The first XI of the season started with Oliver Bellizia in goal, a defence consisting of Mitch Marshall, Ben Trafford, Maddox Banks and Ryan McLean, who took the armband on the day.

Carson Greaves, Luke Smith and Jordan rounded off the midfield, with Matt Van Wyk and Liam Atkinson in attack.

Dainty took the first shot of the new season, however it merely rolled into the arms of Joe Mason, in the St Helens goal.

The visitors responded well though, as Bellizia had to tip a powerful effort from McNamara onto the post.

Striker Joe Barker then stung the palms of Bellizia from 15 yards out.

Luke Smith fired wide for Town after it fell to his feet on the edge of the box.

The basketball nature of the game continued as Barker practically raced into a one-on-one.

A Connor High free kick dropped to Marshall whose volley was tipped over by Mason.

Marshall was then key at the other end to slid in and prevent McNamara having a tap in at the back post.

However, the defensive luck would soon out.

Half an hour in, High unluckily lost out to Barker, who found James Flight who slid it past Bellizia to break the deadlock.

Down but not out, Town had to pick themselves up.

They did just that, with Atkinson and Van Wyk seeing close range effort parried away by Mason.

However, soon after, the half time whistle blew.

At the break, ticket number 10845 won the first half time pound for the ground jackpot of the season, at £68.

A massive thank you to those who entered, brilliant support as always.

As we got back underway, Jordan Dainty made way for debutant Charlie Markland.

St Helens' McNamara was the first to be booked on 55 minutes, for a late challenge on half-way.

McLean hung up a cross towards Atkinson just eight minutes as Town looked for the leveller, but the forward could only nod over.

Marshall then thought well to throw it back into play quickly to Atkinson again, who rolled a tame effort into the goalkeeper's arms.

Ashcroft and Russell decided to shake it up again, replacing Greaves with Ethan Edmundson.

Flight was then the second player to be carded, for a rash challenge on Van Wyk.

The free kick, just 25 yards out, was swung in by High and met by Atkinson, who headed wide again.

Barker then fired at goal with 20 minutes to go from a tight angle, but Bellizia tipped it over.

Atkinson, who by now was trying everything to carve an opportunity out, dashed down the left and and pulled it across goal for Marshall.

The full back just miscued his effort, unable to make proper contact with the cross.

Town were giving it everything, but just needed a turning point.

That turning point, would then come.

With Van Wyk holding onto it in the area, he spun past his man, causing the defender to instinctively stick a leg out, catching the forward.

Following a second of loud appeals from the Town faithful, the referee promptly pointed to the spot.

Van Wyk, stepped up and sent Mason the wrong way.

Town were now fired up, flying forward in numbers to grab a winner.

Atkinson was played in behind, only to see his close range effort kept out by Mason.

Town had their arms in the air again, appealing for a second spot kick.

Atkinson received it down the right, before lofting it over to Markland who was seemingly illegally sandwiched by two defenders as he looked to poke it home.

However the appeals were soon waved away.

It mattered little.

On 85 minutes, Van Wyk sent Inglewhite Road into raptures.

Markland dashed down the right after being brilliantly picked out by Luke Smith, and pulled it back across the box for Matty who slid it into the bottom left corner brilliantly to put Longridge ahead.

Following the celebrations, Town held the line.

Brilliant defending saw Town through, with Banks being booked for a foul on half-way.

Luke Smith even had a chance in the dying seconds of stoppage time to wrap things up but was denied by Mason.

However it wouldn't matter because moments later the win was sealed with the sound of the referee's whistle.

A massive thank you to everyone who backed the boys brilliantly as per usual.

A huge three points to start the season with.

Speaking after the game, manager Lee Ashcroft was delighted with the result:

"To be honest today, I think we got what we deserved, we were poor first half and we couldn't get hold of the game in the first 15 or 20 minutes.

St Helens are a decent side that beat us twice last year, ultimately we got the penalty and then we missed so many chances but I think we got the right result in the end".

You can view the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HqsbcsFqt0

We go again on Tuesday night when we travel to newly promoted Euxton Villa.

We've also got the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup away to Pilkington on Saturday 2nd August, before we return home the following Saturday 9th to host newly relegated Wythenshawe.

We've some very tough tests coming up, but we can't wait to have you there supporting us all the way.

Up The Ridge!

The Goals:

Longridge: Van Wyk (74', 85')

FC St Helens: Flight (30')

The Teams

Longridge: Bellizia, Marshall, Trafford, Banks, McLean, High, Greaves (Edmundson 60'), Dainty (Markland 46'), Smith, Van Wyk, Atkinson

FC St Helens: Mason, Orhenomare, Hagan, Carnell, Whittaker, Cuthbert (Sharp 65'), Flight, McNamara, Nicholson, Briggs, Barker