LEPSFL - LEP Sunday Football League News

It\'s all happening at Lostock St Gerards

2012-05-12

Lostock St Gerards FC is holding a football weekend at their Wateringpool Lane ground on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 2012.

There will be two separate men�s 5-a-side competitions on Saturday and Sunday plus a Bouncy Castle, Barbeque and Licenced Bar, everything in fact for a good family weekend.

For more information or to enter the football competitions, contact Chris Bridgett

Lostock Hall FC is holding an EVENING WITH ERIC BRISTOW at the club on Thursday 14 June at 7.00 for a 7.30 start.

Eamonn McNamara.

AFC Lostock Hall clinch premier runners up spot

2012-05-11

AFC Lostock Hall secretary Barry Roberts (left) congratulates David Hayes.

Greenlands may well have won the league title at a canter but the race for runners up spot went right down to wire.

The final two games in the premier division were played last night (Thursday 10 May) and three of the teams, Acregate Lane LC, AFC Lostock Hall and New Farington House could have finished in second place.

AFC Lostock were in the driving seat as they only needed a point and they got it by beating New Farington 5-0 at Tardy Gate with goals from Lewis Wilkinson (3), Chris Hornby & manager David Hayes who scored with a header after coming on as substitute. David has now hung up his boots after 16 years� service to the Lostock Hall outfit.

Acregate Lane LC wrapped up their season in style by beating Cadley 7-1 with goals from Nick Ormson, Anthony Rutlidge, Lee Worden and 4 from Rob Graham bringing his total to 16 for the season.

Acregate's run in saw them winning eight and drawing two of their final ten games but the damage was done with some poor returns in mid-season and that inconsistency left them chasing the pack once again.

Eamonn McNamara.

Guild Cup reaches the quarter-final stage

2012-05-09

Leyland United FC (blue) v AFC Lostock Hall - Guild Cup 3rd Round

The first 56 games of the 2012 Guild Cup Competition have been completed and there will now be a summer break before the quarter-final games are played in August.

The surprise package in the competition has to be the holders Forrest Arms FC who have beaten two Preston & District League (P&DL) premier division sides. Their squad contains no less than nine of the players who played in the 1992 Guild Cup Final and all nine have featured in games either in the starting line up or coming on as substitute.

Preston & District premier division champions Leyland United FC beat AFC Lostock Hall 2-1 in an excellent encounter at Moss Side and they will now face Adelphi FC (P&DL). Blessed Sacrament who finished 4th the P&DL premier division will meet our division 1 champions Plungington Celtic whilst Fulwood Amateurs FC (WLL) have a home tie against Penwortham Town.

There is certainly no easy passage for the Forrest Arms lads, they face another P&DL side Walmer Bridge who ended the season as runners up in division 2.

Guild Cup 2012 - Third Round Results :

Fulwood Amateurs (WLL)	1-0	Lostock St Gerards (WLL)
Blessed Sacrament	5-3	Bamber Bridge Vets
Plungington Celtic	5-4	AC Muldoons
Forrest Arms	6-2	Hoole United
Preston City	2-3	Walmer Bridge
Preston South End	1-2	Penwortham, Town
Adelphi	4-2	Goosnargh Village
Leyland United	2-1	AFC Lostock Hall

The draw for the quarter-finals is as follows;

Blessed Sacrament	v	Plungington Celtic
Adelphi	v	Leyland United
Walmer Bridge	v	Forrest Arms
Fulwood Amateurs	v	Penwortham Town

These games are provisionally scheduled to be played on Tuesday 21 August 2012.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

Barry Haughey says thank you

2012-05-07

Former League Secretary Barry Haughey who stood down from the League Management Committee last September was presented with a complimentary �Day out at Ripon Races� at the October meeting to mark his sterling service to the League.

Barry has been connected with the LEP Sunday League since the 80s through Theatre Boys FC and he actually scored in his first ever game for the club v New Eccleston on 30 October 1988. He later became the official club linesman before turning to refereeing at the start of 1996-97 season.

He was elected to serve on the League management committee in 2001 as Registration Secretary and he became League Secretary in 2004 with the added responsibility of being the League�s Insurance Co-ordinator and he fulfilled these duties until his retirement.

Barry wrote to thank the League and member clubs for his day out last month and said, � I write to say thank you to all the clubs for the Hospitality Day at Ripon races; I took my friend Sarah along with me. The box was lovely and the service excellent, we had a few winners which was lucky as the results did spring a few surprises.

