In an evenly contested encounter Clitheroe FC progressed through to the next round of The Buildbase FA Trophy, a goal just after half time from Keilen Adams, placing his effort into the bottom corner from a Cole Lonsdale cross, was enough 

Clitheroe keeper Chris Thompson guessed correctly to deny Connor Bell from the penalty spot on the 70th minute. The hosts had Michael Hall sent off in the 90th minute, the referee brandishing 8 yellow cards between the two sides which was a bizarre reflection on the game.

John Thompson had worked tirelessly throughout the week to ensure the pitch at The UTS Stadium was playable, with a constant downpour of rain through the week, credit must go to him and the committee for getting today’s game on. 

Dunston find themselves at top of The Pitching-In Northern Premier North West Division and are unbeaten in their last 5 games, whilst Clitheroe in second, and with a game in hand, are currently unbeaten in the League this season. Today’s game was a break in League encounters with Swaz making one change to the side who won away to Brighouse last Monday, Mechack Kanda coming in for Liam Thear, the later finding a place on the bench.

There was little to separate the two sides in the opening 30 minutes of play, Ursene Mouanda blasting an effort over the bar on 8 minutes whilst Clitheroe’s Kielen Adams fired an effort wide of Connells’ goal on 11 minutes

Heslop and Capewell were booked in the first half, whilst Connor Bell’s effort on goal was deflected over for a corner.

With two Clitheroe players booked before half time, there had not been much to separate the two sides, or indeed comment on, other than the need for the referee to speak to Clitheroe bench.

Dunston’s best move of the game came just before the interval, Connor Bell denied a goal by superb save from Chris Thompson with the two sides heading in level at the break.

Clitheroe were to take the lead 3 minutes after the re-start; former Oldham Athletic youngster Kielen Adams firing his effort into the bottom corner from a Cole Lonsdale delivery from the left hand side.

A flurry of substitutions and yellow cards pervaded the next 25 minutes of play, the main piece of action coming on the 70th minute, the referee awarding a penalty to Dunston for an alleged handball in the box. With Galbraith off and Fitzpatrick on the bench, up stepped Connor Bell, the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player seeing his effort saved as Thompson guessed correctly.

Clitheroe were prevented by the wood work with four minutes remaining, Connor Gaul delivering a cross to the far post, Craig Hobson seeing effort coming back off the bar and the post.

Dunston skipper Michael Hall was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute as the game ended 0-1 to Clitheroe. 

After the game we sent our best reporter, and sponsor of Luke Page’s away kit, Riley Davison to speak to Scott Heslop.

“It was a tough one to take, we’ve missed a penalty and I think we’ve done enough to at least get a draw out of the game and take it to penalties”.

“They’ll be there or there abouts at the end of the season and we’ve more than matched them today”

Speaking on his injury

“It’s my hamstring as always, so I’d expect I’ll be out possibly 1-2 weeks”

On how the season’s going so far

“I think the lads are doing well this season, there’s a lot of confidence. We’re looking well with the new formation and we’ve got the players to really push on this season”.

“We’re creating lot of chances this season and we should be putting them away, That’s partly down to me, but I think we’re doing really well this season and look like as strong force”. 

Dunston UTS FC Supporter Club Man of The Match awarded to Dan Capewell.

Dan Capewell in sponsored by:

Home shirt - Jimmy Souley

Away shirt - Billy Irwin Painter and Decorator

Training kit - Christina Shell.