Colne staged a dramatic second half comeback to take all three points in the Boxing Day derby at Barnoldswick Town.
The Reds were second best in the first half and fell two goals behind before pulling a goal back in added time to give themselves a glimmer of hope. But Colne were transformed after the interval and fought hard to take control of the game scoring twice to run out deserved winners.
The Blues started strongly and took the lead after only eight minutes when a low shot by William Procter slipped through the hands of Colne keeper Harry Turner and crept in at the far post. And two minutes later, Turner was in action again to push a shot by Andrew Hill round the post for a corner. Turner did well to block a shot by Procter at his near post after 18 minutes but was helpless as a close range shot by Jenson Butterworth crashed against his crossbar three minutes later.
Colne’s attacks were few and far between with Jack Holt and Rio McEvoy making breaks on the counterattack. But the home side continued to enjoy most of the attacking play. And three minutes before half time, the Reds defence were stretched by a series of crosses in their goalmouth before Procter found the net from close range to double Barnoldswick’s lead.
But two minutes into added time Colne won their first corner of the game and Jordyn Fitton’s delivery was flicked on by Holt at the near post and looped into the far corner of the Barlick net to pull a vital goal back for the Reds.
Two minutes into the second half, it was Colne on the attack and a high cross was punched away by Barlick keeper Callum Jakovlevs and fell to Nathan Cliffe on the edge of the area who found the net with a great volley to level the scores at 2-2.
Colne stepped up the pace and competed strongly in midfield as both sides looked to create chances. A goal-bound free kick by Oli Roberts brought a great save by Turner at the foot of his post. But Matty Argent-Barnes repeatedly found room on the left wing to get behind the Barlick defence and Jude Entwistle and Connor High tormented the home side rearguard with some great interpassing.
After 86 minutes, Fitton released Argent-Barnes on the left wing and his firm cross was headed home by Entwistle as he outjumped the home defender in the goalmouth to give Colne the lead.
Barnoldswick pressed forward in the remaining minutes forcing a series of corners but the Colne defence held firm with Turner looking unbeatable in the net.
The win takes Colne three points nearer safety as they approach another vital game against South Liverpool on Saturday.
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