There was a bit of sadness in the last race when "Arry's Horse" had a heart attack in the home straight and we were both near to tears, she because she's soppy and me because I'd backed it�.

Good to see that Barry hasn�t lost his sense of humour.

Eamonn McNamara.

Forrest Arms roll back the years to progress in the Guild Cup

2012-05-05

Forrest Arms FC prior to their Guild Cup game against Baxters FC

The all-conquering Forrest Arms team of the late 80s and 90s who won League Titles, Challenge Cups, LFA Sunday Trophies (4 times) and the 1992 Guild Cup Competition decided to reform some twenty years on and have won their way through to third round of the 2012 competition.

OK, so there is the added inch here and there around some waists and some hair styles have changed over the last two decades, but the enthusiasm and thirst for success remains as strong as ever.

The Longridge heroes kicked off their bid to retain the Guild Cup with a testing tie against Preston & District League premier division side Baxters FC and they raced to an early lead after just 5 minutes when Graham �Patch� Dewhurst blasted in a 25 yard free kick.

Baxters skipper Michael Botes equalised on 20 minutes before Owen Brunton restored the Forrest lead with from a 35 yard free kick.

Additional Forrest goals came from Kieran Walmsley, Joe Melling and Ian Young whilst action man Anthony Connolly grabbed a second for Baxters to make the final score 5-2. The holders now face another Preston & District League premier division side Hoole United at Mardale Rd, Longridge in the third round next Tuesday 8th May, kick off 7.00pm.

Forrest manager Joe Dewhurst was delighted with the result and said, �Nine of the 1992 cup winning team played and all of them are over 40. They were magnificent�. Joe also thanked Longridge Town FC for allowing them to play on their pitch and also the landlord of the Forrest pub for providing a curry for both teams and spectators after the game.

The Forrest Arms team photo;
Back row (left - right)
Joe Dewhurst (Manager), Andrew Birkbeck, Ian Young, Dave Young, Andy Holden, Tony Butterworth, Graham Dewhurst, Paul Dinsdale.

Front row (left - right)
Ian Smith, Steve Young, Mick Crabbe, Stuart Wilcock, Rob Hamilton, Jack Dinsdale.

Those highlighted played in the 1992 Guild Cup Final. Jack Dinsdale, who was the 1992 mascot, is now 6� 2� and is probably ineligible for the role in this year�s competition.

Report by Eamonn McNamara with photos by Ian Thompson.

Super Penwortham United win the Challenge Cup

2012-05-03

Penwortham United celebrate winning the Challenge Cup

Penwortham United from division 3 wrote themselves into the League record books tonight when they beat cup kings AFC Lostock Hall 2-1 after extra time to lift the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup.

Even though they comprehensively beat premier division Ingol Rangers 5-2 in the semi-final, few people gave the Penwortham lads a chance against an AFC Lostock Hall side who have dominated in this league for the past decade winning the Challenge Cup four times, the League three times and twice being the Sunday champions of Lancashire.

But United�s manager Liam Molyneux and his assistant Martin Airey have produced a side strong on skill and discipline and who can run all day long. Most of them have been together through the Mid Lancs Colts League, the Central Lancs Junior League, the LEP Sunday League youth section and this is there second season with the adults. And just for the record this was their 26th game of the season and they have won 24 and drawn the other two.

A beautiful May evening, perfect conditions at the County Ground and a decent crowd of over 350 augured well an exciting final and the deadlock was nearly broken in the first 30 seconds when Penwortham�s Dan France found space in the area but his shot was brilliantly smothered by Kev Nutter in the Lostock goal.

It was all Penwortham in the early stages and they took the lead in the 8th minute when Rob Lawrenson�s corner found its way to Dan France who rifled home from 12 yards. Both sides were having plenty of possession and the impressive Louie Wilkinson almost bagged an equaliser when his 25 yards drive was tipped onto the bar by United�s keeper Dan Cryer.

Half time came and went with the prolific Andrew Taylor looking dangerous for Penwortham and Louie Wilkinson going close for Lostock. Kev Nutter was on top form in the Lostock goal and he needed to be as he came flying out to the edge of his area to bravely clear from two oncoming forwards.

Then Penwortham�s Andrew Stammers cut in from the left and hit a fierce drive which Nutter did well to parry but Andrew Taylor blasted the clearance wide.

