Clitheroe show character

Prescot Cables 2-2 Clitheroe 20-08-19

Clitheroe show character

In driving rain, Clitheroe took their new look side to Prescot and were desperately unlucky not to take all three points back down the East Lancs.

The only change from Saturday’s line up was the enforced change for Paul Dugdale after his head injury, with Cole Lonsdale dropping back to left back and Conor Gaul coming on to the left flank. The first 25 minutes were all Clitheroe, with Owen Watkinson belying his years and proving a constant thorn in Prescot’s side. On 11 minutes, Lonsdale swung in a great free kick and Watkinson’s header under pressure was deflected over. Two minutes later, Terry Cummings wriggled free and laid the bill to Charlie Mulgrew, who ballooned it over.

The first big chance came on 23 minutes, when Watkinson was put through and his firm shot was well saved by the keeper with his legs. The mood changed minutes later, when Jacob Gregory got tangled with ex Blue Lloyd Dean in the box, and he ended up virtually bear hugging him to the ground. The subsequent penalty was converted by James Edgar. This put the wind in Prescot’s sails and whilst their chances were limited to long range efforts, the Clitheroe defence could not take their eyes off Dean, who was at his pacy best.

The second half followed the same pattern, but this time the visitors were rewarded for their efforts. On 49 minutes, great Clitheroe interplay finally saw Connor Gaul go close. On 56 minutes, scores were level after a low Watkinson cross was glanced on by Gaul into Hyuga Tanner’s midriff, who controlled, juggled and then fired the ball home. A goal of real quality.

Gaul and Tanner then swapped roles as Tanner turned provider with an exquisite pass between defenders to release Gaul, who surged forward 40 yards from goal, and after bamboozling the defence he cut inside and thumped the ball under the keeper at the near post. With Prescot there for the taking, Clitheroe appeared happy to sit deeper and the home side turned up the pressure. Having dealt with a long succession of corners, Clitheroe finally succumbed to some poor defending from a deep out swinging corner on 84 minutes as Edgar struck for the second time to head Prescot's equaliser.

Despite a measure of disappointment, the ovation from the travelling fans showed that this team is starting to capture the imagination of the Blues’ fans with a lot more to come.

Team : Connor King, Jacob Gregory, Cole Lonsdale, Craig Stanley, Markell Foulds (Oliver Muir), Charlie Mulgrew, Terry Cummins (Jordan Darr), Charlie Russell (c), Owen Watkinson (Elliot Pond), Hyuga Tanner, Conor Gaul. Subs - Jordan Darr, Elliot Pond, Oliver Muir. Not used - Danny Gray, Cameron Terry.