Craig Hobson off the mark as Blues extend unbeaten start.

Craig Hobson’s first goal in a Clitheroe shirt extended the Blues’ impressive start to the season as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games. Hobson fired David Lynch’s men ahead early in the second half as they chased a hat-trick of away wins.
But a quick headed reply from new signing Sean O'Mahoney extended Runcorn’s own unbeaten league start as the Blues were forced to share the points from a highly competitive clash at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.
Boss Lynch named an unchanged starting line-up following the Blues’ mid-week win at Mossley, with Ollie Muir returning on the bench in place of the injury Danny Pilkington. Kielan Adams had opened his goal-scoring account at Mossley and went close to putting the Blues ahead again with a fierce strike well saved by Linnets keeper Josh Molloy.

Hobson also headed just wide, although the home side - who gave debuts to three new recruits - also had openings before the break with Danny Wilkins and Jimmy Mutton both forced into goalline clearances for the Blues. There had been little in it but the Blues grabbed the initiative five minutes into the second half as Hobson calmly lifted the ball over Molloy to put the visitors in front.

Hobson was then denied a second by Molloy’s point-blank save and, crucially, Clitheroe’s lead was to last just 12 minutes before Cork City defender Mahoney marked his Runcorn debut by meeting a corner to nod home the equaliser from inside the six-yard box. The Blues recovered from that blow to re-group and finish strongly and in a tense finish had chances to go on and win it. But despite delivering plenty of balls into the Runcorn penalty area no-one could get a decisive touch.

Adams couldn't capitalise on a late opening and substitute Kieran Feeney was denied a possible dramatic last-gasp winner when his effort was disallowed for handball. The result saw the Blues surrender top spot in the North-West Division as Dunston moved back to the top of the pile.
But another point keeps the momentum going as Lynch's men prepare for next Tuesday night’s big local derby at home to a Ramsbottom side which extended its 100 per cent start with a late winner at home to bottom club Ossett United.

Team : Chris Thompson, Markell Foulds (Terry Cummins), Cole Lonsdale, Chris Smalley, James Mutton, Billy Priestley (c), Kielen Adams, Ross Dent (Conor Gaul), Craig Hobson (Kieran Feeney), Danny Wilkins, Gary Stopforth. Subs - Terry Cummins, Conor Gaul, Kieran Feeney. Not used - Oliver Muir, Braulio Maieco.

Runcorn Linnets: Moolloy, Brown (Brizell 68), Short, Welsh, Wylie (Hayes 55), O'Mahoney, Lindfield, McCready, Wharton, Brooke, Sherlock. Substitutes: Murray, Crilley, Ruffer

Attendance; 305