RAMSBOTTOM UTD...0

CLITHEROE...2

CLITHEROE, fresh from their FA Vase success against Arlesey last Saturday, went through to the semi-finals of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy, where they will meet Barrow on Tuesday.

Neil Spencer and Martin Aspinwall were the Blues' scorers but boss lee Sculpher will be concerned over the injury to striker Lee Cryer, who went off injured during the game.

The visitors made a confident start, forcing two corner kicks in the opening minute. On five minutes Ramsbottom lost the ball in midfield, the visitors counter-attacked and Martin Aspinwall's cross found the unmarked Neil Spencer who scored with a clinical finish.

In the opening 15 minutes Clitheroe looked much sharper and more threatening with Ramsbottom failing to test Kris Richens in the Clitheroe goal.

On 20 minutes Mike Langhorn cleared off the line to prevent a second Clitheroe goal.

Russell Brierley set up a good chance for Danny Goodall but the midfielder's shot was way off target.

On 33 minutes Paul Horridge made an excellent stop from substitute Chris Whittingham on for the injured Lee Cryer. As the first half drew to a conclusion Ramsbottom started to put a few attacks together, but at the break Clitheroe fully deserved their lead.

The second half opened with Clitheroe making a strong start and they doubled their lead on 53 minutes. Aspinwall scored following a corner kick on the right. With half an hour remaining Ramsbottom still failed to find a serious strike on goal as the Clitheroe defence gave nothing away and provided excellent cover for keeper Richens.

Clitheroe always looked in control and forced Horridge into a couple of good stops at the expense of corner kicks. Ten minutes from time Ramsbottom finally opened up the Clitheroe defence but Yorke-Robinson wasted a glorious opportunity when he fired well over Richen's crossbar.

In the closing minutes Ramsbottom did create a couple of half chances, but in the end Clitheroe fully deserved their two-goal victory and a trip to UniBond high flyers Barrow next Tuesday leaving Mike Kelly's Ramsbottom with nothing to play for although with four defeats in a row they could still become involved in a relegation battle.

CLITHEROE are at home to Skelmersdale tomorrow while Ramsbottom are at home to Glossop, both games in NWCL Division One.