Goals from Ntumba Massanka and Leon Creech helped Clitheroe beat a determined City of Liverpool side 2-0 as The Blues aim to finish the season strongly.

Although promotion is no longer possible, Clitheroe were aiming to bounce back from their defeat on the road to Trafford last week to finish the season on a higher points tally than last. As for City of Liverpool, the already relegated Merseyside town was playing for nothing but pride in this game at the EcoGiants Stadium.

An early chance came for Clitheroe in the 8th minute as Jordan Windass struck the ball well from outside the area but was saved comfortably by Conor Robson.

A great chance for Clitheroe to take the lead came again in the 20th minute when Creech carried the ball into the box and forced a fantastic save from Robson for a corner.

Another golden opportunity came for The Blues when Creech once again found himself some space in the box but saw his shot blocked off the line bravely by J’nai Butterfield-Steede in the 24th minute.

City of Liverpool retaliated with a good chance of their own as Ismail Sonko looked certain to score but James McClenaghan made himself big to prevent Sonko from close range in the 26th minute.
Another chance fell to Sonko again on the stroke of half time in 45+1 but McClenaghan got the better of the City of Liverpool strike once more.

HT Clitheroe 0-0 City of Liverpool.

Into the second half and player-manager Sean McConville made several changes including subbing himself on in an attempt to turn the tide of the game.
Another good opportunity came for Clitheroe as Jack Massey found some space out wide and played a deep cross to Veron Parny who just glanced a header wide in the 69th minute.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute when Creech laid off the ball to an onrushing Massanka who slot the ball past Robson to make it 1-0.

Shortly after Clitheroe doubled their lead after McConville played a beautifully lofted through ball to Creech who finessed the ball beyond Robson to seal the victory for The Blues and make it 2-0.

Full Time: Clitheroe 2-0 City of Liverpool.

Clitheroe will look to build on their strong finish to the season with an away trip to Atherton Collieries on Monday 21st April.