Prescot Cables 0 Clitheroe 2

Clitheroe showed enormous character to withstand the loss of Ross Dent early in the second half to a straight red, and still had time to extend their lead in the dying minutes of the game to send their excellent support home happy.

On a heavy pitch both sides made it clear from the outset that they wanted to play attacking football. Half chances came for both sides but there was a lack of quality at the business end of proceedings. Lee Pugh’s long throw was proving a significant weapon and Clitheroe won a couple of early corners, and it was no surprise when on 15 minutes a huge Pugh throw into the box was headed out desperately by a central defender only for the ball to strike Sefton Gonzales on the head and to ricochet into the net.

This stung Prescot into action and a couple of good breaks deserved better as their strikers ballooned shots over the bar. On 26 minutes, Pugh was nutmegged by the winger and his cross from the bye line screamed across goal desperate for a touch. Five minutes later the home fans were bellowing for a penalty and whilst it was not given, these were nervy moments. Minutes later, another well worked home move saw yet another woeful strike on goal from a good position, when a cooler head would have at least tested Chris Thompson. Clitheroe were still very much looking for their own chances and Gonzales saw his header cleared off the line after another mammoth Pugh throw.

Clitheroe started the second half brightly with Max Cane shooting narrowly over after twisting and turning on the edge of the box. The key moment of the game came on 52 minutes when Ross Dent went for a trademark tackle, but his back foot slipped and the leading foot was forced up, catching the home player full on the shin with studs showing.

There was no intent, but the red card was shown. Clitheroe quickly reverted to one up front with Sefton Gonzales and were then content to let Prescot go at them for the remaining 40 minutes. Prescot used the flanks well and made the extra man tell but apart from a swerving strike well watched by Thompson, the lack of a cutting edge meant that real chances were few and far between.

As the clock ticked down and the home side threw caution to the wind, the excellent Danny Wilkins kept the ball in the home half, rounded a defender and let off a smart shot, which was saved but the keeper could do nothing about the follow up which also took a deflection. The travelling fans behind the goal exploded and knew that the points were heading back up the East Lancs.

Att. 583

Team : Chris Thompson, Jack Burrows (Billy Priestley), Darren Holden, Callum Leigh, Cameron Lancaster, Lee Pugh, Max Cane (Jamie Edwards), Danny Wilkins, Sefton Gonzales, Ross Dent (c), Reece Webb-Foster (Charlie Russell). Subs - Charlie Russell, Jamie Edwards, Billy Priestley. Not used - Richard Baker, Malick Diakite.