Longridge Town progressed into the Preliminary round of the FA cup after a debut goal from Harry Williamson was enough to beat Keighley Town.

The forward’s finish in the 50th minute was the only goal of the game in a tight affair.

Longridge started brighter, Oliver Hodgson testing the Keighley keeper from a narrow angle.

The visitors felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Josh Ashe was wrestled to the ground but the referee was unmoved, in the aftermath Jack Anderson was kept out by the Keighley keeper from close range.

The Ridge continued to build pressure, Ashe was the next to be thwarted, first a header and then seeing a long range effort tipped wide of the post.
Hodgson was unable to meet a dangerous cross as Lee Ashcroft's men began to create chances.

The hosts first chance of the game came after a drinks break. Keighley’s number nine heading wide at the back post after a long throw.

Just before half time Leighton Hewitt kept the scores locked at 0-0 with a goal line clearance.

The best chance of the half came in added time, Ethan Gough with a delicate free kick

Hodgson’s volley was kept out by the stretched leg of Keighley's keeper.

Keighley thought they had opened the scoring four minutes into the second half but the forward had made his run too soon and was ruled out for offside.

Longridge would take the lead two minutes later.

Hodgson drove into the box beating a defender before finding Harry Williamson in the box, the substitute was clinical, firing the ball into the top corner to open the scoring.

For the second time in the game Longridge felt they should have been given a penalty Hodgson causing real problems and brought down however the referee deemed him to be outside the area.

In a scrappy second half Longridge continued to control the game, Keighley able to clear the crosses and limit the visitors chances.

Anderton came close to finding a second in the final stage of the game twice attempting to catch the keeper of his line but he was unable to keep his efforts on target.

The hosts almost found an equaliser five minutes from time but Josh Burden was on hand to spectacularly parry the ball over the bar.

Hodgson was to be denied again having a deflected effort kicked around the post by the keeper.

Soon after the full time whistle would be blown confirming the win and progression in the cup for Longridge.

Match Report written by Noah Mills