Longridge maintained their perfect away record in the West Lancashire League Premier Division this season with their 8th consecutive win, avenging their only loss in the League with a 3-1 win over third placed Euxton Villa.

Manager Lee Ashcroft named an unchanged side from last week's victory at Eagley,whilst adapting to a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Captain George Melling starting his last game before a 3 match suspension.

Town started brightly, on a surprisingly good pitch given the recent weather, with striker Brad Carsley going close with a backpost header and Keiran Walmsley seeing his free kick well saved by the Euxton keeper. Euxton were giving as good as they got however and the opening 20 minutes were an even contest.

The breakthrough came for Town when Brad Carsley (pictured), looking back to his very best, rose above the home defence to power a Randell corner in off the crossbar with a fine header. The Longridge front man's joy was clear to see and he celebrated accordingly as his team mates engulfed him, with team spirit obvious to the travelling Town support. 0-1 to Longridge.

Just two minutes later Carsley almost got his second as he beat 2 men, and the keeper, before seeing his shot cleared off the line, after a great through ball from Jordan Bowen.

Town were enjoying a dominant period, producing their best football for several weeks and, after a rampaging run from Alex Randell was halted by a despairing tackle, they received a free kick 25 yards from goal. Randell, who had been booked earlier for dissent, stood over the ball and chipped a beautiful left footed effort into the corner of the Euxton goal to make it 0-2 to Longridge with 5 minutes of the half remaining.

With no changes at the break Town emerged early from the dressing room, awaiting the home side as they came out for the second half. Keiran Walmsley saw another free kick saved before the impressive Mark Jeffers, making his second start for the Club, found Jordan Bowen on the edge of the box. Bowen's left footed effort flew past the keeper into the bottom corner to make it 0-3, and Town were on course to avenge the 3-0 home defeat to Euxton earlier in the season.

On 67 minutes Danny Morris, facing his former Club, saw his headed goal disallowed as the referee spotted a foul in the area as Randell's corner came in but Town remained on top.

Euxton then had a good spell of possession with Mike Galliers, and the excellent Conor Gronback in particular,causing the Town defence problems but Dovey in the visiting goal was untroubled as Melling and Walmsley stood resolutely in the centre of defence.

Debutants Andrew Naylor and Jack Preston were introduced with 15 minutes remaining, replacing Bowen and a limping Randell, as Ashcroft looked to give his side fresh legs, and just 5 minutes later Leon McLoughlin came on for Brad Carsley, who was given a great ovation by the Town support in acknowledgement of his tireless performance.

Preston went up front as the lone striker, and Naylor immediately made his presence felt in the centre of the park winning challenge after challenge.

On 85 minutes, a far post cross was headed back across goal by the Euxton attack, and Danny Morris was adjudged to have handled the ball by the referee who gave a penalty. Galliers stepped up and calmly stroked the ball past Dovey to give the Home side a reward for their efforts, and their contribution to what had been an excellent game. 1-3 to Longridge with 5 minutes remaining.

With time running out Jeffers then almost scored a wonder goal, running directly at the Euxton defence from the half way line. He beat one man, then two, then three before squeezing past two more just as the advancing keeper fell at his feet and just got a hand to the ball. It was a lung busting effort from the Longridge midfielder who looks set to become a firm favourite with the Town supporters.

With the light fading, and fog drifting in from the fields, the referee blew for Full Time to end what had been a great game, and Town's best performance for a while.

After the match Manager Lee Ashcroft was quick to praise his men, '' This was a massive game for us, particularly with Euxton beating us earlier in the season, but we were excellent in every area today, sharper, focused and tireless.I thought Brad was excellent up front, and Alex O'Rourke sitting in front of the back four was a colossus.''

'' This was always going to be one of our most difficult games of the season and i'm delighted with the win, but also the performance. We've freshened things up a little with some new faces and everyone of them has played their part today.''

'' We've seen great travelling support all season, and i'm pleased today for the lads that travel and support the team every week. I'd just like to wish them, and all Longridge supporters, a Merry Xmas and we'll be doing our best to make it a Happy New Year ! ''.

The West Lancashire League now sees a Xmas break, with Town travelling to Slyne with Hest on Saturday January 7th in their first game of 2017.