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Acregate Lane recovered from 2-0 down at half time to draw level with Ma Kellys over 90 minutes and then win the penalty shoot out 4-2 to book their place in the last 16 of this season’s LFA Sunday Trophy.

This was always going to be the tie of the round between two top Sunday sides plus the added frisson of Preston versus Blackpool. Acregate Lane have started the season well and they sit on top of the premier division, however they were without four of their players who were on a function in Benidorm which was arranged months ago.

Ma Kellys Showboat. managed by Paul Cobb is a new team in the top division of the Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Alliance. They were formed from a number of lads who played for Blackhurst Budd last season plus other players from the Fylde coast, many of whom play for Wren Rovers and it was clear from the early exchanges that Acregate had a game on their hands.

That said, Acregate could have gone ahead as early as the 6th minute when they had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside in somewhat contentious circumstances as many of the Acregate players felt that it was an own goal. To make matters worse, Kellys stormed into the lead five minutes later when Brett Dawson, who proved to be a handful for the Acregate defence, scored a superb goal. Kellys are a well organised side to like to play football and they laid siege to the Acregate goal for long periods. It was no real surprise when they went 2-0 up in the 28th minute from a speculative shot from Danny Morris to give them a 2-0 half time lead.

Acregate manager Gary Duboulay rallied his troops during the interval and his words of encouragement clearly had an effect. They had a golden chance to pull one back after 51 minutes but shot wide and it was left to their talisman Paul Turner to get them back into the game with a terrific shot on 67 minutes. Now it was Acregate in the ascendancy, their back four of Luke Smith, Ryan Broomhead, Ged Morris and Lewis Bell had the measure of Kelly’s forwards and youngsters Jack Anderton, Andy Lockhart and Paul Turner were full of running.

The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Paul Turner broke into the penalty area and was upended by a Kellys defender. Referee Marlon Gupta from Accrington, who handled a difficult game well, was well positioned to award a penalty and to the Kellys defenders’ credit, there were no complaints as Turner confidently beat the keeper to make it 2-2. At this point there looked to be only one winner and in spite of Acregate throwing the kitchen sink at it they couldn’t find a winner in normal time.

And so to penalties as there is no extra time in any LFA Cup Competitions. Kellys went first and the kick was saved by Acregate’s keeper Lewis Weher. Paul Turner scored to give them the lead for the first time, Kellys scored their second pen (1-1), Andrew Lockhart made it 2-1 to Acregate, Kellys missed their third pen, Owen Thompson scored to give Acregate a 3-1 lead, Kellys then scored their second (of four) so it was left to the 17 year old Jack Anderton to score the decisive kick and put Acregate into the last 16 of the competition.

At the final whistle the Ma Kellys Manager Paul Cobb made a point of shaking hands with and congratulating the Acregate players and wishing them well in the competition. Paul said, “It really was a classic game of two halves, we were on top in the first half and they had the better of the second half. I enjoyed the game which was a good advert for Sunday football”. His opposite number Gary Duboulay was full of praise for his lads and said, “That was a tough one, they were a good strong side, but I felt that we deserved to win and we can now wait and see what the draw brings”.

Elsewhere in the Trophy Arkwrights went down 5-1 to New Albert, Ribbleton travelled to Rochdale to beat Avenue 9-0 with Richie Allen bagging a double hat trick, Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs beat Kingsfold 13-1 and Worden Rangers were beaten 13-0 by Top Club. The second round of the Syndicate Trust Youth Cup saw Winstanley Warriors Reds win 7-1 at Cadley, Euxton Villa beat Penwortham St Teresas 3-2 and Padiham beat Poulton 5-1

Hats off to Midgery Court from division 3 who joined the league this season and won their first point this morning with a 3-3 home draw against Tarleton White, who sit third in the table, with goals from Andreas Tsimboykas, Craig Newby and Will Thom. Well done guys.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

The much awaited clash between Hunters & Ingol Rangers (HIR) and Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs (SAA) took place at the UCLan Sports Arena this morning and the SAA took the points with a 1-0 victory.

Not only do these two clubs have the longest names in the league but they also have two excellent squads. SAA won the LFA Sunday Trophy in 2017 playing in the Southport Sunday League and they joined our league in August 2017. Their pedigree was such that the decision was taken to enter them in division 1 which they promptly won without losing a game. Their only domestic reverse came in their debut game when they lost to Vernon Sports in the Challenge Cup, but they made up for that by going on to win the Presidents Cup.

HIR are an amalgamation of Hunters and Ingol Rangers who both played in the premier division last season with Hunters winning the league for the second successive season and completing the double by winning the Challenge Cup. Hunters form was such that one had to go back to 25 September 2016 for their last defeat in the league when Acregate Lane LC beat them 2-1.

