Longridge won a massively hard fought three points against a very hard to break down Litherland REMYCA side.

In a game of few clear cut chances it took a lovely edge of the box finish from Turner to make a breakthrough.

Luke Smith started his first game for over a month after returning from his knee injury that took place in the warm ups against Bury at Gigg Lane.

The game started as it meant to go on, scrappy.

Litherland seemed to be happy letting Longridge have possession of the ball so long as they weren't doing anything with it.

The first real opportunity of note came in the 6th minutes as Mitch Marshall nodded down a goal kick to Scott Harries who looked for the run of Dean Ing but the REMYCA goalkeeper was there to claim it.

The visitors hit back another 6 minutes later when Hamil struck an effort goalwards from 20 yards which Kier Barry chested down before pouncing on.

Around this time Town started to play a bit.

After lovely one-two between McLean and Harries, Scotty looked to flash it into Ing but a Litherland defender was there to slide and cut it out last second.

The theme continued as the Ridge won a free kick on the edge of the area.

Harrison Kay delivered it towards the back post, it caused issues as Ing and Turner both swiped at it but missed.

It was eventually hit over the bar by Wilkinson.

Danny would make up for this however moments later as he brilliantly tidied up a Litherland counter attack.

Barry was called into action just one more time before the break when he held a close range effort brilliantly.

The first notable moment of the second half was a wild one as the Litherland 'keeper came rushing out to clear the legs of Dean Ing despite a REMYCA defender coming away with the ball.

The goalie was booked and Kay stood over the free kick.

The midfielder hit the wall before Luke Smith smashed the rebound over the bar.

McLean attempted to craft an opportunity out of nothing as he surged forward, rounded his man but his cross was once again caught.

Just a couple of minutes later and forward Zach Clark did well to draw a foul from Kenny who ended up booked. It was also lovely work from Ing to chest the long ball down before volleying into Clark's path.

The resulting free kick was headed out by the visitors.

57 minutes in now and Clark and McLean were involved again as the left placed a beautiful cross into Clark but his header was just wide.

Just past the hour mark and Kay looked to give Reynolds his first real test as he rifled it at the bottom left corner from 25 yards but it was another good save to deny him.

Litherland would firm until the 65th minute when Paul Turner connected with a cracking cross from the right hand side to place a well hit shot into the bottom right corner, giving Longridge a well deserved lead.

The Ridge looked to keep the momentum going as Ing drew a foul on the edge of the area that was well spotted by the referee.

Kay struck it into the wall before Smith hit rebound over again.

Just over 15 minutes were left when Leighton Hewitt was brought into the fray by Ashcroft.

Harries looked to get the substitute involved when he poked the ball through the defence to find the youngster whose cross was knocked out for a corner.

Unfortunately once again Longridge couldn't make it count as REMYCA cleared their lines.

Around this time Nugent was sinbinned for Litherland before returning to the pitch ten minutes later.

For the last 10 or so minutes Litherland threatened.

It started with Hamil curling a free kick over the Town wall and just wide.

The visitors would win a couple of corners, the first which Ing would head out.

The second ended up in the net after being played short and crossed but to Town's relief, the flag was raised for offside.

In the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, Longridge hit Litherland with a devastating counter attack when another corner was headed out.

Harries latched onto the loose ball before slotting L.Hewitt in behind and into a one-on-one with a defender trailing closely behind.

Leighton did the man for pace but couldn't finish the game as the goalkeeper Reynolds stood firm to deny him.

However it mattered not as the full time whistle would go moments later to confirm a second win on the bounce for Longridge and their rise into the top 5 of the form table.

The boys were cheered and applauded off by the 197 who came down to support them.

The Ridge are back in action at home when they welcome Manchester's Prestwich Heys on Saturday 14th October for a 3pm kick off at the Recycling Lives Ground.

Pound for the Ground will be making a return as we look to make it 3 in a row as we climb up the table.

As always thanks for the fantastic support, we go again on Saturday.

The Goals

Longridge: Turner (65')

Litherland: N/A

The Teams

Longridge line-up: Barry, Marshall, Olawumi, Wilkinson, McLean, Kay, Harries, Smith (L.Hewitt 73'), Turner, Clark (Booth 62'), Ing

Litherland line-up: Reynolds, Houghton, Kenny, Broe, Foy, Denson, Nugent, Hamil, Corness, Monthe, Taylor