Clitheroe were beaten 3-1 by Wythenshawe in a game that had two very different halves, as two goals in quick succession before the break put the hosts firmly in control before a great second-half response from the Blues not being enough to pull it back.

The visitors were made to work hard from the whistle, with Wythenshawe threatening early as Freddie Machell gave away a free kick around 20 yards out, though Liam Isherwood got across to it and made the save comfortably. Clitheroe looked to settle into the game through some neat link-up play down the left between Maine Walder and Nathan Sandison, creating a couple of chances for Harry Scarborough, but nothing came together well enough for him to be able to get a shot off. Sean Newton then played in Rio Alston down the right wing with a great through ball, and a mistake from the Wythenshawe defender allowed him to cut inside and get an effort away, only for it to hit Scarborough on its way through and deflect out for a goal kick. Wythenshawe began to pull back control of the game from there, putting together a good run of chances and forcing a series of corners in quick succession, though none of them led to anything clear-cut. The pressure eventually paid off, as Samuel Adewusi was played through on goal with Ditch caught out of position, and the striker kept his composure to chip an oncoming Isherwood from the edge of the box and give the hosts the lead.

Clitheroe finally found their first real foothold in the game soon after, as Alston played an excellent long ball over the top to Jason Gilchrist. With a decision to make between going alone or squaring it wide, Gilchrist opted to lay it off to Sandison on the left, whose effort was well blocked, but it was a promising opportunity for the Blues. It didn't last long, though, as Wythenshawe doubled their advantage from a corner, the ball dropping to the centre of the box where Adewusi was there yet again to tap home his second of the afternoon. Clitheroe responded with a good spell of their own, Scarborough and Alston combining well down the right before the ball found its way to Sandison at the back post, who managed to volley towards goal, only to see his effort narrowly cleared away just before it crossed the line. Wythenshawe made their first change shortly after, bringing on Joel Ankers in place of the goalscorer Adewusi who had cramp and couldn’t continue, and the substitute had an almost instant impact. Darius Palma drove into a pocket of space and squared the ball to Ankers, who got a shot away from the edge of the box, though it dragged just wide of the post.

Clitheroe continued to search for a way back into the game. A well-taken free kick from Max Harrison managed to pick out Gilchrist at the back post, but his header was caught by the goalkeeper. Scarborough then had an effort of his own from the edge of the box in the final moments of the half, but it was straight at the keeper, however was a promising sign for Clitheroe going into the second half. Sandison, being Clitheroe’s strongest outlet going forwards, found some space of his own and struck from 25 yards, forcing another good save from the Wythenshawe goalkeeper as the half drew to a close.

Half Time: Wythenshawe 2-0 Clitheroe

Clitheroe made a change at the break, with Alston making way for Wilkins as the Blues looked for a way back into the contest. Sandison picked up almost exactly where he left off, forcing another save from distance with a shot from around 30 yards that won an early corner, though it came to nothing. On 59 minutes, Clitheroe made a second change, bringing on Josh Briggs in place of Walder, giving them more attacking threat going forwards while looking for a way back into the game. Sandison continued to be the main outlet for the Blues, driving at the Wythenshawe defence before cutting inside and forcing yet another save from the goalkeeper. He wouldn’t be kept out for much longer though, as he again created space for himself and pulled one back for Clitheroe with a great strike from 30 yards out. The keeper managed a hand to it but just couldn’t keep it from going in.

The goal gave Clitheroe more belief, and they continued to push for an equaliser. A Wythenshawe player was booked for a poor high challenge on Scarborough, giving the Blues a free kick from near the halfway line, which was eventually worked into a corner. Sandison remained at the heart of everything positive from Clitheroe, driving into space once more and sliding Briggs in behind, but his effort drifted just wide of the post. Wythenshawe responded with a change of their own, replacing Palma with Joao Silva, while Clitheroe made two further late substitutions, with Ditch making way for Jake Carroll and Harrison replaced by Carter. Wythenshawe brought on Jack Banister for Joel Mumbongo as both sides looked to see out the closing stages. With Clitheroe committing everyone forward for a late corner in search of an equaliser, Wythenshawe broke away and caught the Blues short at the back. The visitors were played in behind, left one-on-one with Isherwood, and after a couple of passes between the attackers trying to find a way past the Clitheroe goalkeeper who produced two great saves, the ball was finally slotted home to put the result to bed.

Clitheroe had a difficult first half which was the difference in the game, with two goals conceded in quick succession putting Wythenshawe in control before the Blues could really get going.

Full Time: Wythenshawe 3-1 Clitheroe

- Charlie Barnes