After the game Ashcroft praised his team: ‘It was a quality performance, especially in the first half. Ryan McKenna has come in and is a breath of fresh air and Gary (Longshaw) and Aaron (Halliwell) look like they’ve played together for a long time in the centre of the park. We’re playing some very good football, that’s the way I was brought up to play the game.’

Longridge dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead on the 15th minute when a cross from McDonald was headed in by Town boss Ashcroft. A few minutes prior to the goal, the away side thought they had taken the lead when a shot narrowly went wide.

Town continued to pressure the away side, first Ric Coar snapping at a chance after Gary Longshaw’s pass and then McDonald battling through the defence before his shot from a tight angle was well saved.

Ashcroft got his and Longridge’s second on the 39th minute when this time Coar provided Ashcroft with a simple finish. Three minutes later the home side got a third. A loose back pass by the Squires Gate defender allowed Coar to win the ball back and square to McDonald, who tapped in.

Squires Gate did pull one back a minute before half time. Jack Sowery beat the offside trap and the keeper to score despite Dan Walmsley’s best efforts to keep it out. They could’ve added a second a minute later when Sowery again was through but he fired wide to the relief of the home side.

The away side thought they did get a second midway through the second half when their attacker made a piercing run but his attempt cannoned back off the post. Ashcroft continued to cause the North West Counties’ side problems; he had an attempted lob go just wide. Longridge saw another chance go begging when Matt Moss managed to miss a sitter after excellent build up play.

Squires Gate did get a goal late on when Moss was dispossessed and Alex fired home. A spectacular goal but nothing more than a consolation.

Team:

1 Kev Baldwin, 2 Jordan Tucker, 3 Danny Wilkinson, 4 Ian Kilford, 5 Dan Walmsley, 6 Aaron Halliwell, 7 Gary Longshaw, 8 Ric Coar, 9 Lee Ashcroft (15, 39), 10 Ryan McKenna, 11 Jonty McDonald (41)