CLITHEROE kicked off the New Year in spectacular style with a terrific away win in this First North Western Trains League Division One clash.

Steve Parry was clearly delighted with his side's performance after the game and rightly so, as it was difficult to pick out any faults in this magnificent display.

As an attacking unit the Blues always looked dangerous, particularly from Dennis Hill's pinpoint corners and Paul Whalley's penetrating runs from midfield.

The home side, on the other hand, were rarely allowed to threaten and only looked capable of scoring from set pieces. Town saw two half chances sail over the bar in the opening exchanges, but anything more would have been an injustice as Clitheroe continued to assert their authority on the game.

The opening goal came midway through the first half, Hill's corner flicked on towards the penalty spot for centre half Gary Rishton to smash the ball home on the volley. Parry's only concern at half time was goalkeeper Chris Richens, who took a heavy blow to the head before the half-time break, but was determined to carry on.

Despite fears of concussion, Richens was allowed to continue and he did not disappoint, performing what little duties were asked of him with typical conviction.

But it was at the other end that Clitheroe continued to catch the eye. Before long the visitors doubled their lead as Andrew Taylor, in for the absent Carl Greenwood, picked the ball up on the edge of the box before picking his spot from 10 yards, the ball flying into the top corner of the net to put the game beyond Great Harwood.

The three points were sealed when Whalley met another corner from Hill, heading home with 20 minutes left on the clock. The travelling Blues side had several further chances to extend their lead even further in the closing stages.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.