Charnock 1 vs Longridge Town 1 (6:5 on penalties)

An excellent performance of which the Town fans and management can be proud of.Town had to battle for 78 minutes with a man down and took the game to a top Charnock Richard side on a miserable afternoon.

A proud Lee Ashcroft commented after the match: ‘The lads did very well and I’m extremely proud of them. We were the better team for 70 minutes, especially the second half which we dominated. We got the equaliser and had two really good chances to win it in the 90. It’s a great way to win a game on penalties and the worst way to lose.

We have to realise we’re getting better every time. To come here and get a draw with ten men for 70 minutes proves we’re on track to being where we want to be.

We changed it at halftime, went three at the back because they were getting down the sides of us so we made sure the two wider centre halves were marking them tightly to stop the threat.’

Charnock started brightly on a difficult pitch with Carl Grimshaw heading wide early on. On the 10th minute skipper Keiran Walmsley swung in a corner which was headed in by Troy Carsley. The referee and his assistant didn’t give the goal. Walmsley protested with the referee and was sent off for his reaction.

Charnock capitalised on the 22nd minute when the ball fell kindly to Grimshaw and he coolly curled it past Matt Hind. The home side were on top with lots of possession but couldn’t get past a resolute Town defence led by Alex O’Rourke.

Town changed it around at half time going to three at the back and Jordan Tucker replaced the injured Sam Nightingale. Town started brightly playing some nice football. Charnock had two early chances. First a driven shot was tipped over by Hind, then came a fantastic save by the Town number one who was quickly down to save a strike sliding off the surface.

The away side were then on top, Brad Carsley headed wide, then had a curled effort blocked and go out for a corner. On the 60th minute Ryan McKenna looked to be fouled in the area but the officials gave nothing.

Town continued to press for the equaliser and on the 67th minute McKenna was again brought down and this time the spot kick was awarded. Up stepped Brad Carsley who fired home the equaliser.

Ashcroft’s men were giving it all, but just couldn’t find that goal. Joe Melling was unable to control the ball and fire a shot after a nice Town attack. Town had to deal with a few late scares but the match went to penalties.

After a spirited team talk from the Town manager the team stood united at the half way line. Jordan Bowen took Town’s first penalty and dispatched it confidently. Brad Carsley and Ryan McKenna both scored their penalties. Charnock’s fourth kick was saved by Matt Hind, Joe Melling stepped up but he too was denied. Both teams scored number five with Danny Wilkinson taking the shootout to sudden death. Alex O’Rourke took Town’s sixth penalty and scored. With penalties there always has to be one unfortunate player to miss and it was Troy Carsley who had an excellent game. A jubilant Charnock will progress to the semi-finals but the Town management and fans can be proud of the team’s efforts.

The disallowed goal and the sending off of captain Keiran Walmsley arguably changed the game. After the match Ashcroft commented: ‘I was walking around the goal at half time and six or seven fans were telling me the ball crossed the line. That’s not what not you want to hear. The linesman has one thing to do all afternoon. Did the ball cross the line? People are telling me it was a foot over, then Keiran gets sent off for doing nothing, it was a yellow maximum.’

Next week, Saturday 21st November, Town get back to league duty with a trip to Thornton Cleveleys. Kick off 2.00 PM.

Team
1 Matt Hind
2 Joe Melling
3 Sam Nightingale (16 Jordan Tucker)
4 Alex O’Rourke
5 Sam Marsh
6 Keiran Walmsley Red Card
7 Troy Carsley
8 Jordan Bowen
9 Brad Carsley (68)
10 Ryan McKenna
11 Danny Wilkinson

Unused subs: 12 Conor Linigan, 14 Jonty McDonald, 15 Rick Murch, 17 Rob Batty