Longridge Town 1-0 Whitehaven AFC 29/04/2017
Longridge won this game having dominated possession , and creating enough early chances to win 3 games, against a very well organised and hardworking Whitehaven side.
Town started strongly and should have scored at least the opening goal as the Whitehaven keeper saved well from Brad Carsley, McDonald crashed a volley against the bar, Carsley hit the post and McKenna was denied what looked a clear penalty by the referee on 20 minutes.
Chances came and went, as Longridge played their best football for several weeks without getting the breakthrough they deserved and the inconsistency of the referee, bizarrely chosen for this game despite his performance in Towns recent defeat to Garstang, hindered both sides.
Half time came at 0-0, but the Town faithful remained confident as Asheys side were dominating the game, and the vital first goal would surely come in the second half.
Carsley had a free kick well saved 10 minutes into the half, and Ged Smith had a decent penalty shout waved away a minute later.
Ashcroft then replaced Ryan McKenna on the hour as the Manager looked for the vital 3 points, going straight up front with Carsley, and Longridge looked more threatening immediately.
Dovey in the Town goal was having a quiet day, and remained untroubled, as Whitehaven sat deep and were quite content to defend their clean sheet, albeit they were doing it very well.
The goal came on 70 minutes as an inswinging Ged Smith corner looked destined to go straight in, before Carsley made sure with a deft flick of the head, to make it 1-0 to Longridge. No more than 'The Ridge' deserved and the feeling now amongst a celebrating home crowd of 108 was that Town would go on to add to their lead.
Jordan Bowen and Luke McKenna were having excellent games for Longridge, and kept the ball at will before finding Carsley wide right with just 5 minutes remaining. The powerful striker drove at the visiting defence before being brought down for Towns 3rd penalty shout of the game. He got himself to his feet to take the kick, but was thwarted as the young Whitehaven keeper made an excellent save diving to his right. Stil 1-0 to Longridge.
Both Jack Preston and youngster Elliot Breakell were brought on for cameo appearances, before the referee added six additional minutes to the dismay of the players, crowd, team Managers and Linesmen, the last of his bewildering decisions of the day.
The result was never put in doubt however, as Town kept possession and played out time to take the 3 points that keeps them at the top of the West Lancashire League Premier Division with just two games remaining.
Longridge Town 1-0 Whitehaven AFC 29/04/2017
Longridge won this game having dominated possession , and creating enough early chances to win 3 games, against a very well organised and hardworking Whitehaven side.
Town started strongly and should have scored at least the opening goal as the Whitehaven keeper saved well from Brad Carsley, McDonald crashed a volley against the bar, Carsley hit the post and McKenna was denied what looked a clear penalty by the referee on 20 minutes.
Chances came and went, as Longridge played their best football for several weeks without getting the breakthrough they deserved and the inconsistency of the referee, bizarrely chosen for this game despite his performance in Towns recent defeat to Garstang, hindered both sides.
Half time came at 0-0, but the Town faithful remained confident as Asheys side were dominating the game, and the vital first goal would surely come in the second half.
Carsley had a free kick well saved 10 minutes into the half, and Ged Smith had a decent penalty shout waved away a minute later.
Ashcroft then replaced Ryan McKenna on the hour as the Manager looked for the vital 3 points, going straight up front with Carsley, and Longridge looked more threatening immediately.
Dovey in the Town goal was having a quiet day, and remained untroubled, as Whitehaven sat deep and were quite content to defend their clean sheet, albeit they were doing it very well.
The goal came on 70 minutes as an inswinging Ged Smith corner looked destined to go straight in, before Carsley made sure with a deft flick of the head, to make it 1-0 to Longridge. No more than 'The Ridge' deserved and the feeling now amongst a celebrating home crowd of 108 was that Town would go on to add to their lead.
Jordan Bowen and Luke McKenna were having excellent games for Longridge, and kept the ball at will before finding Carsley wide right with just 5 minutes remaining. The powerful striker drove at the visiting defence before being brought down for Towns 3rd penalty shout of the game. He got himself to his feet to take the kick, but was thwarted as the young Whitehaven keeper made an excellent save diving to his right. Stil 1-0 to Longridge.
Both Jack Preston and youngster Elliot Breakell were brought on for cameo appearances, before the referee added six additional minutes to the dismay of the players, crowd, team Managers and Linesmen, the last of his bewildering decisions of the day.
The result was never put in doubt however, as Town kept possession and played out time to take the 3 points that keeps them at the top of the West Lancashire League Premier Division with just two games remaining.