The striker got proceedings underway after ten minutes, before a Josh Ashe free kick bounced into the Stockport net with help from their defender Harrison Lomakin-Rogers.

However a quick response from substitute Joshua Fowles made it a nervy finish, but the battling Ridge managed to see it out in torrential conditions.

Ryan McLean and Liam Atkinson both returned to XI as they made their return from injury.

Charlie Brier also made his debut in goal, with Kai Crowe unavailable.

The young 'keeper was called into action early, brilliantly pushing away another effort from Tobias Green.

Atkinson then looked to test the Stockport goalkeeper from distance, but Joshua Schofield clutched it to his chest.

However as the ball bounced around the penalty area and was seemingly under control by Lomakin-Rogers, Procter flew in and won it back, before slotting it into the bottom right corner.

The striker then raced past his man down the right four minutes later.

His cross was then promptly headed out.

However following a nice corner routine from the home side, Green smashed a powerful left footed effort off the near post.

Toby Coar headed an Anderton corner just over the bar, before making a superb challenge at the back to stop the galloping Kattah in his tracks.

Mitch Marshall skipped past Barugh before driving forward on the stroke of half time.

He fed it into Ashe down the right who blazed it over from a tight angle.

Following no changes for either side at the break, we got back underway.

Luke Smith was booked early into the second half for pulling back Green, but it would be Town to threaten next.

A curling effort from Ashe was palmed just wide by Schofield.

The young attacking midfielder then worked his way down the right before seeking a square ball over to Procter but Stockport's Cole was there to clear.

Ashe was at the centre of it all for Longridge, as he volleyed an Atkinson layoff towards goal but it crashed off the crossbar.

Unfortunately just after the hour mark, Marshall couldn't continue, and was replaced by Leighton Hewitt.

With an Anderton corner headed upwards, as it came back down it was met by the overhead kick of Ashe but it landed just over the bar.

The ever-looming of threat of Green grew, as he went on a mazy run through the midfield and cut it back across goal.

It was poked a goal through a crowd of bodies but kept out brilliantly again by Brier.

Town then made a double change, bringing off two lads who'd ran themselves into the ground.

Procter and Haji made way for Tom McCann and Matt Van Wyk.

Soon after, Ashe swung a free kick into the danger zone.

As it headed towards the battling bodies, Lomakin-Rogers was the unfortunate man as his right footed clearance curled into the far corner of the Stockport net, doubling Town's lead.

However, Fowles found the bottom right corner with a fierce finish from the left hand side just seconds later, setting up a very nervy finish.

The heavens then opened as the officials announced 7 added minutes.

Stockport threw wave after wave of attacks at Town, but time and time again there would be a red shirt in the way.

The closest the hosts came was on 96 minutes, when a free kick was poked at goal but Brier threw himself on it, hurting himself in the process.

However, he was okay to carry on.

After almost playing nine added minutes, the referee sounded his full time whistle.

This win puts Town back up to 10th in the NWCFL Premier Division table.

A massive thank you for your fantastic away support today too.

A first away win since August puts Longridge on a good platform to build for the rest of the season.

A very happy Charlie Russell spoke to us after the game:

"Yeah, we're really happy with that one.

"It took a lot out of us, the players, the fans, the staff, but the lads know that's a massive win for us.

"They're a good team, but to come here and win 2-1, I'm made up."

You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/Rt919ZEP3cc?si=5Xau059Ig-0MHRbm

With a tough awayday derby day at Charnock Richard on Saturday and and LFA Cup tie at home to come on Tuesday, we hope to add some more key results to keep our season chugging along.

No doubt that the Ridge were outstanding today, to a man.

14 players who ran themselves into the ground is miserable conditions.

Once again, thank you for your support.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals:

Stockport Town: Fowles (84')

Longridge: Procter (10'), Lomakin-Rogers (OG, 83')

The Teams:

Stockport Town: Schofield, Padden, Lomakin-Rogers (Reid 87'), Cole, Redshaw (Fowles 46'), Kvaternik, Atkinson (Gardner 80'), Green, Barugh, Kelly (West 63'), Kattah

Longridge: Brier, Marshall (Hewitt 62'), Coar, McLean, Anderton, Fletcher, Smith, Haji (McCann 80') Ashe, Procter (Van Wyk 80'), Atkinson