Just as last year's, the tournament was to honour former Longridge Town captain George Melling and raise money for The Motor Neurone Disease Association. Longridge hosted as Bamber Bridge, Workington AFC, Clitheroe, Coppull United and Fulwood Amateurs travelled over to take part.

We'd like to thank every team for playing even if some of them couldn't make it back for the second day.

Those teams being Workington and Coppull, who, on the second day were replaced by Bamber Bridge and Fulwood Amateurs respectively.

The opening match between Longridge Town and Clitheroe kicked us off.

Town were given a hard time by the young Clitheroe goalkeeper who did himself proud in keeping the score down in the first half, but once the first couple went in the floodgates began to open.

Connor Newton blasted home from close range after a corner dropped to the defender's feet on 20 minutes.

Liam Atkinson added another just after half time, finding the top corner from 20 yards out.

Tom McCann made it three moments later when Seb Bailey saw a shot turned away into the midfielder's path, who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.

Liam Atkinson bagged his second of the game with 20 minutes left to play as he turned a square ball from Ryan McLean into the back of the net.

It was then a huge moment for youngster Lewis Caffery.

Straight from the Longridge Town juniors, Caffery came on for the last 15 minutes in goal.

Luke Smith then made it five with a wonderful curling effort after cutting in from the right hand side, finding the top corner.

Possibly the best goal of his career..... and he made sure to let this admin know.

Town then ran riot in the dying moments as both Josh Winder and Leighton Hewitt bagged from close range to ensure Town ran out 7-0 winners and book their place in the Sunday's final.

For the game's second game, Workington won their second 24/25 pre-season match in a tidy and solid 4-0 victory over a battling Coppull United side.

The first two goals were stabbed home from close range with the second being a bullet header from a Workington forward.

The third was added in the second half by a spectacular volley from 25 yards out which nestled in the top left corner.

In the latter stages, A Workington attacker stepped up for a free kick and delightfully dinked it over the wall and into the back of the net to complete the rout.

We'd like to thank both sides for coming over for the Saturday games and wish them well for the upcoming season.

In Sunday's first match, Fulwood Amateurs snatched third place after turning over Clitheroe.

Striker Spencer Lucas scored four as the Ammies won 8-0 over the young Blues' side.

Former Town players Jonty McDonald and Aaron Hewitt also bagged a brace each to finish Clitheroe's time in PR3 off.

In the Tournament's final, Town faced off against a strong Bamber Bridge side.

Town started the match brightly and with intent, but the floodgates soon opened

Town goalkeeper Gidley made a smart top inside ten minutes to deny an advancing forward, but it all fell apart once Tom McCann had to come off due to injury following a late challenge.

He was replaced by a trialist.

Brig then entered half time 4-0 up courtesy of some clinical finishing, three headers and one square ball tapped in.

Just seven minutes into the second half, another square ball was tapped in, this time into the roof of the net.

Two more good finishes late on handed the visitors a 7-0 victory... just the 15 goals on the final day of the tournament to enjoy for the neutrals.

With the final whistle, Bamber Bridge were confirmed as this year's George Melling Tournament winners.

A great weekend of football that raised serious money for a very worthy cause in The Motor Neurone Disease Association which focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by motor neurone disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you couldn't make it and would still like to help donate towards research and the MND association you can do so here: https://www.mndassociation.org/

We hope that we did George proud and will always remember him and his impact.

We are back in action on Saturday 13th July when we host EFL side Morecambe.

A big game that we are very much looking forward to.

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