Clitheroe.............3

Addingham............4

Addingham travelled to Colne to play Clitheroe in a re-run of last years epic battle for the Division One championship which saw both teams promoted to the Premier League.

The two sides appear to have adapted well to the Premier Division with only two points separating the two teams in fifth and sixth positions at the start of play.

The game got off to a quiet start with both teams taking time to adjust to the windy conditions and awkward sandy playing surface. It was Clitheroe who had the first real chances of the encounter using the wind blowing down the sloping pitch to put pressure on the Addingham defence.

The defence held firm despite a few teething problems to the new look formation.

With Robert Walker absent without leave Addingham tried yet another central defensive partnership this time with Dustin King and the experienced Kevin Bates flanked by Richard Mills and Campbell in the full-back roles.

It was the midfield that was the key to this game for Addingham and following a Clitheroe near miss the midfield began to dig in and fight under the orders of their general Simon Collins. The extra vigour provided Addingham with the opportunity to supply the ball to their hungry strikers Jamie Barrow and Paul Wintersgill and suddenly Addingham were the ones applying the pressure.

Following a typically twisting and courageous run from Carl Kernick Addingham earned a corner from which they capitalised.

Barrow took the kick from the right and picked out Tim Marriott who coolly nodded home for his seventh of the season from close range.

Addingham continued to press following the goal creating a golden opportunity for Barrow who narrowly missed following more good work from Kernick on the left.

Further battling by the Addingham veteran midfielder Jez Parker allowed Wintersgill to break down the right and as the play broke up Mills found himself in space about 30 yards out from goal. It was from here that he fired in a fierce shot to which the 'keeper despairingly managed to get fingertips to and push over the bar.

It was following this and against the run of play that Clitheroe equalised. Following a quick break away the Addingham defence was caught napping and allowed the Clitheroe striker to capitalise on a loose ball firing into corner despite a valiant attempt by Andrew Dobson in the Addingham goal.

Addingham's spirit was not broken by the setback and sure enough regained the lead within five minutes. Again it was Marriott who scored, pouncing from another set piece to squeeze the ball home with the Clitheroe defence stood admiring. To continue the goal scoring pattern Clitheroe again equalised but in a disputed manner.

The man in the middle provided the game with its first contentious issue. With Clitheroe on the attack the ball was played to a forward who had strayed at least ten feet beyond the Addingham back line. Addingham appealed for the off-side at which the striker stopped only to continue when he realised the referee would not be giving the decision.

He advanced and centred the ball where his striking partner finished to the uproar of the Addingham players and supporters. To make matters worse Addingham conceded another shortly after. Following a long throw in, a Clitheroe attacker found he had time to turn and unleash a shot that left Dobson only able to parry into the net. At half-time Addingham were trailing 3-2 having been ahead twice in the game.

Addingham started the second-half playing down the slope now determined to gain a result and went close in the opening exchanges when following good work from Wintersgill, Simon Collins was freed in the box but was unable to pressure the ball home.

With Addingham pushing forward it left Clitheroe to counter which they did upon numerous occasions throughout the half.

A special mention has to go to the Clitheroe centre- forward for his tiresome dedication and workmanship toward his collection of 'You've been framed' howlers. He must have been through on goal with only Dobson to beat at least six times and managed to finish none of them, the most astonishing when having rounded Dobson he managed to miss an open goal to the relief and amusement of the Addingham players.

It was not only he who could not beat Dobson but Addingham thankfully could not score past their own 'keeper. Firstly, Dustin King sliced a clearance which Dobson managed to tip over the bar, then Mills sliced a volleyed clearance which Dobson managed to push onto the post via the bar.

In the melee following this Collins accidentally aimed a diving header towards his own goal which again Dobson managed to save. Having rode their luck through these antics Addingham equalised. With less than 15 minutes remaining manager Mark Ridley and team coach Lee Parker instructed Addingham to alter their formation by pushing King from defence into the midfield.

This had the desired effect of freeing more time for Collins who was able to feed Barrow and Wintersgill. It was on one such occasion that Barrow received the ball turn sharply and fired an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner.

Addingham now pressed on for the winner and King and Collins paid for their ambition both getting injured for the cause. Within five minutes of equalising Addingham took the lead and won the game with a Jez Parker finish. More good work from Kernick and Barrow resulted in a delicate ball being played across the penalty box which found Parker in space to rifle home.

The threat of Clitheroe had now disappeared as had their lead and Addingham held out for the final ten minutes even managing to create an opportunity for Barrow but the chance was squandered.

Addingham celebrated another victory of their continued purple patch that has transformed their season.

Match Point went to Richard Mills for a polished display.