Match Report: Avro 1-2 Longridge Town

Two second half goals at the Vestacare Stadium secured victory for Town who broke their duck on artificial surfaces infront of a crowd of 192.

Town fell behind early in the second half to a powerful Michael Shenton header but goals from Paul Turner and debutant Sam Maddox secured victory for The Ridge in their first ever step five fixture.

It was even first half between the newly promoted sides with Ashcroft’s men edging it on chances without troubling Jordan Latham in the Avro goal.

Daniel Birch was causing the Avro leftback all sorts of problems with all of Town’s promising attacks coming down the right hand side but it was Avro had the first meaningful effort of the game, springing a counter attack but not troubling Lee Dovey in the Town goal.

Delial Brewster came close to opening the scoring for the visitors. Nice play down the right found Brewster in the box. Brewster managed to fashion a chance after some nice footwork but his effort with the outside of the boot flew past the post.

Moments before the half time whistle Brewster was again played through on goal but Latham was quick off his line to keep goalless going into the break.

Whatever was said in the home dressing room at half time worked wonders as Avro were quick of the blocks in the second half.

Substitute Duncan Knott was played through on goal one on one slotting wide. A few moments later his deflected effort put pressure on Dovey. From the resulting corner Avro took the lead.

The initial corner was over hit to the winger. His cross found Shenton who’s bullet header left Dovey with no chance. The team that scored first looked most likely to win.

Paul Turner had other ideas. A perfect pass over the top from midfield saw the young forward one on one with the keeper and there was only going to be one winner as he coolly slotted the ball home.

The goal swung the game again with Town back on top. Avro had a rare chance at the other end and nearly made Town pay. Daniel Parkinson flashed the ball across the six yard box and his strike partner managed to hit the bar when it seemed harder to miss.

Brewster was replaced by Maddox as a precaution and the new signing was on the scoresheet a minute into his debut. Danny Wilks was moved into a more advanced position and provided the assist for Maddox to tap into the empty goal.

Town were pushed back late on with the hosts piling on the pressure but after four additional minutes of stoppage Town held on for all three points.

Town are again on their travels to greater Manchester to face Irlam on Tuesday night with a scheduled 7.45 KO.

MOTM – Tom Ince

Avro Starting Xl: Latham, Poxon, Fallon, Fitzgerald (Odell), Shenton (49), Mather, Bevan (Knott), Morrow, Ainsworth (Norton), Potts, Parkinson

Town starting Xl: Dovey, Birch, Wilkinson (Lawrence), Linighan, McKenna, Tucker, Wicks, Turner 56, Brewster (Maddox 65), Ince (Capt), Thomas

Unused subs: Garstang, Makinwike, Wood