Knox seals an impressive win for Colne

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, the crowd of just over 200 was rewarded by a thoroughly entertaining competitive game played out in good spirit.

The game opened with some end-to-end play and Alex Curran came close after 12 minutes when his shot was blocked following Danny Pilkington’s left wing cross.

But as play switched to the to the other end, Marley Blair cut in from the left wing and rattled the crossbar with a shot that beat Hakan Burton but rebounded to safety.

The Reds came close after 22 minutes when Curran’s run took him to the edge of the area, but his well-struck shot flew just over the bar.

Colne pressed forward with more promising attacks and were rewarded after 26 minutes when a corner was half cleared to Lee Pugh, who saw his 25-yard pile driver blocked in the goalmouth, and when Chris Lynch crossed the loose ball into the danger area, Luke Higham fired home from 12 yards.

Burnley drew level ten minutes later when Ntumba Massanka headed home a high cross from a corner kick.

As the Clarets stepped up the pressure, Burton made saves from close range to deny Tinashe Chakwana to keep the scores level at half-time.

In the second half, Curran saw his shot deflected for a corner, while at the other end, Alex Coleman did well to turn Josh Benson’s shot wide of the Colne goal.

The Reds came close on the hour when Sam Howell’s run on the left set up Connor Hughes, but his shot was well saved by Adam Bruce.

After 72 minutes, however, Bruce was left rooted to the spot when Bradley Knox unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard volley into roof of the net to restore Colne’s lead.

Again the Clarets were stung into action and Rob Harker saw his shot deflected just wide of the far post, before the same player headed wide from the resulting corner.

Minutes later, Mace Goodrich’s shot was cleared by Lynch as the hosts out.

Colne are at Charnock Richard tomorrow.

DAVE PRIESTLEY