Match Preview: Longridge Town v AFC Fylde(Pre Season)04/07/23.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Longridge Town Football club is a team situated in the county of Lancashire about 8 miles outside of the city of Preston. Longridge currently ply their trade in the North West Counties Premier division. Nicknamed the ridge, Longridge currently play their home games at the Recycling Lives Ground which is a short 10-minute walk from Longridge town centre. Formed in 1996 following a merger between Longridge st Wilfrids and Longridge United, the Ridge have a fairly small but successful history winning many of the Preston leagues before joining the West Lancashire league in 2008. Longridge have achieved success as recent as the 2017-18 season which saw them as champions of the North West Counties Division One North at the first time of asking. The Ridge’s most successful season at Premier Division level came when the club looked on the up, sitting in 5th position before the season got curtailed due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
Longridge Town Football club is a team situated in the county of Lancashire about 8 miles outside of the city of Preston. Longridge currently ply their trade in the North West Counties Premier division. Nicknamed the ridge, Longridge currently play their home games at the Recycling Lives Ground which is a short 10-minute walk from Longridge town centre. Formed in 1996 following a merger between Longridge st Wilfrids and Longridge United, the Ridge have a fairly small but successful history winning many of the Preston leagues before joining the West Lancashire league in 2008. Longridge have achieved success as recent as the 2017-18 season which saw them as champions of the North West Counties Division One North at the first time of asking. The Ridge’s most successful season at Premier Division level came when the club looked on the up, sitting in 5th position before the season got curtailed due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
CURRENT SQUAD AND MANAGEMENT
Never easy to write about in a pre-season game, however we'll give a go!
Lee Ashcroft currently is the man in charge at the Ridge who has a wealth of experience in non-league as well as playing for local championship side Preston North End in his playing days. Lee has enjoyed a lengthy stay at the Recycling Lives Ground enjoying a 9-year tenure with the 2023/24 season being his 10th season which has been seen with a great deal of success.
3 men to watch for the ridge are Dean Ing, Ben
Fletcher and Jack Anderton. Dean, a traditional centre forward, has been
playing at this level for some time now with his previous clubs being Squires
Gate and Colne. Ing can certainly find the target notching 26 goals last term
and earning the supporter’s player of the year and will be definitely one to
watch. Jack Anderton also has a massive influence in the final third providing
goals for Ing, whilst also having the capability to finish himself scoring 7
goals last term. The former Fc United man has an ability to play in a numerous
positions and could provide a threat to the Coasters on the night. The final
man, El Capitano last season, Ben Fletcher the midfield general, voted player
of the season by the management whilst also claiming the Champagne moment in
the Ridge’s season with a sensational goal against Yorkshire Amateur.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
One half of Coasters review is convinced we have met pre-season before at Longridge, but apparently not
One previous meeting between the 2 clubs was a behind closed doors(September)friendly in the 2020/21 season (which was eventually curtailed by covid) with the coasters running out 2-1 winners with goals from Alex Whitmore and Luke Burke after Ridges Joe Melling had given them the lead. The game was played at Kellamergh Park and involved a big day out for the trialist family with 4 involved from the coasters side.
CURRENT FORM
A tough one to write considering its the first Pre-season game for AFC Fylde!
The Coasters come into this game fresh from promotion and winning the title with a 0-2 away win at Bradford Park Avenue last term and will look to start their pre-season strongly. An influx of new signings has joined the squad adding to the promotion side. For the hosts however, this is their second preseason game after running out 4-1 winners to Lostock St Gerards as well as finishing second in the George Melling tournament which was held at the Recycling lives ground, played in honour of the ex Longridge Player.
HOW TO GET THERE
Longridge Town FC is a 11-minute walk from the main high street and with no rail station in Longridge the only option by public transport is bus. This would mean arriving at Preston train station then a 10-minute walk to Preston Bus station where you could catch the Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire Bus number 1 to Longridge, which is just under a 40 minute journey. The number 1 bus departs Preston bus station every 10 minutes during the day which is then increased to every half an hour after 6 o’clock in the evening.
Last departure to make the game would be the 18:55 off Preston Bus station which arrives at Longridge Post office at 19:21, followed by a 11 min walk.
After the match, if your quick the 1 Departs at 21:54 from Longridge Post Office arriving at Preston Bus station at 22:24, more leisurely(or frequenting some watering holes)you have the 22:24 departure arriving Preston at 22:50.
An offer on single tickets for Adults means its £2.00 single, so no more than £4.00 should be paid out and back.
Never easy to write about in a pre-season game, however we'll give a go!
Lee Ashcroft currently is the man in charge at the Ridge who has a wealth of experience in non-league as well as playing for local championship side Preston North End in his playing days. Lee has enjoyed a lengthy stay at the Recycling Lives Ground enjoying a 9-year tenure with the 2023/24 season being his 10th season which has been seen with a great deal of success.
One half of Coasters review is convinced we have met pre-season before at Longridge, but apparently not
One previous meeting between the 2 clubs was a behind closed doors(September)friendly in the 2020/21 season (which was eventually curtailed by covid) with the coasters running out 2-1 winners with goals from Alex Whitmore and Luke Burke after Ridges Joe Melling had given them the lead. The game was played at Kellamergh Park and involved a big day out for the trialist family with 4 involved from the coasters side.
A tough one to write considering its the first Pre-season game for AFC Fylde!
The Coasters come into this game fresh from promotion and winning the title with a 0-2 away win at Bradford Park Avenue last term and will look to start their pre-season strongly. An influx of new signings has joined the squad adding to the promotion side. For the hosts however, this is their second preseason game after running out 4-1 winners to Lostock St Gerards as well as finishing second in the George Melling tournament which was held at the Recycling lives ground, played in honour of the ex Longridge Player.
Longridge Town FC is a 11-minute walk from the main high street and with no rail station in Longridge the only option by public transport is bus. This would mean arriving at Preston train station then a 10-minute walk to Preston Bus station where you could catch the Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire Bus number 1 to Longridge, which is just under a 40 minute journey. The number 1 bus departs Preston bus station every 10 minutes during the day which is then increased to every half an hour after 6 o’clock in the evening.
Last departure to make the game would be the 18:55 off Preston Bus station which arrives at Longridge Post office at 19:21, followed by a 11 min walk.
After the match, if your quick the 1 Departs at 21:54 from Longridge Post Office arriving at Preston Bus station at 22:24, more leisurely(or frequenting some watering holes)you have the 22:24 departure arriving Preston at 22:50.
An offer on single tickets for Adults means its £2.00 single, so no more than £4.00 should be paid out and back.
If coming by car the grounds post code is PR3 2NA, Takes between 22 and 40 Minutes from Mill Farm depending on traffic.
A small car park is provided but the club state it tends to fill up and is on a first come/first served basis, they ask we be respectful of local residents when parking.
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COSTS TO GET IN
A little bit cheaper as its pre season....
A little bit cheaper as its pre season....
£5.00 Adults
£3.00 Concessions
£2.00 Juniors(12-18)
Free Under 11's
£3.00 Concessions
£2.00 Juniors(12-18)
Free Under 11's
LAST GAME PLAYED
Lostock St Gerards 1
Longbridge Town 4
01/07/23 Pre Season.
Bradford Park Avenue 0
AFC Fylde 2
29/04/23 National League North.