AFC Lostock levelled matters in the 74th minute from a corner when the pressure from the busy Wilkinson resulted in a Penwortham defender turning the ball into his own net. The goal gave Lostock some much needed impetus and John Sanderson had a chance to win it for them late on but he shot wide.

Five minutes into extra time came the goal that decided the tie. A loose clearance from a Lostock defender found its way to substitute Ryan Salisbury who blasted it into the net. Penwortham finished the game stronger and they had further chances through Luke Berry and Rob Lawrenson but they didn�t need them.

Referee Rob Walsh and his assistants Michael Crompton, David Shaw and Cliff Trickett contributed with excellent performances and it was particularly pleasing to see the AFC Lostock Hall players and management congratulating every one of their opponents.

The Man-of-the-Match Liam Sealey of Penwortham United received his award from Ged Carberry, whilst Jenny Carberry of Bodylines presented the medals to the players and Julian Pendleton of Chorley Group presented the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup to Troy Carsley, captain of Penwortham United FC.

Report and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

AC Muldoons and Preston Town merge into Preston Muldoons

2012-05-03

Mark Wilkinson (left) and Dean Crossen shake on their merger

Two of the senior clubs in the league, AC Muldoons FC and Preston Town FC have decided to merge and the new club will be known as Preston Muldoons from the start of next season.

AC Muldoons managed by Dean Crossen finished in fifth place in division 1 whilst Preston Town managed by Mark Wilkinson had a disappointing season finishing bottom of the premier division and would have been relegated into division 1.

The new club will start the season in division 1 and will continue playing at the UCLAN Sports Arena. Their new club logo was designed by Syndicate Trust Chairman Ged Carberry and Ged would be happy to assist member clubs with the design or redesign of their club logos.

Dean Crossen who will manage the new outfit assisted by Mark Eastwood and Mark Wilkinson said, �The two clubs are based at Muldoons and we have been in discussions about a merger for some time. We both felt that the time was right to go ahead and we are looking forward to making an impact in the division next season�.

Eamonn McNamara.

Preston Referees climb the promotion ladder

2012-05-02

(l-r) Andy Sykes, James Shepherd, Keith Martin, Michael Crompton, Richard Aspinall & Richard Holmes

Six Preston referees are celebrating their promotions to Level 3 and Level 4 on the highly competitive referees� promotion ladder.

Richard Holmes who is secretary of Preston Referees Society has been promoted to Level 3 and will be eligible to referee at contributory level on the North West Counties League and the Evo-stick Northern Premier League.

A total of seven referees were promoted to Level 4 in the County of Lancashire and no less than five of them, Andy Sykes, James Shepherd, Keith Martin, Michael Crompton and Richard Aspinall are members of Preston Referees Society. These referees will now officiate on the West Lancashire League, Lancashire League and North West Counties division 1.

Furthermore, all six referees officiate on the Lancashire Evening Post Sunday League on a regular basis.

Eamonn McNamara, Chairman of Preston Referees Society and President of the LEP Sunday League said, �I am absolutely delighted for these six first class officials, they have worked hard during the season and they fully deserve their promotions. It is also interesting to note that they are all members of Preston Referees Society and they regularly attend Society meetings�.

Challenge Cup Final - Thursday 3 May at the County Ground

2012-04-30

AFC Lostock Hall (left) and Penwortham United FC

The Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup Final AFC Lostock Hall v Penwortham United FC at the County Ground, Leyland on Thursday 3 May (kick off 7.00pm) is the show piece game of the season and there is an added spice to this year�s clash.

Premier division AFC Lostock Hall will be aiming to lift the trophy for the fifth time in the last six years having won it in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Their route to the final has seen them overcome Canaries, Lea and Greenlands before beating New Farington House in a penalty shootout after extra time in an epic semi-final. They are on course to finish runners up in the premier division this season.

Standing in their way is Penwortham United from division 3 who are part of Penwortham Town FC set up and they have played together all through the Central Lancs Junior League, the LEP Youth League and this is their second in the adult section of the League.

On their journey to the final they have beaten Preston Sector, Theatre Boys, AFC Ashwood, Euxton Corinthians and premier division Ingol Rangers who they beat 5-2 in a terrific semi-final. They have a lethal goal scorer in Andy Taylor who has netted 46 goals and six other players have reached double figures so there is plenty of fire power there.

