With debutant Kai Calderbank-Park replacing the injured Connor King in goal, the game could not have started in a more explosive fashion. With the Blues kicking off, the ball was quickly squandered and as it was hoofed down the Brighouse left, Jacob Gregory found himself back pedalling as it looped over his head.
A Brighouse forward gathered the ball and struck a modest, scudding shot towards goal. Calderbank-Park went to ground full length but he could only look in horror as the ball bounced over his hand. Unsurprisingly, Clitheroe came back at full tilt and Charlie Russell led from the front as he ploughed down the pitch only for his run to be ended right on the edge of the box. Step forward Connor Gaul, and his superb free kick eluded the wall and the despairing keeper.
On 7 minutes, Terry Cummings burst down the right and his cross to Owen Watkinson was laid off to Gaul, whose shot was turned for a corner. Five minutes later, Watkinson hared towards goal and a masterly defensive tackle just nicked the ball from him as he shaped to shoot. The balance of the half remained with Clitheroe as the home team became frustrated and resorted to a number of industrial challenges which helped them towards their tally of five yellows.

In the second half, Russell shot narrowly wide from distance on 51 minutes and it looked like normal service had been resumed. However, Brighouse quickly began to pull the strings and Clitheroe’s shape began to disappear as the midfield found itself overrun. On 61 minutes, the home side took the lead from a regulation corner, which was not cleared before being bundled home. Five minutes later, Gaul whipped in a superb cross which Russell steered on the volley goalwards, only to see the ball bury itself in the keeper’s midriff. To compound matters, on 70 minutes, a Brighouse striker twisted and turned in the Clitheroe half and struck a solid strike beyond the keeper.

That was the end of the action and the clock ticked down. Clitheroe probably displayed a level of ring rust after last week’s postponement, but the poor second half display more worryingly displayed a lack of appetite to match a physical side in difficult conditions. As winter kicks in, manager Phil Brown will be looking to nip this in the bud and to start his next run on Boxing Day in front of his home crowd and with all the comforts of home.
Kai Calderbank-Park made his debut in place of Connor King in goal, Finlay Armstrong replaced Danny Gray in defence. Mitch George made his debut from the subs bench.

Goals: Brighouse Town - 1 min, 61, 71 : Clitheroe - Gaul 4 mins

Team : Kai Calderbank-Park, Jacob Gregory, Finlay Armstrong, Craig Stanley, Oliver Muir, Charlie Russell (c), Terry Cummins (Markell Foulds), Oscar O'Neil (Mitch George), Owen Watkinson, Craig Carney, Conor Gaul (Ollie Stirzaker). Subs - Mitch George, Markell Foulds, Ollie Stirzaker. Not used - Jake Connelly, Danny Gray.