Clitheroe took all three points on Saturday as they beat NPL West relegation battlers Sporting Khalsa 2-0, making it back-to-back clean sheets as they look to end the season strongly, writes Fabio Passerini.
It was a quick start for the Blues, who took the lead inside eight minutes after Lewis Trickett was brought down in the box. Harry Scarborough stepped up and sent Brandon Ganley the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Clitheroe almost doubled their lead in the 20th minute when a header flicked on by Trickett found Josh Briggs, but he was unable to convert from close range.
However, it did not take long for the pressure to result in another goal for the visitors, as Luke Gill, pictured, found the back of the net after meeting a Jordan Windass cross at the near post to tap home.
Khalsa attempted to respond in the second half, with their only real chance falling to Sam Fitzgerald, who found himself one-on-one with Zac Hadi. But the Bradford loanee stayed tall to prevent being lobbed.
Clitheroe searched for a third goal and came agonisingly close in the 61st minute when Scarborough played Briggs through on goal, but once again Ganley got the better of him.
The last real chance of the game fell to Danny Wilkins with 10 minutes to go, as the midfielder found himself with half a yard of space on the edge of the box before lashing a shot goalwards, but it drifted wide of the post.
The result moves Clitheroe up one place into 13th. While there is little riding on results at this stage of the season, Sean McConville’s men will be hoping to build on their recent performances as they look to finish the campaign on a high and prepare for next season.
Their next game, however, will provide a real test, as they take on Bury at home in front of a sell out crowd on Easter Monday.
Share