Clitheroe.F.C. 2 Wakefield.F.C. 2
Match report (Ross McLean)---------Saturday 22nd September 2012
Clitheroe let a two-goal slip as basement side Wakefield left Shawbridge with a share of the spoils.
Goals from Daley Woods and Danny Bell gave the Blues a commanding lead before the visitors replied with a quick-fire double to draw level before half-time.
Paul Moore made two changes to the starting line-up from Tuesday’s FA Trophy defeat to Northwich Victoria with Hakan Burton returning in goal and Danny Bell replacing Andy Naylor.
The game was only two minutes old when a seemingly harmless cross from Woods was fumbled into his own net by keeper Neil Bennett who was making his Wakefield debut.
The home side were very much in the driving seat at this stage with Alex Johnson and Bell both having chances to extend the lead before the pair combined in the 29th minute to double Clitheroe’s advantage.
Johnson slipped in Bell who beat Bennett with a left-foot effort from inside the penalty area.
Despite appearing in total control, Wakefield were level by the break with two goals in the final eight minutes of the half.
Hakan Burton had pulled off an impressive save to deny Harry Blakey from range moments before Lee Tuner found the top corner from the edge of the area after a Dave Pickering cross from the right was only half-cleared.
The visitors equalised on the stroke of half-time as a collective defensive failure afforded Blakey an opportunity to bear down on goal and finish past Burton.
The second period was a frustrating affair with Clitheroe unable to establish any real momentum or rhythm and Wakefield content to wind the clock down from a relatively early stage.
Johnson continued to prove a handful in the attacking third but a winning goal was not forthcoming. Woods had a firm attempt saved by Bennett and substitute Marcus Calvert’s snap-shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide of the upright.
At the other end, Jack Higgins and Chris Smalley were required to execute perfectly-timed tackles as Wakefield looked to hit Clitheroe on the break when the game became stretched late on as hosts pushed forward.
After half an hour of this encounter it was looking as though Clitheroe would be improving an indifferent record against Wakefield in recent years but a win was ultimately not possible. A point maintains Clitheroe’s unbeaten start to the league campaign, and not since 2003 have the Blues remained undefeated for the opening five league matches of a season.
Clitheroe: Neil Bennett, Dave Pickering, Josh Grant, Micah Bleau, Jack Fisher, Dominic Dickinson, Lee Turner (Jasmin Alali 89), Harry Blakey, Dave Boardman (Ross Hardaker 90), Darren Thornton (Adam Jarrett 83), Ian Marsden. Subs not used: Ryan Grant
Bookings: Blakey
Attendance: 220
Wakefield get there first point ofthe seasn against 5th place Clitheroe, not bad to say the The Bears was 2 goals down
Well done guys
