Clitheroe’s dismal post war record in the FA Cup continued as they went out of the FA Cup at the first time of asking in their replay at Sheffield and can have few complaints.

The Blues started brightly after their three hour coach journey and took an early lead when Louis Potts had a firm header from a corner saved at point blank range before he gleefully thumped the rebound home. The lead only lasted three minutes. From a low free kick on the apex of the Clitheroe box, a Sheffield forward met the ball under no pressure and glanced the ball expertly into the corner of the goal. Minutes later, the same process was repeated, as a cross from the right in open play was headed into the Clitheroe goal in a carbon copy affair. All of a sudden Clitheroe looked unsure of themselves and the Sheffield players scented more goals and harried the visitors at every opportunity. On 16 minutes, Solomon Honor made a great diving save and was pleased to see the follow up spooned over the bar. Minutes later, Honor punched a deep cross behind him, and after the ball bounced, the Sheffield header arrowed just over the bar. Clitheroe slowly started to reassert themselves, with Miles Storey and Javaun Splatt showing sparks of creativity. On 31 minutes, Danny Wilkins picked out Splatt but his shot was comfortably smothered. Minutes later, the tie was almost effectively over when Domaine Rouse gave the ball away within the six yard box, but made amends and dived full length to save a certain goal. The impressive Jacob Hanson came nearest to equalising as the clock ticked down, but his shot bent narrowly around the post.
Jimmy Bell rang the changes at half time and brought on Veron Parny and Sajjad Elhassan, reverting to three at the back. The plan almost immediately back fired as Sheffield ran at the new back line and were grateful to Honor for two excellent stops. However, slowly but surely the more attacking formation started to stifle Sheffield in their own half. On 57 minutes the excellent 18 year old, Connor High, received the ball just outside the area and picked out the far corner of the goal to bring the scores level. This sparked a short purple patch for Clitheroe, but soon Sheffield were knocking on the door again. On 70 minutes, Honor made another excellent save as a home forward bulldozed through the defence, and minutes later after High lost the ball near the bye line, Sam Olawumi was penalised for a foul in the area. The penalty was converted and even though half chances fell to both sides, Sheffield ran out deserved winners.
TEAM: 1 Solomon Honor, 2 Jacob Hanson, 3 Lee Pugh, 4 Sam Olawumi, 5 Domaine Rouse, 6 Ross Dent, 7 Miles Storey, 8 Connor High, 9 Louis Potts, 10 Danny Wilkins, 11 Javaun Splatt. SUBS USED: 12 Sajjad Elhassan, 14 Veron Parny, 15 Sean McConville. Not Used: 16 Cameron Lancaster, 17 Michael Bartley, 18 Joel Booth, 19 Hakan Burton.