Penwortham United have played 25 games in all competitions this season, winning 23 and drawing the other two and they finished the season as champions of division 3.

Will the experience of AFC Lostock Hall prevail or will Penwortham United from division 3 win the day.

Only one way to find out��get down to the County Ground on Thursday for a 7.00pm kick off.

Eamonn McNamara.

Lucas cheques in for Derian House

2012-04-29

Lucas Gornall presents the cheque for �1,606.99 to Roya Khadem of Derian House

Lucas Gornall (aged 7) had the important task of presenting the League�s donation of �1,606.99 to Roya Khadem of Derian House Children�s Hospice watched by members of the successful Penwortham United team.

This is the ninth season that Derian House has been the League�s adopted charity and to date the League�s clubs have raised �24,364.19 for the Hospice.

Penwortham United is part of the Penwortham Town FC which is one of the largest clubs in the area with over 20 teams playing in four different Leagues. Midfielder Lucas plays for the under-7s team managed by his dad Doug and they play in the Mid Lancs Colts League.

The club has just won the LEP Sunday League Division 3 title and will face premier division giants AFC Lostock Hall in the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup Final at the County Ground, Leyland on Thursday 3 May, kick off 7.00pm.

League President Eamonn McNamara said, "Once again our clubs have risen to the occasion by raising this money for Derian House. We feel that it is important that we put something back into the community in which we operate".

Euxton Villa AFC have their eyes on the Double

2012-04-29

Youth Division 1 (Red) leaders Euxton Villa AFC

Youth Cup winners Euxton Villa AFC have their eyes on a league and cup double after beating their closest rivals Garstang 3-1 this morning. The youth division 1 (red) leaders have 43 points with two games remaining and second placed Garstang who also have two games left are three points behind after this morning�s set back. Tarleton Corinthians A won 7-3 at Charnock Richard AFC and Thornton Cleveleys won 5-1 at Fishwick Rangers.

The battle for runners up spot in the premier division continued this morning with all three contenders in action, AFC Lostock are probably still favourites in spite for being beaten 4-2 by New Meadow St at Penwortham Holme, They have 43 points with one game left against New Farington House on 10th May.

Acregate Lane LC are a point behind them after beating Preston City 8-3 and they meet Cadley in their final game next Sunday. New Farington House are the third team in the equation and they had a comfortable 6-1 win over Preston Town at a wet and windy UCLAN Sports Arena.

New Farington raced into an 8th minute lead through Ryan Broomhead and Danny Morris scored on 37 minutes to give them a 2-0 lead at half time. Second half strikes from Rick Jones, Kurt Johnson, Martin McCubbin and Ash Ball means that the club has 34 points from 18 games and it could all go down to that final game against AFC Lostock on 10 May.

AC Muldoons wrapped up their season in division 1 with a 2-1 win at AFC Ashwood and AFC Brigg finished the season in third place after beating Wrea Green 1-0. Lea were beaten 4-3 by AFC Ingol who won eight of their final nine games but an indifferent mid season meant they finished fourth. Draw specialists Theatre Boys predictably ended their season by drawing 2-2 with Station East End.

Division 2 leaders London Victoria finished their excellent season with 1-0 home win against third placed Lostock Hall thanks to an Aaron Vanilavicius strike and they are ready to take their place in division 2. Whether they finish as champions or runners up will depend on Euxton Corinthians final game against Vernon Sports on Thursday 3 May. The Euxton lads who beat Worden Rangers today will need to beat Vernons by more than 3 goals.

Challenge Cup finalists Penwortham United beat Gregson Lane comfortably to claim the division 3 title and runners up New Longton Rovers saw off Wilbraham Wanderers 8-0. Tanterton finished the season by beating Wyresdale Rangers 7-4 and by finishing fourth are promoted to division 2 next term.

The final couple of games in division 4 saw runners up Springfields beat Burscough 4-3 and Albrighton beat Warton Typhoons 3-1.

Mill Hill who beat Warton Typhoons today are the champions of youth division 1 (white) and Tarleton Corinthians B are runners up following their 4-2 win over Chorley St Gregory�s. Poulton won 3-2 at Gillibrand to finish third.

Photo and round up by Eamonn McNamara.

Guild Cup Copmpetition Latest

2012-04-29

Well known faces from the Bamber Bridge Vets team who beat Preston Guild in the 2nd Round..

