After a cagey opening 15 minute spell, Clitheroe took a deserved lead when Waqas Azam produced a slide rule pass for Sefton Gonzales to surge past his marker and to slip the ball coolly past the keeper. Runcorn upped the tempo but it was Clitheroe, and in particular Azam, who were looking more dangerous. On 27 minutes, a Richie Baker free kick was slung into the penalty area, and under close attention from the Clitheroe front line the Runcorn keeper spilled the ball and was fortunate to grab the rebound in time. Four minutes later, Veron Parny was fouled on the apex of the box, and from the resultant free kick, which he took himself, his dipping drive hit the bar. At this point the home side started to assert themselves and on 37 minutes, former Leek dangerman Saxon was given acres of space and after advancing 10 yards, he coolly curled his shot just inside the post beyond Hakan Burton. Back came Clitheroe, and minutes later, the rampant Gonzales swatted aside three challenges just outside the box, took the ball round the keeper, but saw his shot headed off the line. Barely had the dust settled before the ball pinged to the other end with no midfield challenge, and from the resultant cross which eluded a desperate diving cover tackle, the home player easily slotted home.

The next goal was always going to be pivotal after half time, and unfortunately for the Blues it went Runcorn’s way, with ex Charnock striker Molloy picking the ball up unchallenged and walloping a 25 yard drive under the bar on 50 minutes. Things worsened on 56 minutes when the Blues could not clear their lines, and with home players moving the ball along the edge of the crowded box, the final shot from Saxon was no great surprise. Despite this, substitute Domaine Rouse headed a corner on to the post after 66 minutes before minutes later Gonzales unfeasibly stretched a long leg behind the Runcorn back line to meet a deep cross, only to see his shot hit the woodwork as well. As the clock ticked down, Runcorn registered a soft fifth goal as a tame shot was parried and easily followed up. As injury time loomed and the travelling fans did not think things could get much worse, a nothing Clitheroe corner saw a bit of jostling and wrestling before punches were exchanged under the nose of the excellent referee and Andy Teague took the long walk accompanied by his Runcorn opponent.

Team: Burton, Azam, Collins, Teague, Lancaster, Hall, Baker, Wilkins, Gonzales, Dent, Parny
Subs (used): Rouse, Barlow
Subs (not used): Massey, Davidson, Bridges