Match Report: Longridge Town 1-3 Squires Gate

Despite taking the lead Longridge Town were knocked out of the Macron Cup at the First Round stage by Squires Gate at the Mike Riding Ground.

Jay Hart put Town ahead in the first half, finishing a fine team move following a defence-splitting pass but Tom Ince to put him through on goal.

Though the Ridge had taken the lead, Hallmark Security NWCFL Premier Division side Squires Gate showed their quality to come from behind to secure a 3-1 win in the second period.

The result signals another frustration for Town in cup competitions, having been eliminated from the FA Vase and NWCFL First Division Cup earlier in the campaign.

It was a spirited display by the Ridge, who headed into the game without forward Richie Allen available to manager Lee Ashcroft, though the home support were encouraged to see captain George Melling named amongst the substitutes.

Both sides came out the blocks quickly, each going close with Lee Dovey making an impressive double save to deny to the visitors before Ince fired into the side netting for the Reds.

That chance fell on the half hour mark, and moment later Ince turned provider finding the poacher Hart who kept his cool to chip over Benjamin Fletcher in the Squires Gate to give Town the lead.

On the stroke of half-time Danny Gardner almost doubled the scoring for the Ridge, beating the Squires Gate defence before hitting his shot over the bar.

Following the break and the away side clicked into gear almost immediately after the restart, equalising three minutes into the second period through Dean Ing, after a number of solid stops by Dovey between the sticks.

Gate went ahead 10 minutes into the second half through Richard Seear, with that coming moments after a penalty shout in the area.

Hart raced to the byline, digging out a cross to find strike partner Paul Turner, who went down under contact.

After falling behind Town lifted themselves once again with Gardner again going close, firing into the side netting.

As Town pushed for a route back into the game, the visitors showed their ruthlessness, Seear getting his second of the game to put the away side 3-1 up midway through the second half.

Town again rallied late in the game, substitute Brad Wicks trying his effort from long range, only to see it deflected behind for a corner, meaning Town bow out at the First Round stage of the Macron Cup.

Next up for Town AFC Blackpool visit the MRG on Wednesday night in a return to league action with a 7.45pm kick-off scheduled.