Here is the draw for the Third Round ties (last 16) of the Guild Cup Competition, evening games will kick off at 6.30pm.

Fulwood Amateurs	v	Lostock St. Gerards (WLL) - TBA
Blessed Sacrament	v	Bamber Bridge Vets � Thurs 5 May
Plungington Celtic	v	AFC Muldoons - Tues 1 May
Forrest Arms or Baxters	v	Hoole United - TBA
Preston City	v	Walmer Bridge - Tues 1 May
Penwortham Town	v	Preston South End - Tues 8 May
Adelphi	v	Goosnargh Village � Sat 5 May
Springfield FC ( LEP ) or Leyland United	v	AFC Lostock Hall or Theatre Boys - Tues 8 May

The quarter-final games will be played on Tuesday 14 August 1012, kick off 6.30pm followed by the semi-finals on Monday 27th August, kick off at 6.30pm

The Guild Cup Final will be played at Bamber Bridge FC on Thursday 6th September 2012, kick off at 7.30pm.

Eamonn McNamara.

New Farrington House pay the Penalty

2012-04-25

Joint Managers Nigel Williams (left) and Stephen Broomhead lead their team out for the Final

New Farington House (NFH) were beaten 4-1 on penalties in the final of the LFA Sunday Trophy after the scores were level 1-1 after 90 minutes. The penalty shootout is a fact of life in football and we all know the rules when we enter a competition but let�s face, it is a horrible way to lose any game let alone a major cup final.

New Farington went into the game without the services of regular keeper Paul Howson who was serving a 3 match suspension which should have expired last Sunday and the least said about that the better.

Nevertheless they started the game with defender Neil Halliwell between the posts and he certainly didn�t let them down. They will have known all about Mill Hill, who won the Trophy in 2005, lead the Blackburn Sunday League and knocked out Greenlands in the quarter-finals.

It was all Mill Hill in the early stages with the ball hardly leaving the New Farington half and it came as no surprise when Mark Taylor gave the Blackburn outfit a 10 minute lead from the penalty spot. The Mill Hill fans in the stand were singing �We�re going to win 6-0� and there was something ominous about that.

Martin Savigar had to leave the field injured on 21 minutes to be replaced Curtis Johnson and a minute later Mill Hill had the ball in the net only for it to be correctly ruled offside.

New Farington just couldn�t take control of the game and substitute Johnson had to leave the field after 28 minutes only to return some minutes later with his head heavily bandaged. Craig Boothby came close for NFH on 31 minutes with a diving header which went narrowly wide then Luke Hargreaves hit the bar for Mill Hill with a rasping shot.

The final minutes of the first half saw some concerted attacking from NFH with first Ash Ball then Ryan Broomhead having shots cleared off the line.

I know that it�s a well-worn clich� to say that football is a game of two halves but New Farington took this to extraordinary lengths tonight. Almost anonymous in the first half, they took the game to Mill Hill in the second period and looked a different team all together.

They equalised on the hour when they were awarded a penalty which Martin McCubbin converted. McCubbin then went on a run which saw him beat two opponents, round the keeper on the edge of the area but his cross was wasted by the incoming forward.

Byron Andrew had a chance to put the game to bed on 78 minutes but his header grazed the post and went wide. Then McCubbin was back in action with a great effort which had the keeper beaten but went just over the bar.

And that was that. The dreaded penalty shootout followed with Mill Hill taking the first kick and scoring though Sharples, then Kevin Houghton scored his spot kick before Taylor, Harkness and Shaw scored for Mill Hill with McCubbin and Ball missing their kicks.

This was an excellent advertisement for Sunday football and the large crowd certainly got their monies worth. A word about the 23 year old referee Alan Bennett from Hindley who has just been promoted to Level 3. He was mature beyond his years and he had an excellent game.

The New Farington House players and management team gave it their very best and they did this League proud. It was an outstanding achievement to reach the final of this competition and they will be looking to go one better next term.

Report and photos by Eamonn McNamara.

New Farington�s date with Destiny

2012-04-23

New Farington House FC

New Farington House FC who won the league title last season meet Blackburn Sunday League leaders Mill Hill FC in the final of the Lancashire Sunday Trophy at the County Ground, Leyland on Wednesday 25th April, kick off 7.00pm.

