Clitheroe FC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lower Breck in their opening game of the season, with a second-half goal proving the difference between the two sides despite a determined performance from the Blues.

The game started lively, with some late challenges being left from both teams and neither side willing to back off. Chances came at both ends during the opening stages, although nothing serious enough to worry either goalkeeper. Clitheroe showed early intent through Jason Gilchrist and Touray, both coming close as they looked to establish themselves in the game. A dangerous long throw from Maine Walder caused problems for the Lower Breck defence, the ball was glanced on by Touray and dropped into the six-yard box, where Josh Briggs was agonisingly close to making contact but could not quite get his head on the ball. Not long later, Freddie Machell found his way into the referee’s book after a clumsy foul that prevented a potentially worrying Lower Breck counter-attack, seemingly the right decision as the free kick came to nothing.

Clitheroe continued to build momentum and produced one of the best moves of the first half when Touray threaded an excellent through ball with the outside of his boot to Rio Alston. The winger drove at the defender before seeing his effort blocked and go out for a throw-in. The blues were beginning to grow into the game and looked dangerous whenever they attacked. Another opportunity followed from a corner delivered by Jordan Windass. The goalkeeper punched clear, only for Briggs to volley the ball back into the area. The resulting effort was blocked and bounced back towards Windass, who struck a volley aimed at the near post that was well saved by the Lower Breck goalkeeper.

The visitors gradually started to create opportunities of their own. Gill linked up well with Burns, who attempted to force his way into the box before being tackled, while shortly after Cherera looked set to break through on goal only to be denied by a good clearance from Sean Newton. Touray’s work rate nearly handed Clitheroe the breakthrough when pressing the Lower Breck goalkeeper. The keeper was caught on the ball, unable to get it out from his feet in time, and his attempted clearance hit Touray, narrowly bouncing wide for a goal kick. The blues came close again before half time, with Walder playing a dangerous ball across the face of goal where Gilchrist met it from close range, but his effort flew just over the crossbar. Despite both sides enjoying spells of controlling the game, neither could find the breakthrough before the whistle.

Half Time: Lower Breck 0-0 Clitheroe FC

Sean McConville made his first change at the break, introducing Nathan Sandison in place of Josh Briggs, who was returning from injury, as Clitheroe looked to find some extra energy in attack. They started the second half positively, with Alston capitalising on a mistake by the Lower Breck defence, battling to keep the ball in play before winning possession back and delivering into the box. Sandison controlled the ball on his chest and managed to get a shot away, but could not make a clean connection and the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save. However, against the run of play, Lower Breck were the first to find the back of the net. A long ball over the top caused problems for Clitheroe, with goalkeeper Liam Isherwood coming out to claim it. Sam Burns reacted quickest, getting a touch and poking the ball beyond the keeper to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. This shifted the momentum of the game as Lower Breck continued to press forward and almost doubled their advantage as Gill was played through on goal but saw his effort drift narrowly wide of the post.

The visitors then made a change, with Jak McCourt making way for Teddy Woolland. Clitheroe responded well and looked for a route back into the game, another long throw into the six-yard box found Sean Newton, who flicked the ball on towards Touray, but the striker’s header went straight at the goalkeeper. Max Harrison was then introduced in place of Jordan Windass as the Blues continued to search for an equaliser. Alston remained a constant threat down the wing, producing some clever footwork to create space before firing an effort just wide of the target. Further attacking changes followed as Harry Scarborough replaced Gilchrist, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Driving forward with support either side of him, Scarborough chose to go alone, but his effort was blocked by a defender. The rebound fell for Touray, whose strike was again kept out by the goalkeeper. The pressure continued to build, as Harrison delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area that found Touray unmarked, but the Lower Breck goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to get down and make another important save.

Clitheroe continued to search for an equaliser. Jordan Carroll took a great touch and produced some excellent skill to beat two defenders before working the ball to Touray, who forced yet another save from the Lower Breck goalkeeper. Soon after, another save led to a corner for the Blues, but the resulting attack broke down and Lower Breck quickly countered, with Gill finding Burns, who was unable to convert. Sean Newton then produced a dangerous cross from the left, the delivery picked out Scarborough, but his header at the near post drifted wide of the target. A late opportunity arrived when a Lower Breck midfielder’s header back towards his goalkeeper fell for Jordan Carroll. The midfielder managed to get a shot away under pressure, but it narrowly went wide. As frustrations grew in the closing stages, Harrison was shown a yellow card for dissent while taking a throw in. The referee then blew his whistle for full time, giving the away side 3 points in a very closely contested game. Matters worsened after the final whistle, when Harrison received a second yellow card, again for dissent.

Despite their late pressure, Clitheroe couldn’t find a way back into the game, with too many close chances not being finished and proving to be what made the difference.

Full Time: Lower Breck 1-0 Clitheroe FC