Clitheroe’s poor run of form continued although they dominated possession at in form CoL but could not show enough bite in the final third to secure any points.

Playing into a strong wind blowing down the pitch, the Blues fell behind to a sloppy goal as a corner in the fifth minute settled in the box leaving a home player the easiest of chances to thump it home. Clitheroe instantly came back on the attack and were dangerous on both flanks as John McGrath overlapped well with Jacob Hanson and Jack Sloan worked well in tandem with Leon Arnasalam. On 8 minutes, McGrath was flattened on the edge of the box but no foul was given, before minutes later the returning Cameron Lancaster had a powerful run before releasing Hanson whose shot was smothered by a last minute tackle. On 15 minutes, Sefton Gonzales and the home keeper went for a high ball and the referee adjudged that Gonzales had been fouled in the challenge. Richie Baker levelled the score from the spot. On 18 minutes, Hanson ran fully 50 yards with the ball, but McGrath could only hit the side netting from the subsequent pass. The home side were still a real threat especially from their in swinging corners and on 21 minutes a header flashed over the bar. Hanson once again burst down the right leaving defenders in his wake but with no end product. As the clock ticked down, on 44 minutes Gonzales shielded the ball and laid it off to Arnasalam whose first time cross saw Domaine Rouse’s shot saved at the foot of the post. One minute later, from a short corner, Arnasalam crossed again and Lancaster’s header was cleared off the line.

With the travelling fans expecting even more pressure in the second half with the strong wind at their backs, the reality was not quite the same. Passes were overhit and attacking proved a frustrating business. Half chances came at steady intervals, but on 60 minutes it was the home side who took the lead when a huge punt forward saw Clitheroe defenders converge to shepherd the ball away, only for Lancaster to stab the ball just inside the post. The manager rang the changes to bring on fresh wingers, but clinical strikes on goal were at a premium as the game was played out for another Clitheroe defeat.

Team: Gonzales, Hanson, Sloan, Baker, Lancaster, Hall, Arnasalam, Wilkins, Gonzales, Rouse, McGrath
Subs (used) Parny, Jesus
Subs (not used) Barlow, Dent, Davidson