230110ClitheroeVCablesRpt

The coach left the Hope and Anchor pub 15 or 20 minutes late
as we waited for Aaron Rey to show up. Eventually the wait was
very much worth it.

Having arrived at the ground there was time for a quick meander
up the road to take in the sites. Whilst there wasnt time to visit
Clitheroe Castle it could be seen that the town is quite
picturesque. Some Supporters visited a local hostelry selling
pints of beer called "Sticky Black"or something like that, whilst
others visited a local butchers, renowned for various exotic
sausages.I avoided both.

The Clitheroe ground is quite compact, closed in on all 4 sides
with covered seating and standing areas. The ground is very tidy
and has the benefit of a fairly new pre-fabricated bar/lounge. For
a building of that type it was actually quite nice.A promotion to
get shut of ale near the sell by date, with all pints priced at
£1.50 was a welcome offer. An unusual feature of the ground
was that the dug outs were not positioned on the half way line
but both dugouts placed within one end . This accounted for the
Clitheroe Manager sitting Sam Allardyce style in the stand. No
ear piece and mic.- just shouting orders.

The first half was very even between both sides. John Riley,
back from injury went on several testing runs along the left wing.
Both Phil Green and Aaron Rey seemed to be playing with a lot
of desire both doing their bit for the team by chasing back. Rey
used his strength and althleticism to win several key
challenges. Green showed that he can cause quite a lot of
trouble for the opposition by fighting for evey ball.

At half time it was nil-nil although I did think that Cables shaded
it slightly. Not bad going against a side that had beaten Marine
4-0 in the week and had remained unbeaten for 9 matches.

Both teams suffered and profited from decisions by the officials.
A Clitheroe goal was dissallowed after being touched in by a
Clitheroe player stood on the post. He was judged to have been
offiside, when the ball may well have gone in anyway without his
unecessary interference.

At 65 minutes Rey was put through but still had much to do to
out muscle a Defender and beat the goalie. The Cables fans
were ecstatic. A Cables striker scores at last! Would you Adam
and Eve it!

Dean Thurston was brought on and that seemed to add
something extra to Rey's game. At 85 minutes Rey again found
himself in the oponents box with the ball knocked up and the
opportunity for a spectacular overhead kick to score a
second.I've seen him try them before andthey've not come off.

Rod and Richard, the Cables Small Travelling Band of Nutters
then sprang into life - singing down the megaphone, "You're not
singing anymore". It was true the Clitheroe fans were not
singing for at least 5 minutes during which time Rey missed out
on a third, the ball ricocheting off the post. Then Danny
Williams scored for Clitheroe, taking advantage of a Cables
Defensive error. Clitheroe were singing again!

Where it looked like Cables may go three ahead, for a scary
few minutes there seemed every chance that Clitheroe may
level the game only to be denied by the usual fantastic reflex
saves from Action Paxton. Reporter - GeoffC

Final Score - Clitheroe - 1 v Prescot Cables - 2