The Ridge made from Tuesday with an FA Cup extra preliminary round victory over fellow NWCFL Premier Division side Cheadle.

Putting us through to the FA Cup preliminary round for the first time in four years.

Following derby disappointment on Tuesday, it was important to set things and the lads did exactly that.

New boy Harvey Roberts came into the side whilst Connor Newton made his first start since returning, taking the place of Ben Fletcher.

Due to the skipper's absence, Ryan McLean took the armband for the first time.

The game started off almost an exact repeat of Tuesday, with Watkinson seeing a shot cleared off the line after taking it past the 'keeper.

Thankfully, Town soon dispelled anymore hints of Tuesday, as Van Wyk pounced on a half cleared McLean cross and found the bottom corner from 15 yards after 15 minutes.

The visitors almost equalised immediately after the ball fell to McLaughlin but could only roll it wide from 6 yards.

There weren't many more chances of note in the first half, Cheadle's Morton fired wide from a tight angle after timing his run from midfield well.

There was also a booking a piece as Longridge's Trafford and Cheadle's McKnight were cautioned.

At half time ticket number 4695 won the pound for the ground jackpot, a big thank you for entering the club funder as always.

Following a fairly cautious first half, Town tried to up the tempo a bit in the second.

Marshall stole it and raced forward on 48 minutes as the full back tried to pull it back across goal for Van Wyk but the final Cheadle defender just got a toe on it to prevent a second.

Owen Watkinson received it on the half turn before beating his man and getting a shot off two minutes.

It deflected back into the path of Hewitt whose volley was caught by Hodges in goal.

Rodgers looked to keep a good debut going as he delivered a free kick into Turner who unfortunately couldn't get a solid head on it.

Cheadle then missed another huge chance as substitute Foley headed wide from close range as he connected with a great ball in from Morton.

The visitors also came close through Connor Morton, who fired wide in the late stages.

Newton did well to cut out a ball intended for McLaughlin, but conceded a corner in the process.

Thankfully the delivery was over everyone and out.

The officials then deemed it fit to add on 10 additional minutes to play at the end of the 90.

Town heard this and ramped it right up.

Substitute Jack Anderton received it down the left before cutting inside and seeing his shot saved by Hodges.

However, just moments later Roberts picked it up in the middle of the park and the run of Ryan McLean caught his eye.

He sent Raz on his bike as the left back sprinted forward and beat the advancing goalkeeper to the loose ball, took it round him and rolled it into the empty net.

Despite a resilient performance from both sides, it was Longridge Town who would come away 2-0 victors, earning a preliminary round place against Midlands League side 1874 Northwich.

We'd like to thank the 189 who came and supported both sides today.

Speaking after the game, captain on the day and goalscorer Ryan McLean said: "Today was alright to be fair, we defended well when we needed to and to get a goal is not bad at all!".

Our next game is away to the Isle of Man on Saturday 10th August.

Our return home is on the following Tuesday on 13th August at 7:45pm as we host Colne.

The Goals

Longridge: Matt Van Wyk (16'), Ryan McLean (90+4')

Cheadle: N/A

The Teams

Longridge: Gidley, Hewitt (Anderton 56'), Trafford, Newton, Marshall, McLean, Smith, Roberts, Turner (Dainty 71'), Van Wyk (Winder 66'), Watkinson

Cheadle: Hodges, Cook (Delaney 55'), Smyth, Shipton (Taylor 83'), Alley (Foley 55'), Moscrop (Martin 80'), McKnight, Ford, Morton, Byrnes, McLaughlin