The New Farington lads are aiming to become the seventh different club from this League to win Sunday footballs most glittering prize. They hope to follow in the footsteps of Piper FC who won the Trophy in 1975, Lisieux Hall FC (1981, 1982 & 1984), the legendary Forrest Arms FC (1989,1990,1991 & 1992), Arkwrights FC (2002 & 2007), Ingol Rangers FC (2004) and AFC Lostock Hall winners in 2008 and 2010.

Their opponents Mill Hill FC won the Trophy in 2005 and they currently lead the Blackburn Sunday League on 34 points from New Gardners FC and they are certain to provide stern opposition. Mill Hill�s youth team has just won Youth Division 1 (White) in our Youth Section.

Joint managers Stephen Broomhead and Nigel Williams and the New Farington players will be doing their very best to make this the 14th time that a team from this League has won the Trophy.

We can all help by getting down to the County Ground on Wednesday evening and giving them our support.

Eamonn McNamara.

Mill Hill Win Promotion in Style

2012-04-22

Mill Hill FC - Champions of Youth Division 1 (White)

Mill Hill are celebrating their first season in the League after clinching the Youth Division 1 (White) title in emphatic fashion with a 9-0 victory over their close rivals Poulton. Their cause has been helped in no small way by four players who between them have contributed no less than 119 goals in league and cup.

Top scorer Curtis Gallagher has netted 48 including 3 today, Harrison Parrington has 26 including a hat trick today, Adam Nuttall bagged two this morning to bring his total to 24 and Matthew Feely who has scored 21 didn�t play today.

Manager Neil Burrows and his assistant Dixon Lambert have seen their lads reach the final of the Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy where they lost 2-0 to Tarleton Corinthians and they can now make preparations for life in the Youth Premier Division next term.

The other games in Youth 1 (White) saw Chew Moor Brook and Lostock Hall SC draw 3-3, Chorley St Gregory�s beat Brinscall Village 3-2 and Tarleton Corinthians B won 7-2 at Warton Typhoons.

The race for the Youth Division 1 (Red) title looks like going right to the wire with both Euxton Villa AFC and Garstang on 40 points after 15 games with three games to play. Both won today, Euxton Villa at Burscough Dynamo Green and Garstang at home to Tarleton Corinthians A. The game between third placed Fishwick Rangers and Thornton Cleveleys ended goalless.

The only game played in the Youth Premier Division saw BAC/EE Preston beat Burscough Dynamo 2-1.

AFC Lostock Hall tightened their grip on runners up spot in the Premier Division with a 2-1 win against Preston Town, Greenlands and Acregate Lane drew 3-3 whilst New Meadow St LC and Cadley settled for a 2-2 draw.

Five games in Division 1, Lea claim runners up spot after their 0-0 draw with champions Plungington Celtic, AC Muldoons and Theatre Boys drew 1-1, AFC Brigg won 3-1 at AFC Longridge, Wrea Green�s recovery continued with a 3-2 result at Unicorn and AFC Ashwood remain at the foot of the table following a 4-2 defeat at the hands of AFC Ingol.

Euxton Corinthians kept the pressure on Division 2 leaders London Victoria with a 5-2 win against Walton Athletic at Frenchwood, Lostock Hall beat Penwortham Hill Rovers 3-2, Central United won 5-4 at Eccleston & Heskin and Ashton Villa beat Vernon Sports 3-1.

Division 3 champions Penwortham United won 6-0 at Wyresdale Rangers today and New Longton Rovers are runners up after beating Tanterton 5-3. South Ribble won comfortably against Preston Guild.

Preston South End�s impressive end to the season saw them win their final four games which propelled the club into third place in table; they won 6-3 at St Theresa�s today. Frenchwood and Deepdale Dynamos drew 1-1 whilst Warton Typhoons and Burscough drew 4-4.

Round up by Eamonn McNamara who was unable to provide match photos today.

Last Orders for Tony

2012-04-21

Tony Dilworth gets instructions from Plungington Celtic manager Joe Kelly

Thirty-six years after his first game in the LEP Sunday League, Tony Dilworth made his final appearance when he came on as substitute for his club Plungington Celtic FC in their league match against AFC Longridge at UCLAN Sports Arena on Thursday evening.

Tony, who is the club secretary said, �I just wanted one last run out with the lads. We had won the league title and as there was nothing at stake for either team our manager Joe Kelly put me on for the final 20 minutes�.

