Blues bounce back in style with best performance of the season

Clitheroe shrugged off the disappointment of their FA Cup departure and on their return to the Wirral for the second time in three days put in their best display of the season to move to second place in the table. With Danny Wilkins and Richie Baker restored to the team, Clitheroe quickly took control of the game and simply never let their grip slip.

They took the lead as early as the 12th minute when Sefton Gonzales intercepted a weary looking back-pass, took it round the keeper and shot first time from an acute angle. Within minutes, Wilkins almost repeated the feat as he also cut out a stray back-pass but with only the keeper to beat, his fierce shot was well saved. The second goal was not long coming, though, and after Wilkins had been fouled well inside the home half, the following free-kick found Harrison Burke in the box.

With a defender tight behind him, he controlled the ball, spun the defender and thumped the ball home from six yards. By now Clitheroe were taking a grip on midfield and further half chances came and went before the half time whistle blew.
Barely had the second half started before the Blues increase their lead. Gary Stopforth, charging forward from his right back position, won a tackle deep in home territory.

He forced his way past two defenders and raced to the bye-line before sending in a low cross for Baker to slot home, despite a brave effort from the City keeper. By now it was one-way traffic, with the Blues playing superb free-flowing football.

Gonzales had several further chances foiled before the scoreline was given an extra gloss as the game entered injury-time and substitute Alex Turner was flattened just inside the box. Cole Lonsdale almost uprooted the goals as he converted from the penalty spot. When the whistle went, the small band of travelling fans saluted the team and looked forward to a very busy September and back-to-back home games against Runcorn and Marine.

Team : Chris Thompson, Gary Stopforth (Jack Burrows), Cole Lonsdale, Richie Baker, Harrison Burke, Billy Priestley, Jamie Edwards (Alex Turner), Danny Wilkins, Sefton Gonzales (c), Ross Dent, Jake Connelly (Taylor Brickell). Subs - Taylor Brickell, Jack Burrows, Alex Turner. Not used - Joel Mills, Conor Gaul