Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

20^th August 2008

Earby Town FC Res. 2 – 7  Long Preston FC

 

LongPreston - Dugdale; Rodgers, Newhouse, Rigby, Porter; Bland J, Mounsey, Sharpe(c), Marshall; Snape, Stanford.

Subs; Attewell Kris, Windle, Lambert

 

Scorers: Bland J, Stanford 4, Snape, Mounsey

Man of the Match: Stanford

 

Long Preston got their season off to a flyer with a superb attacking display away to Earby.

 

The game was a slow one to get going, with the first 15 minutes very even until a break down the LPFC right allowed Marshall to square for the returning Jack Bland to tap home for the opener. Earby soon hit back however, and made it all square when a long ball was not cleared properly allowing their striker a simple equaliser. LPFC did not let that setback affect them and they were soon 2-1 up. Stanford, on his debut, slipped through the Earby defence and finished confidently to give LPFC the lead. Stanford then made it 3-1 with a carbon copy of his first. Earby managed to hit back again before he break, another defensive error allowing them to reduce the arrears at half time to 3-2.

 

Following some stern words from joint-manager East, the second half was all LPFC. And early Snape header killed off any hope of a comeback given by Earby’s late first half goal before Stanford got his debut hat-trick lobbing the keeper after being sent clean through. He wasn’t finished there though, and got his fourth with a superbly taken free kick before Mounsey capped the big win with a back post header.  The victory was marred slightly for LPFC after Stuart Rigby was sent off for a second bookable offence by the overly zealous referee but with the first win of the season chalked up and new boy Stanford off to a flyer, managers East and Attewell went home happy.

 

Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

22^nd August 2008

Long Preston FC 9 – 2  Barnoldswick Barons FC Res.

 

 

LongPreston - Dugdale; Rigby, Newhouse, Windle, Rodgers; Bland J, Mounsey, Sharpe(c), Attewell Kris; Snape, Stanford.

Subs; Marshall, Bland H, Lambert

 

Scorers: Snape, Stanford 5, Bland J, Attewell Kris, Bland H

Man of the Match: Bland J

 

Another big win and another hatful of goals for new striker Stanford saw Long Preston hammer Barnoldswick Barons and repeat last season’s opening day heroics with another 7 goal win.

 

LPFC started like a house on fire and were ahead after only a few minutes, Snape stabbing home a pullback from the right to give LPFC the perfect start. Stanford kept his scoring run going with two expertly taken goals after dribbling past a static defence to ensure LPFC went into the break in total control at 3-0.

 

Stanford completed his second successive hat-trick just after half time to seal the game and, as Barnoldswick piled forward in search of a consolation LPF played some excellent counter attacking football to pick the opposition off and run riot as Kris Attewell, the Bland brothers and Stanford (twice) put a sheen on the scoreline. LPFC will again be concerned that they did not keep a clean sheet, Barnoldswick’s all out attack from 4-0 down did net 2 consolations, but as long as the strikers keep scoring, all should be well.

 

 

 

Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

26^th August 2008

Long Preston FC 4 – 2  Horton FC

 

Long Preston - Dugdale; Rigby, Newhouse, Windle, Rodgers; Bland J, Mounsey, Attewell Kris, Marshal Josh; Snape, Stanford.

Subs; Marshall Ben, Bland H, Lambert

 

Scorers: Bland J 2, Attewell Kris, Stanford

Man of the Match: Bland J

 

Long Preston passed their first major test of the season against recently relegated Horton by overcoming their local rivals with a hard fought victory.

 

LPFC adapted to the terrible conditions the quickest, playing some neat football and getting the opening goal from a Jack Bland header after a long throw in. LPFC’s early dominance was converted into a 2-0 lead, when Kris Attewell scored after a messy goalmouth scramble. However, more uncertain defending meant Horton went into the break with some hope, a dangerous crossed turned into his own net by the unfortunate Newhouse.

 

LPF started the second half with the same amount of control they had exhibited in the first and were rewarded for their dominance with a third goal when Stanford brilliantly beat three men before calmly slotting past the onrushing keeper. LPFC could neer rest easily however, and Horton found a way back into the game after a long ball was mis-judged to allow their striker a clear run on goal putting them back in with a shout at 3-2. The game was finally put to bed by LPFC in the last minute when Jack Bland capped a man of the match performance with his second, tapping in a cross from close range.

