CLITHEROE 5 COLNE 1

CLITHEROE 5 COLNE 1
27/12/21
A near record attendance packed into Shawbridge and were treated to a five-star showing as the rampant Blues underlined their play-off credentials with a derby-day demolition. A remarkable crowd of 1,679 produced what’s thought to be the second highest home attendance in the Blues’ history – bettered only by an FA Vase semi-final gate 25 years ago.

Clitheroe were chasing national glory back then and are again in the hunt for honours as they try to finally move up from Northern Premier League West Division level. There’s still a long way to go and automatic promotion will be a tough ask as Marine currently lead the table by eight points. But Billy Priestley’s men are going great guns in their bid to secure a top-five finish and a play-off spot.

A fifth successive home win kept the Blues on a roll and the four-goal margin of a comprehensive victory was enough to lift them into third spot on goal difference ahead of Saturday’s trip to second-placed Workington Town. Terry Cummings’ late goal was the one needed to move the Blues up a place after all the damage had been done in the first half following a four-goal burst launched by Cummings’ opener.

The Blues were missing a number of players, including skipper and former Colne striker Sefton Gonzales, but still had too much for a Colne side also without a number of regulars. Former Wigan and Newcastle United midfielder Ryan Taylor threatened early on for the visitors with a free-kick saved by Chris Thompson.

And the Reds were quick to cancel out Cummings’ headed goal when Anthony Williams hooked the ball home after the hosts failed to deal with a long throw. But three goals in 10 minutes then put the Blues in complete control as they gave the fans what they came to see.

Cole Lonsdale curled in a superb free-kick before Priestley – again leading by example – powered home a header against his former club. And recent recruit Max Cane – a constant threat with his pace on his full debut – then made it 4-1 when he seized on a short back-pass from Lee Pugh to slot home.

Colne had no answer to the poise and power of the Blues, who could have added to their tally before the break. And it remained largely one-way traffic after the interval as the midfield trio of captain Ross Dent, Danny Wilkins and Richie Baker drove the Blues on. Wide men Cummings and Ben McKenna continued to cause problems, with one superb McKenna cross giving Cummings a heading chance he couldn’t take before the wingers again combined for Cummings to fire wide.

Cane was denied by Ryan Forde, who also saved from Dent at the end of a typically flowing move. But there was still a big finale to come as Cummings capped an outstanding display with a classy finish a minute from the end as the Blues ended a near perfect day in fitting style.

Team : Chris Thompson, Jamie Edwards, Cole Lonsdale, Richard Baker, Jack Burrows, Billy Priestley (Finlay Devenney), Terry Cummings, Danny Wilkins, Max Cane (Curtis Poole), Ross Dent (c), Ben McKenna. Subs - Curtis Poole, Finlay Devenney. Not used - Jake Connelly, Matthew Hodds.

Colne: Ford, Gourley, Dugdale, Makinson (Canon-Noren 10), Pugh, Taylor, Russell, Roberts (Winstanley 36), Bayode (Ellis 74), Webb-Foster, Williams.

Attendance: 1,679