Workington 0 Clitheroe 1

Clitheroe shrugged off the disappointment of the weekend’s defeat and put on an outstanding performance at Workington to redress the balance and to secure their first ever league win on the Cumbrian coast.

With the side having a more familiar feel to it, Clitheroe immediately set about their task and dominated the first half. With Reece Webb-Foster leading the line, his first chance came on 5 minutes after Max Cane flicked a header on, before Webb-Foster could only find the side netting after shielding the ball well. On 9 minutes, Jamie Edwards freed to play down the flank again, saw a goal bound thunderbolt palmed away and 2 minutes later Edwards turned provider and Bailey Sloane skimmed the bar with a screamer.
On 13 minutes Cane was slipped through by Ross Dent and his shot demanded a finger tip save. Workington were resorting to increasingly desperate tactics to stem the tide, but despite the constant Clitheroe pressure, the ball would simply not go in the net. On 37 minutes, Edwards received a superb cross field ball and he set up Sloane for another great shot. The following minute, Sloane slalomed into the box and forced another great save, seconds after a half hearted Workington shout for a penalty. The home side had their first chance just before the whistle blew when a deep cross was glanced wide, but at half time, the Blues had dominated totally but with nothing to show for it.

Workington shuffled the pack in the second half and applied slightly more pressure, but Clitheroe still had most of the possession, if fewer attempts on goal. After a good Workington break on 51 minutes, it was time for the Blues to be camped in the home box, with the small knot of Clitheroe fans crying out for a clean shot on goal as blocks flew in from all sides.

Finally on 58 minutes, Dent shielded a ball as it was cleared and he laid it to Webb-Foster, who with minimal fuss, crashed the ball into the top corner of the goal from 20 yards, with the keeper rooted to the spot. The game finally opened up with flurries of activity at both ends, but with Cameron Lancaster and Billy Priestley in imperious form for the Blues. As the clock ticked down, Sloane had another fierce drive saved, with Cane just failing to get to the parried ball before the keeper.

When the final whistle went, no one on the ground doubted the best team had won, but were probably surprised that the score line had not been greater.

Team: Thompson, Cummings, Sloane, Baker, Lancaster, Priestley, Cane, Wilkins, Webb-Foster, Dent, Edwards
Sub (used) Gonzales
Subs (not used) Byrom, Leigh