 

Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

29^th August 2009

Waddington FC Res. 3 – 2 Long Preston FC

 

 

Team:  Dugdale, Rodgers, Rigby, J Bland, Newhouse, Mounsey, Kris Attewell, Sharpe. Stanford, H Bland, Loughlin. 

Subs : Porter, Lambert, North.

Scorers :  Sharpe, Mounsey (pen)

Man of the Match: J Bland

 

Long Preston crashed to their first defeat of the season against a tough, organised Waddington outfit on a sloping pitch in windy conditions. Waddington took the lead after a bright opening ten minutes beating a static away defence to score easily. More poor defending allowed Waddington to double their lead with an almost identical goal making it 2-0. Long Preston were back in it on the stroke of half time with a barely deserved goal from Sharpe – a mis-hit cross catching the wind and drifting in at the far post.

 

The goal gave Long Preston a boost in the second half and, with the wind behind them, they pushed for an equaliser but went further behind when caught on the break for the Waddinton striker to complete his hat-trick with a good turn and shot from 18 yards. Mounsey gave Long Preston hope late on when he converted an penalty given for handball but Waddington comfortably held on for a deserved win.

 

 

Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

12^th September 2009

Long Preston FC 4 – 2 Colne Jnrs FC

 

 

Team:  Dugdale, Porter, Rigby, Mounsey, Newhouse, Windle, J Marshall, J Bland, Keane Attewell, Harry Bland, Kris Attewell.. 

Subs : Ben Marshall, Snape, Mulliner

Scorers :  J Bland 2, H Bland, Kris Attewell.

Man of the Match: Windle

 

Long Preston were back to winning ways with a good win over a spirited Colne side who didn’t lie down easily. Long Preston were ahead early on when Jack Bland headed home a well flighted cross from the right and the lead was doubled soon after when his brother Harry prodded home another good cross. Colne hit back before half time with a well taken free kick that was powered past Dugdale in the Long Preston goal.

 

After a nervy start to the second half, Jack Bland allowed Long Preston to breathe a little easier again, beating three men with some skilful dribbling before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper. Colne again refused to be beaten and pulled another back via the penalty spot but Long Preston wrapped the game up soon after when Kris Attewell did his best Ronaldo impression by hammering home a free-kick to secure the victory.

 

 

Craven Challenge Cup – Round 1

19^th September 2009

Earby Town FC 5 – 1 Long Preston FC

 

Team: Dugdale, Porter, Rodgers, Mounsey, Newhouse, Windle, J Marshall, Loughlin, Stanford, Snape, Rigby. 

Subs : H Bland, B Marshall

Scorers : Mounsey.

Man of the Match: Windle.

 

Long Preston were easily beaten by second division Earby to exit the Craven Challenge Cup. They were behind after only five minutes when an Earby striker got in behind the Long Preston defence to score. Long Preston’s early nerves were again evident as an Earby striker turned his marker to fire home from the edge of the box. Oddly, going 2-0 down seemed to settle Long Preston and they begun to battle better but still went further behind to an excellent lobbed finish from the Earby player. Long Preston got a consolation goal before the break, Mounsey heading in a corner.

 

The second half was a more even contest than the first, but Earby’s class still told with two late goals sealing the game.

 

 

Northern Plant Hire Trophy – Round 1

26^th September 2009

Long Preston FC 4 – 5 Trawden Celtic FC

 

Team: Keane Attewell, North, Rodgers, Mounsey, H Bland, Windle, Kris Attewell, J Bland, Stanford, Snape, J Marshall. 

Subs : Taylor, B Marshall

Scorers : Own Goal, Snape 2, Stanford.

Man of the Match: J Bland

 

Long Preston were close to causing a major shock but managed to let a 4-2 lead against Division 1 Trawden Celtic slip to exit the cup at the first attempt. Trawden took an early lead but Long Preston were soon level after good pressure caused a defender to put the ball into his own net. Trawden re-took the lead soon after, but a Snape goal made it 2-2 going into the break.

 

A lightning start to the second half saw Long Preston two goals clear. Some excellent passing football led to goals from Snap and Stanford and the upset looked to be on. However, Trawden showed why they are a Division 1 side, pulling a goal back quickly before praying on the nervousness in the Long Preston defence to equalise with a mis-hit cross that lobbed into the far corner. A late winner sealed the victory for them and heartbreak for Long Preston, but the home side can be proud of their performance against a side ranke several divisions higher.