The game was decided by a solitary goal in the 20th minute, scored by Ben Andrews from Richard Wincer’s precise pass but that only told a fraction of the story. SAA certainly had the better of the first half and their high pressing game was causing plenty of problems for the HIR defence. That said HIR did have a chance to level matters, but Damian Green’s header rattled the crossbar and went wide. The second period was a mirror of the first but this time it was HIR who were doing the pressing, they had plenty of possession but were unable to breakdown a well organised and resolute SAA defence.

Those watching the game, and there were plenty at the Arena, cannot fail to have been impressed by these two sides who gave everything for their cause in a game that needed an experienced referee in Mark Hughes who cautioned just two players, one from each side, in a five minute spell before half time. This had the desired effect of calming things down and Mark had excellent support from his Assistants Martin Thomas and Courtney Hughes.

SAA secretary Tony Alty, who took charge of the team today in Gareth Jones’ absence said, “That was an excellent game between two good sides, played in the right spirit”. HIR boss Dixie Dawson had no complaints “They scored and we didn’t and that was the difference, but we will regroup and start again next week”.

Acregate Lane suffered their first reverse of the season losing 3-1 to a resurgent AFC Ingol, Tanterton had a comfortable win over a depleted Tulketh United, Springfields and Ashton on Ribble drew 2-2 whilst Theatre Boys and Bamber Bridge United drew 3-3.

Walton won the big game in division 1 beating Arkwrights 4-1, Sir Tom Finney maintained their 100% record with a 6-2 win at Leyland Orient and division 3 leaders Lostock Hall won 5-2 at BAE Warton.

Padiham (youth red) storm into the third round of the LFA U18s Youth Cup after a thumping 9-1 win against Ashton Athletic’s U17s. The leaders of the three youth divisions have all played four and won four, Fulwood Amateurs beat Mill Hill to lead in youth division red, Cadley beat Poulton 5-1 in youth division white and BAE Warton won at Gregson Lane in youth division blue.

Clubs are reminded that there is a League Meeting tomorrow, Monday 08 October and ALL clubs must be represented.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

Arkwrights and Gregson Lane Wanderers (GLW) who were both promoted to division 1 this season met at on the 3G surface at Corpus Christi College and a tight affair was to be expected. Nothing however could have been further from reality as Arkwrights ran out comfortable winners by an 11-2 margin. Although GLW had some key players missing, their manager Paul Mountain conceded that they were beaten by an excellent Arkwrights side whose finishing was clinical and bordering on ruthless.

With two of the league’s top marksmen playing, Jack Mountain (GLW) and Mark Taylor (Arkwright) we could expect them to score and they didn’t disappoint. Mountain bagged both GLW goals whilst Taylor netted four for Arkwrights as did his strike partner Chris Darwen with Mike Jackson, Andrew Danson and Reece Christopher adding the others. One couldn’t help feeing some sympathy for Wayne Pickering, GLW’s centre half who had to play in goals today. He could not be faulted for any of the goals and he contributed with some first class saves.

It is to be hoped that both clubs will be at full strength a week on Sunday when they play in the 3rd round (last 32) of the LFA Sunday Trophy. Arkwrights have a home tie against New Albert from division 1 of the Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Alliance whilst GLW will meet premier division side Theatre Boys at BAC Sports Ground.

Early results in the LFA U18s Youth Cup were all good news with Coppull Utd beating Horwich RMI 4-1, Fulwood Amateurs Blue beating Prestwich Marauders 3-0, Cherrybrook winning 8-3 at PDA Lancashire and BAE Warton winning 6-0 at Garstang.

Acregate Lane LC have a three point lead at the top of the premier division after beating Bamber Bridge United 2-0, Hunters & Ingol Rangers were held 1-1 by AFC Ingol and Southport & AA won 7-1 at Tulketh United. Sir Tom Finney beat Kingsfold 6-1 to lead division 2 and division 3 leaders Lostock Hall were held 1-1 by Ribble.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

Congratulations to local club AFC Preston who have qualified to play in the finals of the UK Asian Football Championship to be held in Glasgow on 21st & 22nd September with the final at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Sunday 23rd September.

The club, who joined the Lancashire Sunday League this season in division 2, qualified for the finals as winners of the North West section of the competition. They will be joined in the finals by Blackburn United, FC Panda (ex-Halifax Hammers), Gurkhas, Sporting Bengal, Singh Sabha Slough, London APSA and SEMSA.

Now in its 20th year, the event was established to promote football for all and to showcase the increasing level of footballing talent within the Asian community. The tournament will feature eight of the best Asian teams from all over the UK, including a team representing the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association (SEMSA).

