Leyland United 0, Longridge Town 13

Playing a side two divisions below them in the football pyramid, Town were a goal up in seven minutes thanks to club record scorer Rick Coar and by 25 minutes he had bagged himself a hat-trick as Town dominated the attacking play.

Leyland just could not stem the Longridge tide and they were further sunk with goals from Brad Carsley after 15 minutes, Danny Wilkinson after 28 minutes, two goals from youngster Jordan Bowen (37 and 42 minutes) and right on half time a cracker from Ryan McKenna.

At 8-0 down at the break Town boss Lee Ashcroft made a number of defensive and attacking changes to his starting 11 and within 30 seconds of the re-start it was 9-0.

Sub Sam Dean was hacked down by United substitute ‘keeper Matt Dennick and up stepped assistant boss Kieran Walmsley to cooly slot home his first goal for the club.

And the scoring just kept coming and coming as talented sub Leon McLoughlin struck twice within an eight minute spell on 63 minutes and there was even time for Ben Ashcroft, son of Lee, to clip in his first goal for the club with 10 minutes left and significantly seven minutes from time Matty Edgar came on to score from the spot and was as cool as you like.

As for Leyland they had a chance to get themselves on the score sheet after 74 minutes but their best player, winger Mark Longworth saw his penalty kick expertly saved by Matt Hind in the Town goal and on the whistle, Mick Benson rasped a shot that skimmed the Longridge crossbar.

Town boss Lee Ashcroft said later: “To be honest l was more pleased that we didn’t concede than the number of goals we scored.
“It was a good workout for us and the lads enjoyed it and l’ve no doubt that Saturday’s test against Radcliffe will be a whole different matter, but we showed at the weekend that we could compete with the likes of Colne so it’s all positive right now.”

TOWN: Ryan White (Matt Hind 45), Jordan Tucker (Stu Garry 63), Ryan McKenna (Sam Nightingale 45), Troy Carsley (Leon McLoughlin (60), Sam Marsh (Matty Edgar 72), Kieran Walmsley, Joe Melling (Ben Ashcroft 66), Jordan Bowen (Lennie Reid 45), Rick Coar (Rick Murch 60), Brad Carsley (Sam Dean 45), Danny Wilkinson (Luke Massie 66).

Town scorers: Rick Coar (7, 14, 25), Brad Carsley (15), Danny Wilkinson (28), Jordan Bowen (37, 42), Ryan McKenna (45), Kieran Walmsley (p46), Leon McLoughlin (63, 71), Ben Ashcroft (80), Matty Edgar (83p).

*TOWN’S next fixture at home is on Saturday, July 11 next against Evo-Stik side Radcliffe Borough, kick-off 3pm.