Pete Tonge gives his take on the Vics' exit from the FA Cup at the preliminary round stage...

CLITHEROE dominated Saturday's clash with Northwich Victoria from the start and deserved to progress through to the FA Cup first round with a 2-1 win.

Overall, it was a poor performance from the Vics who never really got going.

However they did have the best player on the pitch in centre back Rudy Misambo who was immense in dealing with the dangerous Sefton Gonzalez.

Vics' higher league opponents started as they carried on, as in the first minute a deep cross from Lonsdale was headed back by Gonzales and Billy Priestley was there to force a tremendous save from Chris Cheetham returning to the Vics' team after an injury.

The next minute they came even closer as they broke quickly and put a ball into the box which was headed down into the back of the net but the liner had his flag up, offside!

In the fifth minute, Matty Birchall sped down the left for Vics and fired a low cross in which Chad Whyte couldn't quite get on the end of.

However it was all Clitheroe but the dangerous Sefton Gonzales was being superbly marshalled by Rudy Misambo and despite all the pressure, Clitheoe were creating few chances.

In the 19th minute, Birchall again did well down the left and whipped another great ball in, but again Whyte and Curtis failed to take advantage.

Clitheroe were dominant however, but failed to make chances, but Cheetham was forced into a great save in the 35th minute as a corner was cleared out to Connelly who fired in a powerful goal-bound shot.

Vics' defence finally succumbed in the 51st minute as Jake Connelly escaped down the left and put in a low cross which Ross Dent converted at the far post.

Five minutes later, Vics had a rare sight of goal as Kieron Curtis was played through but his shot was superbly blocked by a Clitheroe defender.

Clitheroe were still well in control of the match and having the majority of the play but again without that cutting edge.

In the 72nd minute, a long ball found Gonzales and he managed to turn Barski and fire in a shot which forced Cheetham into a fine save as the ball was heading for the far corner of the net.

Clitheroe eventually got their second goal in the 84th minute as Ross Dent was played through and smashed a good finish into the back of the net.

Vics finally started to push now, and got a goal back in the 90th minute when a scramble in the goal mouth led to Ryan Winder firing against a post but the ball fell to Josh Winder who slotted the ball home to give Vics just a glimmer of hope.

However despite pushing Misambo forward for the last few minutes, it was all far too little far too late for the Vics.

They return to North West Counties League action at home to Padiham on Saturday.

Match facts:

Northwich Vics 1 Clitheroe 2

FA Cup preliminary round, Sunday 22nd August 2021, at Wincham Park, Northwich

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Misambo, Barski, Fleming (Roberts 66'), R Winder, Sherlock, Mather (Kelly 83'), Curtis, Birchall, Whyte (J Winder 64'). Subs not used: Lewkowski, Brew-Butler, Allen, Clarke

Goals: Clitheroe: Dent 52' 85'. Vics: J Winder 90'