Clitheroe struck late again for a 3-2 win over Chasetown, continuing their winning run in an entertaining game that saw the Blues gain an early two-goal lead before having to fight back a second-half comeback from the visitors.

Clitheroe were completely dominant in the opening five minutes, creating plenty of chances down both sides of the pitch, including a brilliantly worked corner routine that gave promising early signs. Chasetown, seemingly opted to simply get rid of the ball and clear it whenever possible, which only gave Clitheroe more opportunities to keep possession and work their way forward. The home side didn't take long to make this dominance count, taking the lead through another chance down the left side, with Demi Rhami given the room to deliver a cross that was met by the head of Nathan Sandison to open the scoring, nodding it into the bottom right corner.

Clitheroe were almost immediately back in again, as Rhami once more exploited the space down the left, this time opting to play it low across the face of goal, and the ball was met by the boot of Harry Scarborough at the front post who simply tapped it home for the second, a well-deserved goal that had been coming since the beginning of the season. Chasetown replied to this with a couple of chances of their own, with Tak Sambizi making a great run in behind and linking up play well with Jack Langston, but the chance came to any easy save for Liam Isherwood.

Clitheroe made forced into making an early change, with Ross Dent coming on for an injured Jordan Carroll, the blues taking precaution and hoping it won’t be serious. Rhami continued to look like Clitheroe's brightest spark going forward, with countless chances down the left giving him the opportunity to test the goalkeeper on several occasions. Chasetown, meanwhile, continued to struggle to create chances, unable to manage anything past their own half, still opting to clear the ball rather than try to play out. Clitheroe's attacking threat quietened somewhat as the half wore on, though Chasetown still hadn't looked remotely close to finding a way back into the game.

Half Time: Clitheroe FC 2-0 Chasetown FC

The visitors came out for the second half with much more fight, something we hadn’t seen from them in first half, managing a couple of early on as they looked to find a way back into the game. They had made a double change at the break bringing on Matt Funge and Kyle Moseley in place of Lachlan Suffell and Tak Sambizi. Clitheroe still had their moments too, with a good run from Scarborough seeing him play a ball in behind to Freddie Machell, who cut back onto his right foot, but his effort went just wide of the target. Chasetown eventually got the goal they were looking for, pulling one back through Matt Heasey, whose shot took a deflection and found the centre of the goal. Unfortunate for Isherwood who was already diving to his left for where he thought the effort was going. Not long after, Jake Carroll was booked for a foul that gave away a penalty to Chasetown, however it seemed as though the incident had taken place outside of the penalty area from the commotion and appeals among the Clitheroe players. There was no changing the referee’s mind at this point, and Jack Langston stepped up to convert it down the middle in the roof of the net, levelling the game and making it 2-2.

Clitheroe responded by making a change, pushing for a winner by bringing on Gilchrist for Machell, while Chasetown also made a substitution of their own, with Logan Cousins replacing George Cater. Clitheroe then made a double change, introducing Max Harrison and Rio Alston in place of Jordan Windass and Sandison as they looked to retake control of the game. The changes paid off almost immediately, as a corner taken by Max Harrison fell into the centre of the box and was smashed home by Gilchrist from six yards.

This looked to be a late winner for the home side, but they would have to make sure they saw the game out the Chasetown attack. Clitheroe made a further change, with Rhami making way for Josh Briggs, while Chasetown brought on Luke Chapman for Marques Trowers as they searched for a way back level. Both teams doing the opposite, with Clitheroe going more defensive and Chasetown throwing on more attackers to search for another equaliser. The visitors barely managed a chance from that point on, with Clitheroe firmly back in control of the game. Gilchrist did well to carry the ball deep into the Chasetown half in an effort to run down the clock, then finding Scarborough to his right, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper. That was enough for the blues though, as the referee blew for full time, seeing them take all three points.

Clitheroe will be pleased to come away with all three points after a game that looked well in hand before Chasetown's second-half response threatened to spoil the afternoon. A fast start and a well-timed response from the bench proved enough to see the Blues over the line.

Full Time: Clitheroe FC 3-2 Chasetown FC

- Charlie Barnes