Brown Up For Trophy Test

Blues boss Phil Brown is looking to keep firing on all fronts as Clitheroe launch their Lancashire FA Trophy challenge on Wednesday night.

Brown’s boys are flying in the league with five successive wins lifting them to second spot in the BetVictor North-West Division.

And Brown wants no letting up in the county cup when his side faces top-flight outfit Atherton Collieries at Shawbridge (KO 7.45pm).

“It’s a competition close to my heart,” said the Blues’ manager.

“I like the LFA Trophy. I’ve visited the semi-final and final quite a few times with different teams.

“Cleggy (Michael Clegg) has done a great job at Atherton and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’ve got a lot of respect for Atherton Collieries, anyway.

“It will be a tough game, but we want to keep the momentum going and we want progress.

“It’s a good trophy and we will take it seriously, as I’m sure Atherton will, and it should make for a good spectacle.”

Collieries come to Clitheroe – finalists in 2018 – on the back of three successive league defeats to sit just one place above the drop zone in the Premier Division.

But the Greater Manchester side are still going in the FA Trophy, with a home tie against league rivals Morpeth Town in the second qualifying round on Saturday.

Fans are reminded that it’s an all-pay gate for Wednesday’s tie, but normal match-day admission prices have been cut across the board.

And season-ticket holders from both clubs will gain entry for just £5, with £3 concessions.
Meanwhile, Clitheroe will go to Marine next Tuesday night for their re-arranged Integro Cup first-round fixture.