Young Dilworth first played in the League for Lisieux Hall FC then managed by the ex-PNE player Les Daggers and later by Les Rigby who was well known in local non-league circles. During his time at Lisieux, Tony won the LFA Sunday Trophy twice, the League title three times as well as three Challenge Cup Finals.

He later played for Sumners who were managed by the late Frank Robinson and he won the Challenge Cup with them as well as the Division 1 title and they reached the final of the LFA Sunday Trophy only to be beaten by Forrest Arms.

His son James played with him in the Lea Rangers team which later became Plungington Celtic and Warren Beattie who is the partner of Tony�s daughter Sarah played in the game at the Arena last Thursday.

Plungington Celtic won the game 9-2 and it was a fitting finale to the career of a great Sunday League man. The last word goes to Tony who said, �I want to thank Joe Kelly, Vinnie Cairns, Cyril Jones our sponsor and all the lads at Plungington Celtic, they are a great bunch and they can�t wait to play in the premier division next season�.

Eamonn McNamara.

Preston Referees Honoured with Major Cup Final Appointments

2012-04-20

Natalie Walker

The Football Association has appointed two Preston referees to officiate at major end of season cup finals.

Natalie Walker, 30, from Walton-le-Dale has been appointed to take charge of the Women�s FA Cup Final on May 26 which will be shown live on Sky Sports.

It�s the latest in a string of honours for the Preston College tutor who officiated at last year�s FIFA Women�s World Cup in Germany. She was an assistant referee during the 2004 Women�s FA Cup final and was fourth official in 2008 - but this is the first time she will take centre stage.

Natalie, who is a Level 3 referee, said: �I got the call on Tuesday morning from the FA and I was totally shocked. �I was not expecting it at all. It�s the highest appointment that the FA can give to a female referee and I can�t wait�.

Natalie is Lancashire�s leading female referee after taking up the whistle at the age of 15. She was promoted to Level 3 last season and has officiated on the Evo-Stik League and Blue Square North this season.

She will be joined on the big day by her family, including dad Billy, a former referee, and husband Richard, who is a Level 5 referee.

Natalie said: �I think we will go down on the Friday where there will be an official meal before the game on the Saturday at 12.15pm. �I�m just going to try to enjoy the whole occasion.�

Birmingham City Ladies will meet either Chelsea or Arsenal in the final on May 26 at Bristol City�s Ashton Gate ground.

Meanwhile another Preston referee Paul Hodskinson from Bamber Bridge has been appointed Assistant Referee in the Carlsberg FA Sunday Trophy Final to be played at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland on Sunday 29th April.

Paul is a Level 2 referee who referees in the Blue Square North League and he is an Assistant Referee on the Football League.

Eamonn McNamara.

Euxton Villa AFC win the Youth Cup after a penalty shootout

2012-04-19

Julian Pendleton presents the Youth Cup to George Liddle of Euxton Villa AFC

Youth Division 1 (Red) leaders Euxton Villa AFC overcame Youth Premier Champions Lostock St Gerards to win the Syndicate Trust Youth Cup at Bamber Bridge FC.

But it took a penalty shootout which Euxton won 4-2 to separate these two excellent sides as the scores were level after 90 minutes and extra time.

After a taught opening half hour the deadlock was broken by Lostock�s Matty Harper who fired his team into the lead on 35 minutes but Euxton were quick to respond and Danny Marland levelled matters five minutes later. Half time came and went and neither side was able to claim an advantage during the second half and with the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes it was down to extra time.

The first period of extra time was marked by the dismissal of Kiran Reddy after a second caution which should have handed the advantage to Euxton Villa. However, as is often the case it was the ten men who seemed to gain momentum and they took the lead for the second time with a Luke Crompton header. The goal sparked Euxton into action and they equalised when Danny Marland grabbed his second and to make it 2-2 and with it the lottery of a penalty shootout which Euxton Villa AFC won 4-2.

Excellent performances by match referee Nathan Charnock and his assistants Mark Atherton, Sam Almond and Martin Thomas contributed to and exciting game.

Julian Pendleton of Chorley Group, Nissan on behalf the Syndicate Trust presented the Youth Cup to Euxton Villa AFC captain George Liddle, the Man of the Match Award to Liam Hunt of Lostock St Gerards and souvenir medals to the players and match officials.

Photos by Ged Carberry.

Eamonn McNamara.