 

 

West Riding CFA – Challenge Trophy Round 1

2^th October 2009

Long Preston FC 0 – 10 North East Leeds FC

 

Team:  Porter, North, Taylor, Rodgers, H Bland, Windle, Marshall, Newhouse, Kris Attewell, Snape, Loughlin 

Subs : Sharpe

Scorers : 

Man of the Match: The Ball. And the wind.

 

Long Preston went out of their third cup competition in a two weeks after injuries, holidays and jibbers caused them to field a very under-strength team in the West Riding Challenge Trophy against a talented side from the big smoke. A hugely impressive Leeds side put them to the sword even after Long Preston made a bright start, and for the first twenty minutes the match was competitive and even. However, once the Leeds side settled they were a few classes above Long Preston on the day and deserved their victory. Whilst Rodgers and H Bland put in Long Preston’s best performances, it was not enough to stop the city boys scoring 5 in each half to run out more than comfortable winners.

 

 

Devonshire Carpets Craven and District Football League Division Three

11^th October 2009

Ingrow and Worth Valley FC 1 – 5 Long Preston FC

 

Team: Dugdale, Mounsey, Porter, Rodgers, Newhouse, Windle, J Bland, H Bland, Attewell, Snape, Rigby. 

Subs : Green, Stanford, Marshall.

Scorers :  Windle, J Bland 2, Stanford , Attewell.

Man of the Match: J Bland

 

After two minutes of play and an early attack, it seems there is a colour clash between the familiar yellow and black stripes of Long Preston and Ingrow’s diminutive keeper, quickly solved by him adopting an old school ‘skins and gloves’ look. After a slow ten minutes he was handed an oversized fluoro number, obviously a left over from last season’s key day-glo look, but he seems happier since the change. Against the run of play Ingrow tap home the opener route one fashion leaving the LPFC defence unsettled by the goal.1-0.

 

A positive move from Snape quashed by a dubious offside decision, another chance goes wanting as Rigby heads over the bar after a double headed Bland move as the sun shines over a beautiful Dale’s vista. Attewell came close again denied by some quick keeping. Long Preston goal disallowed, hand ball apparently, but I didn’t see it, distracted by another wardrobe malfunction which lead to the Ingrow keeper exposing a greying pair of briefs.

 

J Bland unlucky to score after a prolonged spell of pressure, and not just from his padded shorts. H Bland floating in some perfectly weighted crosses but still LP fail to penetrate.

 

A ‘wreckless’ challenge from J Bland (Continental refereeing and I don’t just mean his silky grey hair- Bland got the ball) resulted in a looping free kick towards the LP goal, deftly punched away by the irresistible Dugdale.

 

As the sun set on the first half and the ice cream van whirled in the distance- just too far out of reach, LP were unlucky to finish a goal down, denied mainly by plucky Wayne in the Ingrow nets.

 

After a good first half Snape returned to full baby alert on the bench, replaced by Stanford up front.

 

Some structured combination play from Rigby, Rodgers and Stanford only interrupted by the Sir Nigel Gresley passing by... 15 carriages if you were interested, provided  Windle with fuel for the equaliser. 1-1   

 

More positive play from H Bland and chances from substitute Stanford, kept out by some excellent saves from the Tim Howard-esque keeper, put it this way his language was more colourful than his shirt as he launched in to a foul mouthed torrent of abuse towards his own side. Not to much prevail as J Bland headed in from a corner 1-2.

 

Porter off after a sterling performance, and heads straight for the Deep Heat, LP’s cage fighting hero Kev Green replaces  and quickly passes one into goal, only to ruled offside. LP settle quickly as a Stanford with a lovely touch from a goal kick, powers home. 1-3 ASSIST DUGDALE.

 

In an impressive display of Am-Dram, player-manager Attewell “looked like he’d been taken out by a sniper from the grassy knoll” M. Snape, but quickly recovered to combine with Stanford and make it 1-4.

 

5 mins from time Co-Manager East gives young Ben Marshall a run. East running the touch however looked more like he was guiding in aeroplanes to the nearby Leeds Bradford Airport, but LP continued the pressure, an athletic display from Kev Green, Stanford hitting the bar and J Bland sliding home another to make it 1-5.

 

Lovely stuff, not my words, the words of Shakin’ Stevens.  

 

Match report by Lucy Gledhill.

 

 

The Sir Nigel Gresley