Clitheroe 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 1

CLITHEROE won their first silverware in 13 years last night after a dramatic late winner from the most unlikely of sources secured the North Western Trains League Floodlit Trophy.

The Blues looked to be heading for extra time after a titanic struggle with high-flying Kidsgrove Athletic before substitute Dennis Hill popped up with six minutes left to score with a diving header.

"You couldn't have written a better script than that," beamed manager Steve Parry.

"I've only ever seen Dennis score once before with his head and when that happened they had to bring on a hairdryer at half time because it messed his hair up.

"But we deserved it.

"We played really well and everyone of the lads was tremendous."

The Blues were simply irresistible in the opening half hour.

Dave Gardner put them infront after eight minutes when he reacted quickest to tuck away a rebound after Brian Welch's shot had been pushed out by the Grove keeper.

And they should have been out of sight after carving out a hatful of chances in the next 20 minutes. Superb saves denied both Welch and Gardner, Gary Rishton headed just over from a corner, and Welch struck the bar with another firecracker. But Athletic clawed their way back and they bagged a fortuitous equaliser on 34 minutes when a shot struck keeper Andy Hills and crept in.

In an end-to-end second half both sides had chances to seize the intiative.

Welch and Wayne Haworth both spurned good chances for the Blues, Hills made a great block to keep out a shot at the back post and Darren Norman booted another effort off the line.

But a double substitution with 15 minutes left paid dividends.

Dave Sharples and Haworth combined to send away Carl Greenwood and Hill met his right-wing centre with a diving header.

"It's a great way to finish off the season," said Parry.

"We've achieved one of our objectives and hopefully we can build on it."

Andy Hills, Gary Rishton, Mark Stewart, Dave Sharples and Darren Norman are all out of tomorrow's clash with Rossendale at Dark Lane.

But Jon Parrott and Barry Hart will be back.

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