Ramsbottom United 3 Clitheroe 0

Clitheroe’s recent run of poor form continued against Ramsbottom United, and whilst the home side stopped their own recent slump, Clitheroe continued to be less than the sum of their talented parts.

The pitch was a credit to the home groundsman after heavy rain from lunchtime, but by the time the game started, the rain had abated and held off for almost the full duration of the match. Clitheroe were backed by their largest and noisiest away support for many years and the stage was set to get the dreadful Market Drayton performance out of the collective system. However, it was not to be, with Ramsbottom smarting about their own dreadful form, and the lively atmosphere seemed to give them extra energy as they hustled and harried for the full 90 minutes.

The task for Clitheroe got harder on 10 minutes as Billy Priestley was outmuscled by the left winger and from a skidding low cross, the ball was thumped first time past Lee Camp in goal. Still Clitheroe were playing ponderous football and they had the bar to thank ten minutes later when a deep free kick hit the woodwork. Key possession was being conceded cheaply in the middle of the park and it took until 34 minutes for the Blues to register a chance, with Richie Baker putting Max Cane through, only for him to under hit the final shot. As part of a small revival, Baker had the home keeper going full length to save a goal bound shot, but that was the extent of Clitheroe chances.

The Blues came out a changed side in the second half and for 10 minutes looked likely to get back in the game. The best chance came one minute after the restart, when Sefton Gonzales found himself poised six yards out to deflect a floated free kick past the keeper, but failed to make contact with the goal gaping. Other half chances came, but the game was put further out of reach on when a burst down the Ramsbottom right, saw a low cross met by a flashing diving header, giving Camp no chance.

Minutes later, the game was effectively over when Camp was beaten at his near post by a first time shot. Changes were rung and fresh legs were introduced. Terry Cummings and Jake Connelly looked lively and caused the home side problems. Cane went close as his 40 yard run saw his shot well saved, Clitheroe hit the bar and Bailey Sloane spooned the ball over at the death after good work by Connelly, but it was too little too late.

Football is a confidence game and at the minute, the Clitheroe confidence is ebbing away. Challenges do not reduce though and a trip to second placed Marine awaits next week.

Attendance 354.

Team : Lee Camp, Jamie Edwards, Bailey Sloane, Richard Baker (Joel Byrom), Jack Hopkins, Billy Priestley, Max Cane, Danny Wilkins, Sefton Gonzales (c) (Terry Cummings), Ross Dent, Ben McKenna (Jake Connelly). Subs - Terry Cummings, Jake Connelly, Joel Byrom. Not used - Jack Burrows, George Bristol.