Match Report: Longridge Town 1-1 AFC Blackpool

The result was somewhat secondary however as, in the first of three games in 7 days, Town played out the final 20 minutes with ten men after Alex Murphy became the third hamstring victim of the night along with Phil Doughty and Jay Hart.

With Captain Michael Morrison not appearing from the dressing room at the start of the second half, Ashey was forced to reshuffle, and in the end it was probably more a feeling of a point gained rather than 2 points dropped in the circumstances.

Town started well enough with Hart looking sharp up front, but Blackpool were pressing high up the field and forcing chances of their own.

With Doughty replaced by Gary Basterfield after just 20 minutes, the visitors got their chance to open the scoring with Connor Finlayson finishing from close range after good work by Conah Bishop.

Slightly against the run of play after Cameron in the Blackpool goal had saved twice from Tom Ince, but 0-1 to the visitors.

This sparked a spell of Town pressure that paid off just 12 minutes later as Danny Wilkinson fired home after a neat one two with Tom Ince.
1-1, and the expectations amongst the Home crowd were of an 11th straight League win.

Half-time came after a Blackpool penalty shout was waved away, and all did not look well in the Longridge camp after a first half were
possession had been given away more than usual.

Brad Wicks replaced Morrison at half time in centre midfield as Town looked for the vital 3rd goal in the game.

Cameron saved well again from Ince before Hart flashed a right footed shot just wide, and Town looked back on song in the opening 10 minutes of the half.

Hart then pulled up chasing a through ball as Paul Turner became Town's third substitution of the night with half an hour remaining.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Alex Murphy hit the crossbar from 25 yards but, in doing so, was then forced off with what looked like yet another hamstring injury. Town down to 10 men but still looking for the winner.

For the second time in two Home games Town were then denied what looked a clear penalty, as Richie Allen was tripped inside the penalty area.

To add insult to injury the referee then booked the Town striker for simulation. At this point you got the feeling that it was to be one of those nights, and it almost got worse.

In added time, with Town throwing everything forward, Sinclair broke free from the Blackpool defence running 60 yards with the ball before seeing Dovey smother his left footed shot low down.

As the whistle went to end the game, the feeling was that the result was probably a fair one with neither side having deserved to lose. Blackpool put in a tremendous amount of effort over the 90 minutes to earn a deserved point and, for Town, this point sees them go two points clear at the top of the Hallmark Securities NWCFL Division One North, before facing St Helens Town at The MRG on Saturday, with a 3pm Kick Off scheduled.