Clitheroe play host to FA Trophy royalty in York City on Saturday at the Loom Loft Stadium as the Ribble Valley based team are aiming to push even further in the competition to continue their historic run.
Heading into this, Clitheroe have been in great form. Despite sitting 11th in the league, Sean McConville’s men are currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions including a valiant point away at league leaders Lower Breck last weekend. The Blues have also been stubborn at the back, conceding just three times during that spell, which could frustrate a York side that have been scoring for fun of late.
As for the visitors, York head into the game sitting fourth in the National League, three tiers above The Blues, currently on an impressive six game winning streak and in prolific goalscoring form with 24 goals in those games, something Clitheroe will need to stay wary of.
Last time out in the FA Trophy Clitheroe managed to write history by beating Chester FC 1-0 at the Deva Stadium through a Harry Scarborough goal, taking them the furthest they have ever been in the competition before.
Although this is York City’s first game in this season’s competition with National League sides entering in the third round, they are no strangers to the Trophy and are eyeing up the opportunity to become record breaking three-time champions having previously won the competition in 2012 and 2017.
Speaking on the fixture, Blues boss McConville was excited with the prospect of playing the Minstermen although he admitted it would be tough.
‘‘It’s a smashing game,” he said. “We are playing a team with a budget that’s bigger than ours and we are going to be the underdog.’’
Despite this, McConville has no intentions of going down without a fight.
‘‘I just want us to have a good go, we aren’t going to sit in, we’re going to have a good go at York, there’s nothing to lose and the lads have earned a great day out in the sun as they say.
“I think our fans will come out in numbers, I hope they do because the lads deserve it. They are playing really well. We have done a load of analysis on York this week, we have watched them already and we hope we can create a magical cup upset that everyone wants in the FA Trophy.’’
All things told, both teams are in winning form at the moment and it should make for an exciting day of football.
n Tickets for the game have almost sold out and will not be available at the gate. For more information, go to clitheroe.co.uk
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