Longridge Town 2-0 Vickerstown FC 06/05/2017
Ged Smith produced a Man of The Match performance, including a sublime 25 yard free kick goal, as Longridge took their Title challenge down to the final game of the season next Saturday at Blackpool Wren Rovers.
Town were missing top scorer Brad Carsley due to unforeseen circumstances, so Manager Lee Ashcroft played the returning Mark Woods up front with support from Ash Ball and Jordan Bowen.
It was a complete change of style for Town without Carsley as a renowned front man but I'd paid off straightaway as Ball and the effervescent Woods chased the visiting defence into blind alleys.
Vickers were struggling to cope and committed several fouls early on, one which resulted in a free kick to Longridge 25 yards from goal after just 11 minutes.
Ged Smith, playing at left back as Danny Morris moved inside to partner Captain George Melling, stepped up to curl a sublime free kick into the far corner that went in off the post, leaving the visiting keeper no chance. 1-0 to Longridge , and any pre match nerves in this must win game were surely calmed.
If that wasn't enough, just 7 minutes later Ryan 'The Horse' McKenna scored the second goal, firing home at the far post to put Town two up. His celebration was one not seen at the MRG for some time, and the crowd favourite clearly enjoyed his first strike of the season for Longridge as he made his way back to the half way line, to the applause of the biggest crowd of the season at Town with 161 attending the final home game of 2016/17.
Vickerstown created an excellent chance after 30 minutes, which Lee Dovey in the home goal did well to save with his feet, as prolific Vickers goalscorer Danny Keenan broke free to fire a right footed goal bound shot.
Town remained in control however and, with Mark Woods looking dangerous in a central role,they had several efforts saved by the Vickerstown keeper as Longridge looked to kill the game before the break . It wasn't to be though as the teams went in with Town 2-0 up at half time.
Jack Preston was brought on at half time in place of the injured Ash Ball, who had had an excellent first half, but Town were on the defensive as the visitors started the second half on the front foot.
Dovey made an excellent save just two minutes into the half, touching a goal bound shot onto the post, before crowd favourite Joe Melling reacted to clear the danger.
Vickers youngster Jackson Round, just 17, was causing Town problems with his touch and pace, as they enjoyed a good spell of pressure but the home defence held firm as they looked to preserve their two goal lead.
Jack Preston was easing himself into the game, holding the ball up well, as Woods and Bowen moved forward beyond him, and he had an excellent turn and shot saved by the Vickerstown keeper on the hour.
Preston clearly grew in confidence from this moment onwards and his movement and hold up play helped Longridge retain possession at a vital point in the game.
Jordan Tucker replaced the injured Joe Melling with twenty minutes to go, and slotted in seamlessly at right back as Town looked to see the game out.
With 15 minutes left Vickerstown youngster Jackson Round produced a moment of magic that belonged at a far higher level than this, controlling a high clearance from the keeper with a superb touch,before finishing past Dovey into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.
To the relief of the home crowd, the flag was raised for offside but the 17 year old Round jogged back to the half way line with the applause of everyone watching ringing in his ears. It was worth many times more than the £3 admission and, on another day, could've put Town's title hopes in jeopardy.
Town settled into a professional game plan after this, keeping the ball at will, knowing that the win was vital as they travel to title rivals Wren Rovers next Saturday in, what is now a 'winner takes all' title match.
After the game Manager Lee Ashcroft was delighted with his teams performance, and the crowd turnout, as he commented , " I'm very pleased, which takes some doing I can assure you! We were in control for almost the whole game, with two early goals which settled us down and allowed us to play to our strengths. We've missed both Ash and Woodsy ( through suspension) and they made a difference for us today. Ged was excellent at the back, scoring a great goal, and Alex O'Rourke was once again outstanding."
"It's all still in our own hands, and it was brilliant to see the biggest crowd of the season down today to cheer the lads on. This Club has great potential and the interest for the Football Club in the town is clear for all to see. We travel to Wren's next Saturday knowing that a win will give us our first ever West Lancashire League Premier Division Title, and that would be a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, when you think that just 10 years ago we were playing on the Rec in the District League."
Next Saturday sees Town travel to title rivals Blackpool Wren Rovers, level on 80 points each, with the winner being crowned Champions for the 2016/17 season.
