After convincingly knocking them out of the League Cup, Clenchwarton inflicted more heartache on West Winch by eventually ending their unbeaten run in the league.
From the off, Clenchwarton set about the Winch players, showing the confidence gained from the impressive run of results that has placed them in the semi-final of the League Cup and within touching distance of the top of the table.
This fixture is always an entertaining one for the spectators, with both sides passionate and commited. The pitch played it's part - slippery and quite bobbly and requiring a serious amount of concentration from the players. The first half seemed to pass in no time, with a solid performance from the midfield ensuring that the home side controlled most of the play. Numerous chances were not converted by Clenchwarton however, with a great header from Karl Brown just going over the bar from a Kodie Turvey corner. Lewis Jeavons and Jordan Turner both has opportunities from the edge of the box, only to put them wide.
The best chance of the half came from some lovely interlinking play from Josh Murray, Karl Brown and Jordan Turner on the right. Jordan eventually put the ball in to Kodie, who superbly held off, and then turned, his defender. He lashed the ball, only to see it go straight to the keeper. This was a feature of the match, with the Winch keeper positioning himself well for most of the home sides attacking.
Half Time 0 - 0.
The second half saw a couple of changes in personnel. This changed the complexion of the game a little for the first 10 minutes, with Winch becoming more of a threat. However, the resolute defence of James Winner, Ed Brown, Alex Havers and keeper Brad Palmer showed no sign of letting anyone get a sight of goal.
Eventually, Clenchwarton got to grips with the changes and started to reassert themselves.
55 minutes, and the deadlock was broken. Luke Reid picked up the ball on the edge of the box. He laid it out to the right, where Josh Murray picked it up. He then cut inside and smashed the ball towards the far left of the goal. the keeper started to move to his right, only to see the ball hit a defender and ricochet off to his left. It was, however, no more than the home side deserved.
A few minutes later, and Winch have their first real chance on the Clenchwarton goal. A simple ball through to the home sides defence ended up with a mis-control, allowing the ball to pass through. An alert Winch player pounced on the chance and took the ball forward, one-on-one with Brad. However, he laced the ball well wide - panic over.
As the game progressed, the temperature of the game raised as Winch asserted pressure on the home side in search of the equaliser. A foul was conceded 40 yards out to the away side. The Winch player lined the ball up, only to see his effort fly well over the goal.
Clenchwarton comfortably saw the last few minutes of the game out to close the gap at the top of the table to 3 points, with a game in hand on the leaders. All to play for still.
Full Time 1- 0.
Man of the Match - Jordan Turner.
