Despite having the first real chance of the game, Ossett were relatively unthreatening towards Benjamin Woodhead’s goal all afternoon. Dan Monfredi hit a shot from the edge of the area that was cleared off the line by the Clitheroe defence.

It took Clitheroe only 11 minutes to break down Ossett’s leaky defence. Ross Dent was found from a set piece and his close range header looped into the net starting off an awful afternoon for the league strugglers in 22nd place.

Christopher Lynch got his first, smashing home from inside the crowded Town area. Bandon Barski put a good ball in the box which was blocked excellently by Ossett centre-back Joseph Ojo. Town were unable to clear the resulting corner which eventually fell to Lynch.

The Reds managed a few good spells of football in a game where they were second best throughout. Ossett started knocking the ball around with confidence using both wings. The ball was pulled back to Dan Monfredi who, much like Ossett’s season so far, failed to deliver with the shot not worrying Woodhead.

There were chances for both sides towards the later end of the first half with Clitheroe’s Scott Harries firing over from close range. Ossett’s Fernando Moke was denied by the offside flag before rounding the keeper from an accurate Tawanda Rupere through ball.

Gonzalez sealed the win for The Blues five minutes before half time when his initial effort was parried by Chris Backhouse. The Town defence were slow to react and the striker made no mistake the second time of asking.

The Red’s faced more pressure in the second half with crosses coming in from both sides. Dent went close from the edge of the area on the right but his shot curled wide of the far post.

Two more quick goals from Lynch and Gonzales, completing their braces respectively further concluded the inevitable.

The away side continued to press and were unlucky not to score again at the end of the match when Backhouse made two quick-fire saves and managed to get hold of the ball in safe arms preventing them from conceding six for the first time this season.

Town were awarded a penalty by referee Wade Smith late on.
Substitute David Brown took the kick and slotted home a consolation goal in a tough match for Ossett Town. They will need to find a change in form in the coming weeks in order to lift themselves clear of the relegation zone and stay in the league.