Match Report: Nelson FC 1-3 Longridge Town

Town youngsters Danny Gardner and Paul Turner eventually put Nelson to the sword with the latter scoring a hat trick, completed with two goals in the final seven minutes of the game.

Longridge were playing their fourth game in 11 days, and injuries had taken their toll on the squad with Richie Allen, Tom Ince, and Alex Murphy not making it, although striker Jay Hart was fit enough to return to the bench.

With defender Phil Doughty having re-signed for Bamber Bridge, George Melling started at centre half following his man of the match performance at Carlisle on Tuesday night.

Town looked 'leggy' and started slowly with Nelson creating a chance after just 10 seconds that flew wide. Missing the link play of Tom Ince chances were few and far between for Town, with the Home side giving as good as they got, and both Nelson strikers winning their fair share of the ball.

Danny Gardner, playing on the right side, had the beating of his full back, and he combined well with Paul Turner, the lone striker, only for the Nelson keeper to save superbly with 30 minutes gone.

Lee Dovey in the Town goal dealt comfortably with a couple of long range efforts but it was an unremarkable half of football with Longridge nowhere near their best, and struggling to play the flowing football that has been a feature of the season so far.

With the game goalless as the teams went in at half time Ashey was going to have to look at his limited options, and turn the game in Towns favour if it was not going to a case of 'after the Lord Mayors show' following on from Tuesday nights superb performance at Carlisle.

The break was short and sweet for the Town Management who emerged from the dressing room after 6 or 7 minutes to run striker Jay Hart through a short fitness test which, to the delight of the travelling support, he looked to pass with flying colours.

This was a big 45 minutes for Town, could they 'win ugly' and take all 3 points?

A change of formation saw Ryan McKenna go up front with Turner and, within 60 seconds the change paid off and Town looked to be on their way to a positive result as Paul Turner met Danny Gardner's driven cross to slide the ball in at the far post, beating 2 Nelson defenders to the ball in doing so.

0-1 Town and hopefully the game would now swing in Longridge's favour.

It didn't. Nelson had a spell of pressure, expoiting gaps in the Town midfield, and when the equaliser arrived on 68 minutes it came as no surprise.

Will Harris was released through on goal and beat Dovey with a clean finish from a right hand angle. 1-1, and all to play for.

Ashey looked to his bench and Hart gave him the nod, reassurng the Gaffer of his fitness.

Twenty minutes to go as Jay replaced Harvey Close,and another shape change as the crowd favourite frontman played to the left of a front 3 with Town looking for all 3 points.

It was all Town pressure now as skipper Morrison drove his side on from centre midfield. Gardner was beating his man at will, and McKenna was unlucky to see his header glance wide with 15 minutes remaining.

Nelson then broke and missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead, blazing over the bar when well placed to beat Dovey.

It was a let off for Town as the League leaders finally got back infront with seven minutes left, Turner dinking the keeper and following his shot in to tap it over the line. 1-2 and Town celebrated their 70th League goal of the season wildly with their supporters.

The goal prompted another tactical change from Ashey as Ryan McKenna moved back into a defensive position, and it was the start of an unbelievable last ten minutes or so when Town could've had four goals.

Looking to kill the game off, Hart then played a beautiful ball across for the onrushing Turner who shot over from six yards, so still 1-2 and Nelson not dead and buried yet.

With 88 minutes gone Hart then rounded the keeper, who had come out of his area to close down a through ball, only to see his effort hit the post from a narrow angle. It looked in all the way, and some in the crowd were already celebrating, before the Home defence cleared the ball to safety.

With five minutes added time there was still chance for the goal of the game, as Hart and Gardner worked well together before a driven cross was met on the run by Paul Turner who lashed the ball home from 18 yards to complete his hat trick and secure all three points for Town.

1-3 as the whistle blew for full time, in a game well officiated by the referee and his assistants, and Town had secured the win that saw them go further clear at the top of the Hallmark Securities NWCFL Division One North, with rivals Carlisle City being pegged back in the last minute at Steeton.

As we approach the half way stage in the season Town sit 7 points clear at the top of the Division, with the pressure on the teams below to win their games in hand.

With Evostik side Colne being the visitors to The MRG on Wednesday night in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, and no League game scheduled for next Saturday, it will now give Ashey and his side time to regroup and rest some tired legs before Darwen are the visitors on Saturday 17th November.

Both Manager Lee Ashcroft and hat trick hero Paul Turner were interviewed by Media Officer Ellie Hamilton for Longridgetown.tv after the game, and both videos can be viewed on the Club website later today.