Longridge Town 2-0 Vickerstown FC 06/05/2017
Ged Smith produced a Man of The Match performance, including a sublime 25 yard free kick goal, as Longridge took their Title challenge down to the final game of the season next Saturday at Blackpool Wren Rovers.
Town were missing top scorer Brad Carsley due to unforeseen circumstances, so Manager Lee Ashcroft played the returning Mark Woods up front with support from Ash Ball and Jordan Bowen.
It was a complete change of style for Town without Carsley as a renowned front man but I'd paid off straightaway as Ball and the effervescent Woods chased the visiting defence into blind alleys.
Vickers were struggling to cope and committed several fouls early on, one which resulted in a free kick to Longridge 25 yards from goal after just 11 minutes.
Ged Smith, playing at left back as Danny Morris moved inside to partner Captain George Melling, stepped up to curl a sublime free kick into the far corner that went in off the post, leaving the visiting keeper no chance. 1-0 to Longridge , and any pre match nerves in this must win game were surely calmed.
If that wasn't enough, just 7 minutes later Ryan 'The Horse' McKenna scored the second goal, firing home at the far post to put Town two up. His celebration was one not seen at the MRG for some time, and the crowd favourite clearly enjoyed his first strike of the season for Longridge as he made his way back to the half way line, to the applause of the biggest crowd of the season at Town with 161 attending the final home game of 2016/17.
Vickerstown created an excellent chance after 30 minutes, which Lee Dovey in the home goal did well to save with his feet, as prolific Vickers goalscorer Danny Keenan broke free to fire a right footed goal bound shot.
Town remained in control however and, with Mark Woods looking dangerous in a central role,they had several efforts saved by the Vickerstown keeper as Longridge looked to kill the game before the break . It wasn't to be though as the teams went in with Town 2-0 up at half time.
Jack Preston was brought on at half time in place of the injured Ash Ball, who had had an excellent first half, but Town were on the defensive as the visitors started the second half on the front foot.
Dovey made an excellent save just two minutes into the half, touching a goal bound shot onto the post, before crowd favourite Joe Melling reacted to clear the danger.
Vickers youngster Jackson Round, just 17, was causing Town problems with his touch and pace, as they enjoyed a good spell of pressure but the home defence held firm as they looked to preserve their two goal lead.
Jack Preston was easing himself into the game, holding the ball up well, as Woods and Bowen moved forward beyond him, and he had an excellent turn and shot saved by the Vickerstown keeper on the hour.
Preston clearly grew in confidence from this moment onwards and his movement and hold up play helped Longridge retain possession at a vital point in the game.
Jordan Tucker replaced the injured Joe Melling with twenty minutes to go, and slotted in seamlessly at right back as Town looked to see the game out.
With 15 minutes left Vickerstown youngster Jackson Round produced a moment of magic that belonged at a far higher level than this, controlling a high clearance from the keeper with a superb touch,before finishing past Dovey into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.
To the relief of the home crowd, the flag was raised for offside but the 17 year old Round jogged back to the half way line with the applause of everyone watching ringing in his ears. It was worth many times more than the £3 admission and, on another day, could've put Town's title hopes in jeopardy.
Town settled into a professional game plan after this, keeping the ball at will, knowing that the win was vital as they travel to title rivals Wren Rovers next Saturday in, what is now a 'winner takes all' title match.
After the game Manager Lee Ashcroft was delighted with his teams performance, and the crowd turnout, as he commented , " I'm very pleased, which takes some doing I can assure you! We were in control for almost the whole game, with two early goals which settled us down and allowed us to play to our strengths. We've missed both Ash and Woodsy ( through suspension) and they made a difference for us today. Ged was excellent at the back, scoring a great goal, and Alex O'Rourke was once again outstanding."
"It's all still in our own hands, and it was brilliant to see the biggest crowd of the season down today to cheer the lads on. This Club has great potential and the interest for the Football Club in the town is clear for all to see. We travel to Wren's next Saturday knowing that a win will give us our first ever West Lancashire League Premier Division Title, and that would be a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, when you think that just 10 years ago we were playing on the Rec in the District League."
Next Saturday sees Town travel to title rivals Blackpool Wren Rovers, level on 80 points each, with the winner being crowned Champions for the 2016/17 season.