Longridge secured a 3-1 victory over Hurst Green to advance to the George Melling Tournament final.

Goals from Leighton Hewitt and Matt Van Wyk had Ashcroft and Russell's reds ahead at the break.

Kian Ellis pulled one back for Hurst Green, before Liam Atkinson restored parity on the hour mark.

Carson Greaves coming in was the only change from Tuesday's nights pre-season defeat to Nelson.

Longridge started as they meant to go on, on top.

Van Wyk had Town' first shot after eight minutes but it flew over the bar from 15 yards.

Mitch Marshall found Atkinson after the flying fullback flew forward and fired it across goal.

However the forward's effort was blocked.

There was a couple more changes before Town took the lead.

Both came through Van Wyk, after he volleyed a corner delivery wide and won it back high up the pitch, and fired just inches wide of the far post.

However the goal would come through Hewitt, as the young attacker burst forward from an Atkinson ball and fired it in off the post from the edge of the box.

The game then had a strange flash point.

The young Luke Smith seemingly won the ball albeit through a firm sliding challenge on half-way.

It was the visitor's reaction that caused an issue with some needless squaring up going on.

After all was said and done, both Smith was booked for Town and Jordan Monk was booked for Hurst Green following his reaction.

However it mattered little, as a couple of minutes later Town doubled their lead.

Van Wyk raced onto a forward ball from the back and slotted it through the legs of the 'keeper.

Hewitt then almost snatched another one soon after, after his tight angled effort deflected wide.

Marshall then surged down the right again before crossing into Atkinson, who lifted his header onto the roof of the net.

With Town in full control, Ashcroft made a change at the break, replacing Hewitt with Jordan Dainty.

All of a sudden though, Longridge's dominance disappeared.

Hurst Green started on top, seeing an effort palmed away by Trialist at his near post.

Seconds later and Van Wyk had to limp off following a late challenge.

Things then went from bad to worse, as Hurst Green notched.

A free kick was headed back across goal and poked past Trialist by Kian Ellis.

Trialist was forced into a good save moments later to keep Town ahead.

Thankfully, concerns about a Hurst comeback were quashed just after 60 minutes, as Liam Atkinson received a great cross from Trialist to fire home at the near post.

With a third now on the board, things were a bit more relaxed from a Longridge point of view.

That was until Atkinson absolutely flew through a Hurst Green defender to receive a yellow card.

The game almost fizzled out from that point, Trialist had to stand firm in his goal to deny a late free kick effort and also to tip wide half a chance from the visitors down the right hand side.

Moments later though, the full time whistle blew, confirming Town's place I'm this year's George Melling Tournament final.

A thank you to everyone for attending in some pretty harsh conditions at times.

Also thanks to Hurst Green for competing in this year's competition.

Safe travels home and we'll see you tomorrow.

Soon begins the second semi final of the tournament, as Chipping and Fulwood Amateurs go head to head to compete for a game against Town in tomorrow's final.

A reminder that game kicks off tomorrow at 4pm, however the third place play-off will be at 1pm.

The Goals:

Longridge: Hewitt (27'), Van Wyk (37'), Atkinson (62')

Hurst Green: Ellis (57')

The Teams:

Longridge First Half: Trialist, Marshall, Trafford, McLean, Anderton, Trialist, Greaves, Hewitt, Smith, Van Wyk, Atkinson

Longridge Second Half: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Edmundson, Cunningham, Bridges, Richmond, Dainty, Trialist, Trialist, Atkinson

Hurst Green: Smith, Divver, Burgess, Hargreaves, Parker, Lofthouse, Byrne, H.Monk, J.Monk, Wolfenden, Craven