MATCH REPORT: CLITHEROE VS SHEFFIELD FC (FA CUP)

  • 21/08/2024

A late equaliser from Clitheroe ensured it goes to a replay at The Home of Football on Tuesday, as Sheffield were pegged back by their Lancashire hosts, to draw an entertaining FA Cup tie 2-2.

The home side took an early lead on eight minutes, moments after Danny Wilkins rattled the bar, a long Lee Pugh throw was bundled over the line by Louis Potts.

Just four minutes later Clitheroe found themselves down to ten men, a long ball found Luke Aldrich haring down on goal only to be wiped out by Domaine Rouse, leaving referee James Gallagher with no doubt but to brandish a red card.

Club were awarded a penalty on 34 minutes, Javaun Splatt fouling Jamie Yates in the box, however they were denied when Luke Mangham’s spot-kick was saved by Solomon Honor.

Frustrations continued for the visitors just minutes later, as Bradley Beatson found his way into Mr Gallagher’s book for a second time, levelling matters up numerically to ten-a-side.

Five minutes into first half stoppage time came a moment to savour, as Club equalised with a world-class half-volley from Luke Aldrich, his fourth in four games to make it 1-1.

Clitheroe had the ball in the net just before the hour, Pugh hitting one from 30 yards which was well saved by Myles Wright, however Potts’ headed rebound was ruled out for offside.

Sheffield took the lead four minutes later, a free-kick on the edge of the area from Stephen Brogan, with the shot feathered around the wall and into the top corner to make it 2-1 to Club.

The game was levelled on 83 minutes, a scrappy free for all found the ball at the feet of Jacob Hanson, who managed to stab the ball home to the relief of the Clitheroe faithful and sending the game to a rematch in Dronfield.

Clitheroe: 1 Solomon Honor, 2 Jacob Hanson, 3 Lee Pugh, 4 Sam Olawumi ©, 5 Domaine Rouse, 6 Danny Wilkins, 7 Javaun Splatt, 8 Ross Dent, 9 Louis Potts, 10 Veron Parny, 11 Miles Storey. 

Subs: 12 Connor High, 14 Sean McConville, 15 Joel Booth, 16 Michael Bartley, 17 Sajjad Elhassan, 18 Cameron Lancaster, 19 Hakan Burton.

Sheffield FC: 1 Myles Wright, 2 Sam Greenhouse, 3 Jack Dolman, 4 AJ Greaves, 5 Alfie Smith ©, 6 Bradley Beatson, 7 Harry Mitchell, 8 Connor Cutts, 10 Luke Aldrich, 11 Stephen Brogan, 12 Luke Mangham. 

Subs: 14 Jamie Yates, 15 Rory Coleman, 16 Reece Fielding, 20 Matt Roney.

Referee: James Gallaher

Attendance: 504