Captain Ollie Stirzaker led from the front with a hat-trick as the Blues made themselves at home at Roefield to romp to their biggest win of the season.

In a game switched from Shawbridge to the new all-weather surface at Roefield, Dennis Hill’s side turned on the style before the break to lead 5-0.

With the points in the bag, the Blues lose their edge for a spell in the second half.

But two late goals underlined Clitheroe’s superiority as they completed a fourth win of the season in the Lancashire FA County U21 League.

“I have said for a while that we would give someone a beating,” said Hill.

“We have been playing well but not finishing things off. Tonight we did.

“The pitch suited the way we played. We played some excellent stuff and have just strengthened things up a bit as well in a couple of areas.

“That should give them a lot of confidence.”

The Blues took control right from the start and only a handful of smart saves from Barrow goalkeeper Oscar Jones prevented a landslide.

However, he was powerless to stop Stirzaker opening the scoring as the Blues’ front man benefitted from a lucky ricochet to open the floodgates.

Stirzaker then headed the second with only 10 minutes gone and the contest was over by the break after Liam Clegg drilled in the third goal, Shaun Lyttle tapped in and Jamie Scorah slotted home a fifth after another Stirzaker effort had been blocked.

To Barrow’s credit, they refused to buckle after the break as the Blues’ passing game briefly deserted them.

The Cumbrians pulled a goal back when Charley Thompson slotted home.

But Hill’s men had the final word as Stirzaker finally completed his hat-trick – heading in from a corner – before substitute Ben Ricard ran through to complete the rout.

Clitheroe: O’Rourke, Devenney, C Lloyd, Rawcliffe (Ricard 65), Lyttle, Clegg, Sullivan, K Lloyd (Mason 70), Mourtie (Pennington 70), Stirzaker, Scorah (Roberts 65).