Longridge travelled to Bury to face Manchester League Club Elton Vale FC, to complete last weeks postponed fixture in the First Round of the LFA Shield.

Manager Lee Ashcroft gave starts to the returning Danny Wilkinson and Stuart Vasey, reverting to a 4-4-2 formation with Murphy and Linighan playing at full back, and Ryan Charnley on the opposite flank to young Matty Bulcock.

On an excellent surface Town started the brighter, looking much sharper than in their last game against Garstang. The experienced front two of Ashcroft and Vasey were linking well, and Ashey was unfortunate to see his insticntive lob fall short after only 4 minutes.

Vale looked a big, strong side and were working hard to close Town down but Longridge were moving the ball well, with Charnley prominent in the opening stages, almost finding Vasey in behind the Vale back line.

Vasey then saw his goalbound header tipped over the bar, before Murphy saw his powerful shot saved after a 30 yard run.

The first goal came on 23 minutes as Ashcroft rounded the keeper, only to be brought down in front of an open goal. No card was shown, but it was immaterial as 'The Gaffer' got to his feet and planted a right footed shot high into the net. 1-0 to Longridge.

That first goal was vital, and Town were playing some of their best football of the season with Wilkinson and Halliwell pulling the strings in central midfield.

Vasey got the second goal after 36 minutes, rising highest to head home Ryan Charnley's excellent corner at the far post. 2-0 to Town and it was going to be an uphill struggle for the Home side now.

Half Time came with no further goals, and Town were applauded off by a strong traveling support who had enjoyed a great 45 minutes of football.

There were no changes at half time and Vale came out looking to get back into the game, with Lee Dovey forced into a fantastic save low down to his left to preserve the two goal lead for Longridge.

Vasey then headed against the bar from another Charnley corner, before the two combined again on 56 minutes only to see Ryan's shot fly just over the bar.

This was a flatter spell for Town however, with Captain George Mellimg imploring his men to raise their game back to the level of the 1st Half.

Dovey saved again, and Halliwell shot wide from distance, before Jordan Tucker saw his header cleared off the line.

Ashey sensed that things needed livening up and, in the space of 5 minutes, three substitutions were made with Mitch Newsham, Joey Mullen and 16 year old Josh Gilmour replacing Ashcroft, a limping Charnley, and Matty Bulcock.

This fresh injection of pace was to go a long way to cementing the victory, with Newsham in particular having an impact.

With 10 minutes remaining Danny Wilkinson broke from midfield to fire a right footed shot past the keeper from 20 yards to make the game safe. 3-0 to Longridge.

Vale visibly wilted and just 60 seconds later Newsham added a fourth, finishing neatly after good work by Gilmour. 4-0 with 8 minutes remaining.

Alex Murphy, who along with his fellow fullback Linighan had an excellent game, then drove forward firing in a shot that was cleverly finished by Vasey into the bottom corner of the net. 5-0, and the scoreline did not flatter Town who had been excellent.

After 4 minutes of time added on the Referee blew for Full Time, and Town had safely progressed to the 2nd Round of the LFA Shield.

After the game Ashey was quick to praise his side, '' I had a feeling we were going to be OK when we arrived on the coach, it looked a good set up, an excellent playing surface and a nice wide pitch which suited us down to the ground to be honest.''

''They are a big strong side with a couple of experienced lads who have played at a higher level of Non League football, and first and foremost we had to tire them out a little by just keeping the ball.''

'' Stu (Vasey) obviously made a difference for us up front, and i thought both full backs had good games considering both Conor and Murph play Centre Midfield normally. The clean sheet completed a perfect day for us really, and i thought the first 45 minutes was the best we've played all season.''

Town return to League action next Saturady as they travel to Southport Hesketh, witha 3pm Kick Off scheduled,