Clitheroe vs 1874 Northwich

74 were able to reintroduce captain Matt Woolley to the side after having to sit out in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle Town a week earlier, Isaac Noble kept his place on the right wing as Joe Woolley continued in the middle of the park. Tony Aghayere was preferred in goal on the night as Ellis Allen took a place on the bench.

The home side controlled the first 25 minutes of the game and were asking lots of questions of the 74 defence. The opening exchanges saw a number of efforts towards the 74 goal with Aghayere comfortably dealing with anything being thrown his way, the closest the hosts came was through Reece Webb-Foster who sent a low drive which was held by Aghayere.

Against the run of play, 1874 took the lead, Mackenzie O’Neill and Fenton Green combined neatly down the left wing to release Green in to the box, his skillfull foot work beat his marker, his cut back aimed at Josh Quarless hit a number of legs before ending up in the back of the net.

Just after the half hour mark, Clitheroe levelled. Full back Jack Burrows got the beating of Liam Buckley with the assist of a fortunate ricochet, he drove a cross in to the 6-yard box which took a skew off Jack Marrows shin and in to the top left corner of his own net.

An own goal each had us back all square.

1874 started the second half with purpose and higher intensity. The lively Fenton Green was making it all happen for 74, his powerful drive carrying the ball up field opened space for Joe Woolley to take aim after being teed up by Green, Joe’s goal bound strike from 20 yards hit Cameron Lancaster at the back for Clitheroe and won 74 a corner

Just like the first half it was a goal against the run of play which put one side in front. Clitheroe’s Ross Dent guided a half volley in to the bottom right corner to leave Aghayere with no chance.

1874 nearly responded immediately, Josh Quarless had a shot inside the area blocked on the line by Lee Pugh.

Quarless again took aim from distance curling one over Thompsons bar.

The shots kept coming from 1874, Buckley, Woolley and O’Neill all having shots at goal but failing to hit the target and test Clitheroe’s lead.

Jeanny Leblanc-Akpo was introduced and was making an immediate impact on the game. His pace and strength running with the ball was causing much panic for Pugh at full back for Clitheroe. Leblanc-Akpo beat Pugh and crossed in to the box which was scrambled for a corner with O’Neill waiting to tap home at the back post.

1874 pushed hard for an equaliser and it wasn’t to be. Clitheroe managed the barrages of 1874 attacks well and saw out their one goal margin to advance in the FA Trophy.