The minute’s silence to mark the death of Colin Wilson was impeccably observed, but the sombre mood of the day was not lightened by the action on the pitch. With Lloyd Dean having moved to NPL Premier bottom club Droylsden the previous day and Sean Miller recalled back to Chester by the new manager, Simon Garner had to field a brand new front three. Clitheroe based Chris Bailey featured on the left wing, whilst two FC United loan strikers, Jean Biansumba and Tunde Owolabi, spearheaded the formation.

In an awful game of football for the healthy Shawbridge crowd, chances were at a premium. Bailey had a tame shot on 7 minutes and on 12 minutes both Owolabi and the Albion keeper pulled out when running towards each other to control a bouncing ball, when with more courage he would have been free. On 21 minutes, a harmless Albion attack suddenly became critical when Will James lost his footing, and a desperate tackle on the edge of the box conceded a free kick in a dangerous central position. The free kick skimmed down the left hand side of the wall, and although Ben Proctor managed to parry it, it simply spilled to the feet of Kurtis Noble who obliged by popping the ball in the net. Still the Clitheroe team did not fire and after half an hour defender Adam Freeland limped off. Shortly after, Proctor made a point blank save from Noble, when a useful cross from the left went untouched by a Clitheroe defender.

Little else happened up to half time, at which point two substitutions were made before the game restarted, with Scott Byrom and giant striker Jake Shawcross coming on. Indeed, it was Shawcross who had the best Clitheroe chance of the game on 47 minutes when he met a cross from the left with a firm header which was well saved. More misery was heaped on the home side when another slip, this time by substitute Ben Cartwright let in an Albion striker to finish well when one on one with Proctor. It was almost three two minutes later when showboating by James saw him dispossessed in a dangerous position, with Proctor coming to the rescue. The only real energy up front was being provided by Shawcross, but he was ploughing a lonely furrow. On 69 minutes, an Albion player was dismissed for an off the ball incident, but Clitheroe could not make the extra man tell. Ross Dent came nearest on 82 minutes when he took the ball over his shoulder and muscled his way through but just screwed his shot wide.

This was a game to forget. The same cannot be said for Colin Wilson and his forty years of service to the club.

Team: Ben Proctor, Keith Wedge (c), James Walker, Will James, Adam Freeland, Simon Garner, Ross Dent, Danny Wilkins, Jean Biansumba, Tunde Owolabi, Chris Bailey. Subs Jake Shawcross, Scott Byrom, Kieron Lee, Bram Johnstone, Ben Cartwright.