Longridge Town 3 vs Padiham 1

Lee Ashcroft’s Longridge Town once again secured a victory at the Mike Riding Ground against a side two leagues above them in the football pyramid - and are the first West Lancashire outfit to beat a team managed by Steve Wilkes in twenty years.

After the match a pleased Lee Ashcroft Commented: ‘It’s our fourth pre-season game and with each match we’re getting better and better. It could’ve been more than 3-1. Ryan White didn’t have a lot to do today and we looked solid.’

New signing Brad Carsley continued to impress the Town faithful and he nearly opened the scoring after 11 minutes when he latched on to header from brother Troy but the Radcliffe keeper was out quickly to deny him.

With a strong squad being assembled by Town boss Lee Ashcroft the players are desperate to fight for their place in the starting 11. Captain Jordan Tucker and Troy Carsley showed that commitment midway through the first half, both going in for a header, with Troy coming off worse. Thankfully, both were able to continue the full 90 minutes.

Two minutes before half time Brad Carsley gave the home side the lead. Jordan Bowen had a shot deflected at the edge of the area. The ball pinballed in the area and at the third bite of the cherry Brad coolly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.

Four minutes into the second half Brad Carsley doubled his tally. He surged onto a long ball over the top by Dan Walmsley and powerfully finished past the Padiham keeper.

Padiham didn’t have to wait long for a goal of their own. From a Town corner, the away side broke with menace. Tom Bradley was the benefactor with a stunning strike leaving Ryan White with no chance in the Longridge goal.

A minute later substitute Rick Coar nearly restored Town’s 2 goal advantage. Joe Melling, playing as a wing back, sent over a perfect cross for Coar whose header was saved well in the centre of the goal.

Town continued to press for a third and on the 58th minute got their reward. Coar played in Brad Carsley at the second attempt and he coolly finished to seal his hattrick.

Then four minutes later Coar was denied a goal of his own. Coar met Lennie Reid’s corner at the back post but Sean Davies spectacularly denied him, pushing the ball onto the bar.

Melling and Coar continued to cause problems for the away side. Bowen found Melling with a pass with the outside of the foot. Melling crossed to Coar whose header went over. Not long after that Coar and Melling linked again; a nice one two in the area but Melling couldn’t finish the move off.

Team; 1 Ryan White, 2 Jordan Tucker, 3 Ryan McKenna, 4 Troy Carsley, 5 Dan Walmsley, 6 Rick Murch, 7 Joe Melling, 8 Jordan Bowen, 9. Leon McLoughin, 10. Brad Carsley (44, 49, 58), 11 Luke Berry,
Subs;12 Stu Garry, 14 Tom Speight, 15 Lennie Reid, 16 Rick Coar