Despite their opposition being down to nine men due to sin-bins and seeing three chances cleared off the goal-line, the Ridge settled for the point in the end.

Mason McKay scored his second headed goal in as many matches, before South's Sullivan Barker drew his side level just 6 minutes later.

Tom McCann made a return to the side following injury, whilst Josh Ashe made his full debut starting from the off.

Town started well, as did McKay.

His trickery down the right won the Ridge an early free, though Anderton's delivery was headed out by McCann.

However, the dynamite young attacker wasn't kept quiet for long.

An Anderton corner was headed past Allan by McKay on 13 minutes to break the deadlock.

However it took the visitors just 6 minutes to reply, as Barker connected with Neil Weaver's cross.

Leighton Hewitt rippled the side netting as Town surged forward on the counter, after being supplied by Ashe.

Town came massively close just after the half hour mark, as Will Procter poked it past the enrushing South goalkeeper Lucas Allan, only for defender Chris Bramell to race back and clear it off the line, the first of many to do so.

A quick fire counter from the visitors saw right back Daniel Maher rattle the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Procter then nodded over the bar from a Hewitt cross moments later.

Barker nearly notched again just before half time, rolling into the side netting after getting the better of McKerney, but the pressure from McCann seemingly put him off.

Just after Hewitt was the game's first booking, we entered the interval.

At the break, ticket no.12212 won the pound for the ground jackpot of £95, our best total so far this season!

A massive thank you from everyone at Longridge Town for your incredible support on the club fundraiser.

The second 45 began with a bang.

Two South Liverpool players were sin-binned for dissent, that being Sam Mullally and Neil Weaver.

Town tried their best to capitalise against their nine-player'd opposition.

McLean sent one over the bar from range, just after Procter had nodded just wide.

Matt Van Wyk joined the action, taking Procter's place as Town made their first change.

Anderton also saw a tight angled effort beaten away by Allan.

However, soon after we saw the first usage in a Longridge match, of the referee awarding a corner after South's Allan had held onto the ball for 8 seconds.

It would come to nothing though.

On the hour mark, South's sin-binned men made their way back onto the pitch.

Some top draw defending from Hewitt prevented South substitute Murray from entering a one-on-one with McKerney.

Connor High then replaced Ben Fletcher.

He was straight into the action, shooting over from range after a deflected Smith effort fell into his path.

South's Weaver almost put his side ahead, but McKerney made a great save from close range.

Tom McCann then made way for Ben Trafford in the backline.

Ashe went for goal on the edge of the box, forcing Allan to tip it wide of the post.

The resulting corner was delivered by Anderton into McLean whose first time effort was cleared off the line.

Van Wyk fired over from an angle, before McLean headed just inches wide.

Inside the 7 additional minutes, the closest Town came was through High in the dying stages.

The midfielder bent a left footed effort just wide of the far post, with the Ridge faithful almost starting to celebrate.

Moments later the referee blew his full time whistle.

Another point on the board against a very solid side.

Speaking after the game, assistant manager Charlie Russell gave his thoughts on the result:

"I'm not disappointed, but I think we should've won the game.

"They defended well in the second half, but should we have took our chances? Yes we should, but I think that's the level we're at, at the moment.

"I think as the season goes on we've got to learn how to come out of those games with three points."

You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/tffmlTrsZIs?si=BrAhmIcRAYGlLNa5

We go again on Saturday 18th October when we host Glossop North End at Inglewhite Road.

A week break will be welcomed by the lads, to rest and regroup.

A massive thank you for your terrific support.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals:

Longridge: McKay (13')

South Liverpool: Barker (19')

The Teams:

Longridge: McKerney, Hewitt, McCann (Trafford 67'), Marshall, McLean, Fletcher (High 63'), Smith, Anderton, McKay, Procter (Van Wyk 53')

South Liverpool: Allan, Maher, Gallagher, Bramall, Dursley, Gallagher, Mullally, Adbi, Hughes, Barker, Weaver