In front of an excellent crowd of almost 400 people, boosted by new faces inspired by non league day, Clitheroe succumbed to an impressive Prescot side, who continue to have the Indian sign over the men in blue. Whilst Clitheroe matched the visitors in the centre of the pitch, it was Prescot’s nous at the back and clinical, pacy attacking which was the difference.

In the early exchanges, Clitheroe were keen to make an early impressions. Cole Lonsdale whistled a central freekick narrowly over the bar, and 17 year old Jake Connelly crossed dangerously for danger man Terry Cummings to receive at his feet, but his shot was well blocked. However, after 23 minutes it was inevitably ex Blue Lloyd Dean who forced the breakthrough as he hared from the half way line down the right flank after a Lonsdale error and his slide rule pass to George Hassall was easily slotted home.
Connor Gaul and Cummings then had some good interplay but Cummings just could not get hold of the through ball. The Prescot lead was then doubled on 40 minutes when Markell Foulds slipped as he looked to clear near the half way line, and the ball ricocheted back over his head, with a strong suspicion of hand in the mix. In the footrace which followed, James Edgar got the ball under control and loosed off a firm shot towards goal. Connor King parried, but Hassall was there to pick up the pieces.

In the first ten minutes of the second half, Clitheroe had two great chances to pull the score back. On 53 minutes Gaul worked his way through the defence but somehow found his feet tangled and he could not get a shot off. Three minutes later, a Clitheroe corner caused mayhem in the visitor’s defence, before on 58 minutes Connelly delivered a scudding cross into a packed area and it was inconceivable that no one could get on the end of it. As the crowd paused for breath and dreamt of more chances, Edgar raced away with the ball and from his low cross, Hassall steamed in and his bullet header was not to be denied. This took the wind out of the Blues sails and for several minutes the visitors indulged in some showboating. However, the game was gone and dreams of FA Trophy glory were put to bed for another season.

Team : Connor King, Jacob Gregory (c), Cole Lonsdale (Danny Gray), Tom Dean, Markell Foulds, Charlie Mulgrew (Charlie Russell), Terry Cummins, Craig Carney, Owen Watkinson, Conor Gaul, Jake Connelly (Ollie Wood). Subs - Danny Gray, Ollie Wood, Charlie Russell. Not used - Oliver Muir.