Longridge Town Match Report

Stockport Town leave it late to grab a point against Longridge Town in the first game of the New Year.

The Lions score a late equaliser to rescue a point for themselves after a poor first half against The Ridge whose winless streak is extended.

Before the match got underway, Town had to make a change on the bench as Darren Ehimamiegho was injured during the warmups and was replaced by Harley Monaghan.

In just the first minute of the match Longridge had a chance to take the lead as the visitors won the ball back in Town’s box but the shot on goal was cleared away just in time by Town's Captain Markell Foulds.

In the 12th minute, a well-placed corner by Longridge found the head of Town player Daniel McLaughlin, who unfortunately sent it onto the post and the ball bounced in the net putting the away side into the lead.

In the 27th minute, Longridge Towns Number 9 Liam Atkinson advanced on the Town goal and was brought down, the referee didn't hesitate and pointed to the spot. Josh Schofield got close to the penalty kick but it was converted and Longridge have a 2-0 lead.

Just after the goal in the 30th minute, Town's energetic Green made a great run and found himself through on goal, he took his shot early while outside the box and he shot nestled into the bottom right corner of Longridge’s net and Town were back in the game.

In the 37th minute, a well-placed right wing cross by Longridge found Liam Atkinson who headed it into the top right corner of Towns net and put the away side two goals ahead once again. 

One last chance for Town as Foulds was able to head the ball over the Longridge defence and into the path of McLaughlin but as he shot the ref blew his whistle for offside. The referee brought the first half to an end with the visitors leading 3-1.

Before the second half started, Paul Turnbull made 3 substitutes as off went Daniel McLaughlin, Jamies Walsh and Harrison Lomakin-Rogers. They were replaced by Harley Monaghan, Collins Kagame, Jeffry Edos Oni.

Just two minutes into the second half, Longridge goalkeeper Kier Barry flew out of his net and fouls a Town player just outside the box, this decision saw him receive the first booking of the game.

In the 49th minute, Town had a great chance to get another goal from a corner, but Edos Oni sent the ball over the bar at point blank range.

Town saw their first booking in the 56th minute. Oliver Kilner was booked and Sin-binned for dissent.

In the 58th minute, Edos Oni was pressured into giving the ball away and Longridge's Atkinson had a chance to make it 4-1 and get his second of the game but Schofield denied the attacker brilliantly.

Just two minutes later Atkinson rushes through Towns defence and lays it off to Anderton but his shot is saved again by Schofield.

Town made another change in the 66th minute. This saw Keane Barugh come off for George Omokua.

In the 69th minute, Town pulled another goal back as a right wing cross finds Josh Edwards, who heads it onto the crossbar which bounces down and over the line. Making the score 3-2 to visitors.

Both Town and Longridge decided to make more changes as for Town Kilner was subbed off for Gardner while Longridge subbed off Matt Van Wyk and Adams for Luke Smith and debutant Gary Basterfield.

With only a few minutes left of normal time the referee indicated four minutes added time.

Just a minute into the four added minutes Ethan Padden ran through on the right-hand side before firing a shot on goal which was saved but landed right into the path of Harley Monaghan who scored the equaliser and rescued Town a point. Town were buoyed by the equaliser and ran straight back to see if they could score again and pick up all three points. Finley Devenney was booked and sin-binned at the very end for dissent.

Strangely the referee blew the full-time whistle with only 2 minutes of added time played. Town had managed to rescue themselves from defeat, meanwhile, Longridge now go nine games without a win.

Stockport Towns next match takes place on Saturday 11th January at Stockport Sports Village and then on Tuesday 14th January, both The Lions and Longridge play each other again but in the reverse fixture.

Lineups:

Stockport Town: Schofield, Padden, Edwards, Lomakin-Rogers (45’ Edos Oni), Foulds, Kilner (74’ Gardner), Green, Atkinson, McLaughlin (45’ Monaghan), Walsh (45’ Kagame), Barugh (66’ Omokua)

Subs not Used:

Longridge Town: Barry, Hewitt, McLean, Marshall, Devenney, Edmundson, Adams (74’ Basterfield), Richmond, Atkinson, Van Wyk (74’ Smith), Anderton

Subs not Used: Carter, Goncalves, Wilkinson