Clitheroe came from behind to beat Stalybridge Celtic 2-1 in a dramatic turnaround, with two second-half goals cancelling out an early setback to complete an incredible comeback for the Blues.

It was a scrappy start to the game, with neither side able to establish real control of possession and few clear-cut chances created by either team. Clitheroe had an early sight of goal when Scarborough won a free kick near the corner flag, and Jordan Windass's delivery found Wilkins at the back post, who managed to get it in again, only for Ditch's header to go wide of the target. Clitheroe gradually began to handle the game from there, creating more chances as they went, with Scarborough doing well to hold the ball up and Wilkins looking bright whenever he got on the ball. Sandison and Jordan Carroll both tested the target with efforts from distance, finding the target but nothing to seriously trouble the goalkeeper. Stalybridge had their first real chance of the game when the ball dropped to Jack Byrne from an Ellis Horan corner, but his first-time effort flew over the bar. Machell was a real positive for Clitheroe in midfield, helping to create plenty of chances, while Dent put in a real shift defensively, putting everything on the line to keep Stalybridge at bay.

Completely against the run of play, Stalybridge took the lead through Charlie Doyle, who drove towards the box down the right-hand side before finishing low across goal, putting the hosts behind. Dent was then booked for a challenge on the edge of the box, giving Stalybridge a dangerous free kick in a promising position to double their lead, though fortunately for Dent it went over the bar. Stalybridge had another chance soon after down the right, but the resulting header from the cross also went over. Clitheroe continued to try and create chances of their own, progressing the ball forward well, but without any real end product to show for it, with Wilkins and Sandison both showing flashes down the wings without being able to find a breakthrough. Sandison was then booked for a late tackle, sparking some uproar from the Stalybridge bench and players, though it was nothing more than a yellow card, with Sandison unable to pull out of the challenge after committing to it.

Half Time: Clitheroe FC 0-1 Stalybridge Celtic

Clitheroe looked sharper almost immediately after the restart, clearly having been fired up at half time, with Windass having a shot from near the halfway line that narrowly went wide of the target just seconds after kick off. Ditch was then booked for a supposed head into the back of a Stalybridge player, though he had only seemed to have made contact with the ball, and the resulting free kick from 25 yards went straight at the goalkeeper and didn’t trouble Isherwood. Clitheroe would eventually find a leveller, thanks to a great low cross from Windass, which fizzed across the face of goal and was met by the boot of Scarborough, though it might have been an own goal given the mixed celebrations. Windass then produced another excellent ball across the face of goal, which again met Scarborough's boot, but he couldn't quite direct it goalwards and it went narrowly wide of the post.

Clitheroe made a change shortly after, with Dent making way for Rhami, and it proved to be a decision that would pay off. A poor clearance header from the Stalybridge goalkeeper presented Rhami with an empty goal from around 35 yards, and his effort came back off the crossbar, falling for Sandison, who could just about about get a shot off while being closed down, but it dragged wide of the far post. Rhami then produced a great cross that found Ditch in the box, who got another good header on target, but it again went narrowly wide. Stalybridge responded with two good efforts of their own as they searched for a way back in front, one forcing a save from Isherwood and the other going very close to the far side netting. A long ball over the top by Wilkins put the Stalybridge goalkeeper under pressure, and Rhami got there first to nod the ball past him and give Clitheroe the lead, the decision to bring him on clearly proving to be the right one.

Stalybridge responded with a double substitution, bringing on Smales-Braithwaite for Doyle and Jerome for Mugalula as they searched for a late equaliser. Clitheroe made a change of their own, with Windass making way for Walder, reinforcing their defence while protecting the lead. Alston continued to look dangerous down the wing, cutting inside with his usual skill past the defender, though his effort ended up over the bar. A great cross into the box from Alston yet again then found Machell, who couldn't quite work the ball out from under his feet and was smothered by the goalkeeper as he attempted to get a shot away. By this point, Clitheroe had full control of the game, giving Stalybridge little chance of finding a way back in. Scarborough and Jake Carroll were both booked in quick succession in the closing stages for delaying the restart, definitely necessary to help see out the result. The referee then blew for full time, giving Clitheroe their first three points of the season after an amazing second half comeback.

Clitheroe looked second best for large parts of the first half but turned the game on its head after the break, with the introduction of Rhami proving influential as the Blues fought back to ensure the victory.

Full Time: Clitheroe FC 2-1 Stalybridge Celtic

- Charlie Barnes