Match report: Longridge 2-3 Colne

The Ridge fell to a 3-2 home defeat to Colne as the visitors got back to winning ways as they played in their second day on the trot.

Will Kitchen returned to the XI as the 'keeper returned from suspension.

Matt Van Wyk also made a return to the squad as the forward returned from his hamstring injury.

Town got off to almost the worst start possible as they fell behind after just 30 seconds.

William Hasler-Cregg got in behind before firing in off the far post.

Hasler-Cregg then came close to another a couple of minutes later as the winger once again cut inside but this time his effort was wide.

Town looked to get back into the game soon after as Homson-Smith drifted a free kick into Gallagher-Allison who nodded wide.

Town then had a couple of corners to attack with before the visitors cleared and doubled their advantage.

With just 13 minutes gone, Colne had two.

Lucas Weaver fired into the far corner from the edge of box.

Colne then grabbed another, as Jakob Hebda slotted in from close range following some fantastic football.

Kitchen then did well to stop a fourth, as he palmed away a header from Edwards.

Town then got their first lifeline, as Ryan McLean fired in off the post to pull one back.

Homson-Smith then whilsted one wide of the post from 30 yards out moments later.

Yoak hooked one over the bar from close range as Homson-Smith's corner landed at his feet.

Just before half time, Hasler-Cregg hit a shot that looked destined for the net but it was a brilliant block from Fletcher to stop it.

Moments before the break, Homson-Smith played a nice one-two with Yoak before firing wide.

Quickly followed by a volley just wide by Jack Anderton.

At half time, ticket no.4242 won the half time pound for the ground draw jackpot of £66.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported the season long club fund raiser.

Malick Tanou departed for Seb Bailey at half time.

Weaver went for goal on 54 minutes but his effort was beaten away by Kitchen.

Promptly followed by Ben Fletcher bring replaced by Leighton Hewitt.

Morgan Homson-Smith then took the captains armband.

Anderton then showed brilliant work rate to win it back high up the field before seeing a low shot saved by Monks.

Longridge then made a third change as Josh Winder was replaced by Matt Van Wyk.

The substitute made an instant impact as he was tripped in the box following a corner, winning a penalty.

Captain Homson-Smith then stepped up and sent Monks the wrong way to pull a second back.

Colne's Cole was then booked for a trip on Van Wyk before Jack Anderton was replaced by Zach Clark.

It was a hectic final minute as we played 7 additional minutes.

Colne were happy to run the clock down whilst Town pushed desperately for an equaliser.

The closest Town came to an equaliser was when Homson-Smith slipped in McLean whose cross towards the back post was just overhit.

The final whistle blew, confirming the victory for our visitors.

The Ridge have just two matches left of the 2023/24 season.

One being a home tie against Squires Gate, the other away to Irlam.

The Goals:

Longridge: McLean (18'), Homson-Smith (75' P)

Colne: Hasler-Cregg (1'), Weaver (18'), Hebda (23')

The Teams:

Longridge line-up: Kitchen, Marshall, Yoak, Gallagher-Allison, McLean, Fletcher (Hewitt 56'), Smith, Anderton (Clark 80'), Homson-Smith, Tanou (Bailey 46'), Winder (Van Wyk 72')

Colne line-up: Monks, Kelly, Cole, Priestley, Winstannley (McCann 13'), Kardacz, Bolton, Edwards, Hasler-Cregg (Williams 70'), Weaver, Hebda (Gough 70')