LONGRIDGE played their fourth game in the space of ten days knowing another three points were vital against struggling Baxters. Bateson brought back Mercer into the back three along with Banks. Glover made his first start for the first team in centre midfield alongside the evergreen Harrison and Parkinson.
The game started as expected with Longridge putting severe pressure on the Baxters goal, delivering cross after cross from wide men Ross and Melling. The Baxters centre backs were having outstanding games though, dealing with everything in the air and playing a tight offside trap which was catching out strikers Gray and English time after time.
Baxters were offering nothing going forward with Mercer, Banks and Riley in total control at the back, as the away side looked content with a point right from the off. Just as Longridge were running out of ideas English broke through down the right and delivered a low cross which Gray turned in at the near post to give Longridge the lead. Seconds later it seemed Longridge would extend their lead with Gray unmarked in the box, but English badly miscued his centre to the relief of Baxters.
At half time Bateson and Dewhurst were unhappy with the performance, demanding that Longridge used the width of the pitch and that they released wingbacks Ross and Melling in behind the Baxters full backs. Longridge didn't follow their instructions though as they continued to go direct, with the Baxters centre backs winning everything in the air. Baxters began to gain in confidence and could sense a way back into the game. It eventually came from the penalty spot as Hind clipped the on-rushing Baxters striker and the referee gave a very debateable penalty. Baxters number ten made no mistake from the spot sending Hind the wrong way.
Longridge knew they had a game on their hands and as time ticked away they became more and more desperate with a series of corners not troubling the Baxters defence. Then out of the blue Dewhurst, introduced by Bateson minutes earlier ran onto a through ball, touched the ball around the Baxters keeper and coolly rolled the ball into the empty net to send the Longridge fans wild. With just five minutes to go Longridge played out the remainder of the game comfortably to claim another valuable three points. It was a poor performance by the home side on a shocking playing surface and they will be very much relieved to have collected another three points.
Team: B Hind, T Banks, N Riley, R Mercer, J Ross, D Parkinson, P Harrison, T Glover, J Melling, J English, P Gray. Subs: J Dewhurst, F Spencer, L Routledge, O Brunton
Match Sponsor: Longridge Dry Cleaners