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Longridge Town Junior FC’s Under-12s are celebrating after winning the Central Lancs Junior League plate at the weekend, with a 4-2 victory over Ribbleton Greens.

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This was a massive achievement for the boys, and it was the first time that a Longridge Team had won that trophy.

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Longridge started the game strongly and took the lead inside five minutes with a goal from Alex Mcdonald, the striker. Playing some neat football on the Cadley FC pitch, the team grew in confidence and took a grip of the game.

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Midway through the first half,  captain Noah Hindley intercepted the ball on the halfway line, and set off on a driving run, beating three opposition players to hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

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The half time score was 2-0.

 

In what was a tighter second half, Longridge demonstrated better attacking play, including a chance off the crossbar.

Jake Shaw stood firm for Longridge in goal, with a string of impressive saves.

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Longridge soon found themselves 3-0 up after a strong tackle in centre-midfield by Jude Tomlinson, who saw an opportunity for a goal from close to the halfway line, and launched a fantastic strike that stunned the 100-strong crowd.

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Within five-minutes, a second great strike from Noah Hindley - a long-distance freekick which found the top corner - gave the Longridge team a comfortable margin.

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Ribbleton then found an extra gear after the restart, and scored two goals in quick succession, making the score 4-2.

 

The nail-biting last ten-minutes passed slowly, with more chances at both ends, until the final whistle meant that the Longridge lads were finally in possession of the cup.

 

Jeremy Riding, the team manager said, “The lads have worked so hard all season and deserve their success. I am proud of each and every one of them. The standard of football and the fantastic team ethic shone through in their performance today. Roll on next season”.

 

Team: Noah Hindley (c), Alex McDonald, Joseph Riding, Sam Baines, Jake Shaw, George Baylis, Jude Tomlinson, Teddy Winder, Lewis Wardley, Nathan Hartley, Henry Dowthwaithe, Henry Proctor, Jan Doguer

 

Manager: Jeremey Riding

 

Assistant Manager: Ian McDonald