzales spring the offside trap, round the keeper and fire home from an acute angle, to claim the points for a resurgent Clitheroe side.

Team: Burton, Hanson, Holden, Baker, Pugh, Hall, McGrath, Wilkins, Gonzales, Rouse, Parny
Subs (used) Jesus, Dent
Subs (not used) Lancaster, Dorney, Barlow