Longridge Town 3, Radcliffe Borough 1 Match Report

Longridge Town 3, Radcliffe Borough 1

LONGRIDGE TOWN continued their excellent progress ahead of the new season with an impressive win over Evo-Stik North side Radcliffe Borough at the Mike Riding Ground on Saturday, that had the locals licking their lips in expectation (writes Howard Jones).

And if there was any doubt’s about how the side would cope with a team two leagues and three divisions above them in the football pyramid it was all swept away in seconds as striker Brad Carsley opened the scoring after just two minutes.

The move was right out of the top drawer with defender Joe Melling feeding the ball down the right channel only for Rick Coar to turn his defender inside out and lay on the perfect pass to Carsley who quickly swept home the chance.

And Carsley could have eclipsed Coar’s 25 minutes mid-week hat-trick at Leyland had he taken three more gilt edged chances inside the opening nine minutes.

Twice he was denied by Borough ‘keeper Chris Cheetham and then his other effort was blasted high and wide when he might well have scored.

And it was a Carsley double act nine minutes later too that carved out a great chance to go two up.
The opportunity arrived after Brad Carsley had powered a header from a Jordan Bowen corner on goal only for it to be cleared to brother Troy standing on the edge of the box.
But his powerful shot sailed wide.

Indeed it was 19 minutes before the visitors could honestly say that they troubled Town’s rearguard, when striker Benson Johnson shot tamely wide, and then a minute later Callum Hoctor blasted a shot across goal too.

Four minutes before the break Town ‘keeper Lee Walker was yellow carded when he handled outside his area.
Then two minutes later Radcliffe, trialist Van Van Mayengal rattled the home crossbar.

But as the half drew to a close Longridge got their fans cheering again when Ryan McKenna, lurking on the edge of the box fired home.
Both sides made numerous changes in the second-half and after 76 minutes a long range shot from Radcliife full-back Danny Vincent was judged to have crossed the line after it came down off the crossbar.

But two minutes later Town wrapped up the win when Brad Carsley and latched onto a pass from substitute Leon McLoughlin to fire home.

A delighted Town boss Lee Ashcroft said later: “That was a first-class performance from the lads today, better even than last week against Colne.

“I’m really happy tonight and it’s clear that we are not mucking about.
“There’s a hunger about the side and players know if they don’t perform then they won’t be in the side.”

TOWN: Ben Walker (Ryan White 46), Jordan Tucker, Sam Nightingale (Luke Berry 62), Troy Carsley, Ryan McKenna, Rick Murch (Lyndon Hodgkiss 53), Joe Melling (Luke Massie 74), Jordan Bowen (Lennie Reid 46), Rick Coar (Leon McLoughlin 62), Brad Carsley, Tom Speight (Stu Garry 53).

Town scorers: Brad Carsley (2, 78), Ryan McKenna (45).

Radcliffe: Danny Vincent (76).

*TOWN’S next fixture is at home is on Saturday, July 18 next against North-West Counties Premier League side, Padiham, kick-off 3pm.