Clitheroe vs Sporting Khalsa Match Recap - Oct 28, 2025

In a thrilling encounter at The Loom Loft Stadium on October 28, Clitheroe and Sporting Khalsa played to an exhilarating 3-3 draw that felt both satisfying and frustrating for both sides. With the stakes high in the Non-League Division One - Northern West, the match showcased the desperation to secure vital points as each team grapples with their place in the standings.

Entering the match, Clitheroe found themselves in 15th place with 17 points from 13 matches, buoyed by two consecutive victories. Conversely, Sporting Khalsa, one point adrift in 18th place with 15 points from 15 games, entered the contest seeking to overcome a run of poor form. As I had predicted in my preview, the urgency in this match was palpable, and the players certainly delivered on that front.

Clitheroe drew first blood in the 18th minute when Kyle Wilson, the player I suggested could make an impact, netted the opener, sending the home fans into a rapturous celebration. However, Khalsa quickly responded, leveling the match just ten minutes later through Craig Bannister. The back-and-forth nature of this contest continued as the teams exchanged blows. Clitheroe regained the lead in the 36th minute with another goal from Wilson, but again Khalsa would not be outdone, making it 2-2 shortly before half-time thanks to a strike from Owen Evans.

As the second half unfolded, the tension escalated. Clitheroe took the lead for the third time in the 61st minute with a goal from Jason Briggs, but a resilient Sporting Khalsa equalized once again through Tom Peers in the 76th minute. It was a match characterized by resilience; each team seemed to embody the spirit of the underdog battling against the odds.

Statistically, the match was neck and neck, with both teams trading possession and opportunities. Clitheroe held on to hope for a win, but as the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard reflected a hard-fought draw that left both teams pondering what could have been. With Clitheroe remaining in 15th place and Khalsa still clinging to the relegation zone, this result felt more like a setback than a triumph.

As the teams move forward, both will need to capitalize on the momentum generated, despite the draw's implications. Clitheroe will look to build on their scoring prowess while seeking more consistency, while Khalsa must aim to harness the fight they demonstrated today into future performances. With every point crucial in this fiercely contested league, both sides know that the battle for survival is far from over. In the end, their spirits, while dented, were not broken-setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing remainder of the season.