Clitheroe and Runcorn played out a pulsating top of the table clash with the game ebbing and flowing throughout. Runcorn shaded the first half and had the ball in the net within the first 10 minutes, only for the neat finish from a low cross to be ruled out for a marginal offside decision. With Sefton Gonzales back in the line up, there was an abundance of attacking riches for the home side, but the three strikers were getting used to each other as a three man unit for much of the first half. Jack Massey had a dangerous break on 35 minutes, but he too fell foul of the offside flag. The visitors took the lead on 40 minutes after a short Runcorn free kick from inside the Clitheroe half saw a low shot arrow towards the near post for dangerman Oliver Molloy to steer the ball home. As the clock ticked down, Clitheroe’s Ross Dent was primed to shoot with the goal at his mercy, but a desperate dive blocked his shot.

The second half went mainly the way of the home side although Runcorn switched to counter attack in an instant and had half chances of their own. On 56 minutes, Gonzales had his shot headed off the line after he had engineered space for himself on the edge of the box. Aamar Hussain was brought on as substitute and slowly but surely the Runcorn team was unlocked. On 62 minutes, Clitheroe substitute Matty Clarke received a flick on behind the defence but his shot lacked power as it narrowly missed the post. Three minutes later, Hussain released Clarke and this time his first time effort was a fierce drive which drew a good save. However, scores were level on 72 minutes as Clitheroe skipper Richard Baker sent a teasing corner into a crowded box which eluded everyone to go straight in. This sparked the crowd to raise the noise levels and one minute later, Clarke burst down the left and laid the ball to Massey who turned and saw his shot saved at virtual point blank range. As the clock ticked down, Massey was sent free behind the defence and his superb shot drew a fine save.

In the end the sides had to share the spoils after a hugely entertaining game.
TEAM : 1 Hakan Burton, 2 Jacob Hanson, 3 Michael Davies, 4 Domaine Rouse, 5 Andrew Teague, 6 William Hall, 7 Richard Baker, 8 Ross Dent, 9 Sefton Gonzales, 10 Louis Potts, 11 Jack Massey. SUBS : 15 Matthew Clarke, 16 Amaar Hussain. Not used : 12 Simon Njaria, 14 Matthew Barlow, 17 Veron Parny.