Premier League Review 23rd January

NINETY-FOUR year old Fred Slater lit up the Longridge sky on Saturday afternoon as the longest serving Town supporter flicked the switch that signalled the start of a bright new era for the ambitious West Lancs League Premier Division side Longridge Town (writes Howard Jones).
And veteran fan Fred was delighted that his team finally got the better of their local rivals Garstang that saw top scorer Brad Carsley bag all four of their goals in the second-half in a 4-1 win, to take his personal season’s tally of goals in league and cup to 26 so far.
Fred said: “I’ve been coming along to support Town for more years than l can remember but l was honoured that the chairman asked me to switch on the new floodlights - they were blinding!"
And talking of blinding, Town’s second half show was their first ever home win over their local rivals and the first time that they had scored against their opponents too at the MRG (Mike Riding Ground).
A delighted Town chairman Brian Parkinson added: “This is a very big day for Longridge Town.
“It signals our intention to push on as a football club and l still think this side has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to next weekend and another big game at Fulwood who appear to be running away with it at the moment.”
The weekend’s clash at Lightfoot Lane will see the top two in the Premier League go head to head, with former Longridge all time top goalscorer Rick Coar likely to be lining up against his former side.
In the day’s only other game that wrestled free from rains and frost on Saturday, was at Eagley where a solitary Euxton Villa goal brought them three away day points thanks to a 55th minute strike from Greg Johnstone.

On the previous friday Blackpool Wren Rovers played Charnock Richard in the Lancashire Amateur Shield Semi-Final at Darwen AFC.
In an exciting competitive game played on a poor pitch Charnock took the lead after 14 minutes with a goal by Dave Burrows, followed by Dave Morris equalizing from the penalty on 18 minutes. Burrows scored his second on 28 minutes to give Charnock a deserved half time 2-1 lead.
An own goal by Wrens extended the lead to 3-1 before Wrens fought back with goals by Chris Glynn on 72 minutes and a second from Danny Morris on 82 minutes brought the scores level taking the game to a penalty shoot out, with Wrens edging out Charnock 5-4.
Earlier in the week Poulton lost 2-0 to Royton Town who will play Wrens at the County ground