Longridge Town

Ground 21

Match 22

Longridge Town 7-1 Hesketh Bank

The Mike Riding Ground

Inglewhite Road

West Lancs Division 1

Addmission £1 donation including a programme

Gate - approx 40

Distance Travelled 15 miles

Most drinks and snacks 50p

Longridge is a town just outside Preston in the Ribble valley popular with hikers , campers and climbers . The first images of the ground are a large rectangular sign next to the gate entrance , a massive car park , the old changing room cabins , a modern changing room building and the panoramic landscape views which are absolutely stunning especially on a blistering hot afternoon like today . I couldn't remember if the kick off was 2pm or 3pm but soon realised i was in time , arriving at 2.45 pm , kick off was at 3pm . I was relieved and paid a £1 donation in the modern tea/snacks club house . Only one drawback , a single toilet at the far end of the changing rooms . There is a pub nearby though , The Alison Arms which is perfect if you arrive early . Grumpy was well chuffed . Cup of Coffee and crisps 50p each and a decent match programme , not many pages (12) but enough to read and good quality bold printing . All we needed now was a great match . Hesketh in their familar black and yellow quarters and Longridge in red provide a cascade of colour enhanced by the Referee's assistants , one from each club , in fluorescent orange . Hesketh begin to take the game to Longridge and appear to have acres of space in which to play , control the ball , pass and move . Towns coaching staff are concerned with the amount of space conceded and insist their team tighten up . After 10 minutes Town should have been awawrded a spot kick but the Ref was unshaken . It seemed to be playing on his mind though , five minutes later he relented and seemed to make ammends by giving Town a penalty kick for a clumsy challenge in the box . Bank had looked comfortable up to this point and were holding their own against Town , unbeaten in the league this season . The penalty kick was neatly tucked away to give Town the lead , confidence was running through the team but Bank still created chances , going close several times . Town stepped up a gear and were finding more room making it 2-0 just before half time . Chance of a cuppa for Grumpy and myself in the lounge/kitchen . Town soon dominate in the second half and goals flow like water on tap . The third goal comes yet again from the penalty spot after a poor tackle in the box ; blasted into the roof of the net . Hesketh are causing most of their own problems and poor defending is not helping their cause . Town run riot and its soon 6-0 before Hesketh silence the home fans with a penalty kick of their own . Town complete the rout and finish 7-1 winners . Back to the club house and time for autograph hunting .

Got the Longridge signatures but didn't have the bottle to ask for Hesketh's , not after this debacle !