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “Celtic Football Club is delighted once again to be sponsoring and hosting the UK’s Asian Football Championships. “The event is one which Celtic was instrumental in developing a number of years ago and we are pleased that the Championships have enjoyed such success in subsequent years. “Hundreds of players have taken part in matches over this period and thousands of fans have experienced these matches”.

Preliminary games will be played at Glasgow Green Football Centre on the 21st & 22nd September with the Final being played at Celtic Park on Sunday, 23rd September 2018 and we wish AFC Preston all the very best.

Eamonn McNamara.

Four years ago, this League encouraged its clubs to mark the start of World War 1 by wearing a poppy on their shirt on Remembrance Sunday which fell on 09 November 2014. Clubs responded magnificently by purchasing no less than 1,779 poppies and in doing so raised £1,067.40 for the Royal British Legion.

This year’s Remembrance Sunday falls on 11 November 2018, exactly 100 since the end of World War 1 and we feel that many clubs will want to mark the occasion by wearing a poppy on their shirt and at the same time support the work of the Royal British Legion.

There are two types of poppy, both of which are of high quality, the traditional red poppy bearing the legend 1918-2018 LEST WE FORGET and a maroon poppy bearing the legend LEST WE FORGET.

They cost £1.20 each of which 60p per poppy is donated to the Royal British Legion.

If your club is interested in obtaining some of the poppies, please e-mail Eamonn McNamara ASAP and let me know the number that you require, whether red or maroon plus a contact telephone number. Clubs who have already ordered badges need not order again.

Eamonn McNamara.

A number of our clubs were involved in County Cup action today. Five clubs had first round games in the LFA Sunday Trophy postponed from last week and three of them made progress, Ribbleton who beat AFC Longridge at the UCLan Sports Arena, Theatre Boys won 4-2 away at Shawdale and Tulketh United won 4-1 at The Puckersley. However, Gregson Lane went down 3-2 away to Eleven Sports Media from the Blackpool premier division and AFC Ingol lost 3-0 at home to a very useful looking Wardle FC from Rochdale.

The results to hand in the LFA U18s Youth Cup show Padiham winning 6-1 at Euxton Villa, Garstang beat Mellor 7-4 at home and Lostock St Gerards drew 2-2 with Cherrybrook but Cherrybrook progressed by winning the penalty shootout 3-1.

The first round of the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup saw AFC Preston beat Leyland Orient 6-3, Walton won 5-2 at Blackpool Town, Earnshaw Bridge won 3-2 at Fulwood Park Rangers, Gregson Lane Wanderers beat Penwortham Town 5-4 in a thriller at Fishwick Bottoms, Lostock Hall won at Ribbleton Wanderers, Warton travelled to Tarleton Corinthians for an 8-2 win and Vernon Sports beat Park United 5-3.

Hunters & Ingol Rangers are up to second in the premier division after their 6-0 win at Ashton on Ribble and Southport & Ainsdale’s good start continued with a 7-1 home win against Bamber Bridge United. Arkwrights are five points clear at the top of division 1 after their 4-2 win at Walton Athletic and Wyresdale Rangers picked up their first win of the season beating Worden Rangers 3-1. Sir Tom Finney’s perfect start continued with a 3-1 home win against Bamber Bridge Town in division 2 and Ribble v Rufford Park Rangers ended 2-2 in division 3 whilst BAE Warton won 5-1 at Leyland BTR.

Just a handful of league games in the youth section today as many clubs were involved in LFA games. Mill Hill opened their account in youth division red with a 6-1 home win against Haslingden St Marys, in youth division white Cadley won 2-0 away at AFC Fylde Colts, Layton Lions won 3-2 at Chipping and Poulton won 5-0 at Winstanley Warriors. Layton Cavs and Tarleton Corinthians drew 3-3 in youth division blue, BAE Warton won 8-1 at Ribble Wanderers and Penwortham St Teresas beat Springfields 7-0 at Hutton.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

Physical Training: The Society provides physical training for its members at UCLan Sports Arena Training every Monday evening between 6.30-7.30pm except on Society Monthly Meeting nights when it will be brought forward to 6.00-7.00pm.

For further details about the physical training sessions please contact Paul Marsden here.

Lancashire Sunday Football League is always happy to accept new referees to its list of officials. If you have any enquiries about refereeing on the League or would like to be added to the list of officials, please contact the League’s Referee Manager David McNamara here.

Mid Lancashire Football League operates on Saturday afternoons for Open Age clubs and they are also happy to accept new referees to its list of officials. If you have any enquiries about refereeing on the League or would like to be added to the list of officials, please contact the League’s Referee Secretary Tony Hawkes here.