Clitheroe FC made an emphatic start to their 2026/27 FA Cup campaign with a 5-0 victory over AFC Liverpool, securing their place in the preliminary round round.

The blues were the stronger team from the opening minutes and quickly established control of the game. Sean McConville’s side lined up in a 4-4-2, with Harry Scarborough and Jason Gilchrist leading the attack and putting the visitors under immediate pressure. This proved effective as mistakes were made, leaving Scarborough open down the right wing to put a cross into the back post, where a great effort by Nathan Sandison was narrowly saved the goalkeeper. However, only 5 minutes late, they broke forwards again and Freddie Machell was brought down on the edge of the box resulting in a free kick. Sean Newton stepped up and produced an excellent finish into the bottom corner from 18 yards, putting them 1-0 up in the tie. AFC Liverpool started to show some signs of promise, with some skill by Aaron Cummins cutting inside past two Clitheroe players and putting in a cross that was easily claimed by goalkeeper Liam Isherwood who was under no pressure.

AFC Liverpool continued struggling to create any pressure as Clitheroe dominated., with another dangerous chance coming close as there were multiple shots from close range inside the box by Scarborough and Sandison, which was eventually cleared out for a corner. A clumsy challenge was made by AFC Liverpool’s Chris Happi-Frankham during a Clitheroe attack, earning himself a yellow card in the process. Just 2 minutes later Rio Alston was played through on the left wing, sending his man the wrong way, before cutting inside and curling a great effort into the far corner to double their advantage. Not long later, Scarborough dropped deeper to receive the ball and was on the resulting end of a reckless and high challenge from the AFC Liverpool number 8, Jordan Monthe. The referee had no chance other than issue a red card to the midfielder, reducing the visitors to 10 men.

The home side took complete advantage of playing against 10 men, continuing to build on a great first half performance they had already shown. Using this they were able to create a great opportunity down the right side, with Jason Gilchrist finding the space to drive into the box and get a shot away which nestled into the far bottom corner despite the keeper's best efforts to reach, making it 3 for the blues. With 3 minutes of added time at the end of the first half Clitheroe were looking for more, with Harry Scarborough nearly adding a fourth, coming very close with his effort hitting the post and bouncing away. Despite that missed opportunity, Clitheroe went into the break completely in control.

Half Time: Clitheroe FC 3-0 AFC Liverpool

The second half began with Clitheroe maintaining the same tempo and pressure. AFC Liverpool made the first change, with Xavier Llorente making way for Luke Skinner. They looked to be struggling, however still managed to try find their way forward, finding a couple of chances to keep possession and progress up the pitch. The blues then made their first changes, bringing on Jensen Carter for Sandison and Max Harrison on for Jordan Windass in the 56th minute. These proved effective as soon after they added another to their tally, another different scorer, with Jake Carroll being the fourth. This came from a corner swung to the back post by Harrison, before a goalmouth scramble, with Carroll reacting quickest to fire it home. Only minutes later, the blues were in again and causing more problems for the visitors with multiple shots from the home side being blocked before eventually put out for a goal kick and giving AFC Liverpool a chance to breathe.

More changes were made into the second half, a triple change this time; Machell being brought off for Jackson Shorrocks, Scarborough making way for Touray, and the last being Brad Ditch coming on for Newton. Making the change in their attack proved to be a good idea as not long after, Touray raced onto a well-weighted pass and calmly slotted home Clitheroe’s fifth of the afternoon. Following this, AFC Liverpool made a triple change; Happi-Frankham coming off for Brogan Clark, Kyle Robinson-Murray coming off for Charlie Duke, and Liam Bott being substituted for Jamie Timlin. The game was effectively settled, although AFC Liverpool continued to look for a consolation goal. Jamie Timlin did well to lay the ball of to Charlie Duke on the edge of the box, however the shot rose over the bar and was of no concern for Isherwood, who looked to be keeping a clean sheet today. In the closing minutes of the game, Clitheroe broke again with a ball aimed at Touray, however Jason Gilchrist ran onto the pass and rounded the goalkeeper to put it in the back of the net before seeing the flag raised and the goal disallowed for offside. The final whistle confirmed a brilliant victory for Clitheroe; five different goal-scorers, a clean sheet, and an impressive attacking display making it an excellent opening to their cup campaign. Clitheroe now progress to the preliminary round of the FA Cup, where they will face Wythenshawe.

Full Time: Clitheroe FC 5-0 AFC Liverpool

– Charlie Barnes