Clitheroe deservedly took the honours in a hard fought local derby with Colne and it was their most and least experienced players who the Blues had to thank for the three points.

With Clitheroe kicking down the hill first half, it was no surprise that the visitors were in the ascendancy but clear cut chances were few and far between. Connor Gaul had multiple half chances as he tormented his marker but could not make any of them count. The best chance fell to Oscar O’Neill in the 17th minute as he picked up the ball beyond the defence, but as he drew out the keeper, his shot was well saved by Hakan Burton. The last couple of minutes of the half were the first sustained period of pressure from the home side, with their best chance falling to Chippendale, who burst through the Clitheroe back line but his shot was smothered by back pedalling defenders.

With the slope in their favour, Colne started the second half brightly. Chippendale again was the man causing problems, but his shot on 57 minutes was well saved by Kai Calderbank-Park, with the rebound just eluding the following up strikers. Minutes later, Mitchell George had a gilt edged chance for the Blues as he received the ball near the foot of the post but his shot scudded across the face of goal. Phil Brown rang the changes and brought on Jacob Gregory for his 100th appearance for the club and it was Gregory who was on hand on 75 minutes to thump home a low driven cross from Gaul. The away fans exploded and Gregory leapt into the melee, followed by his jubilant team mates. Clitheroe has Colne on the ropes and O’Neill had a superb drive tipped away for a corner. But then, Colne appeared to wake from their slumber. On the 84th minute, a 25 yard pile driver screamed against the bar with everyone beaten, before four minutes later, Calderbank-Park made a superb point blank save from a close range header as the Colne forwards queued up in the box.

Clitheroe were not to be denied though and with half the league season now in the bag, they know that their promotion fate is in their own hands and that expectation and excitement is growing, as exemplified by the superb 100+ away support at this game.

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