Ladybridge v Chadderton Reds

On arguably the sunniest day of the year and on a good surface, we welcomed Chadderton Reds to our Tempest Road home.  We suffered our only defeat this season to Chaddy in late October.  We had James Y missing from the squad through other footballing commitments and we started the game with Ollie and Josh on the bench.  Chaddy started the game quickly and forced an early corner, which Ladybridge managed to clear.  Soon after this Chaddy were awarded a free kick 30 yards out and again Ladybridge just managed to clear the ball from the box.  The first offensive move for Ladybridge came down the left flank when Cole managed to get past a couple of defenders but his shot went high and wide of the goal.  Ladybridge also had another opportunity to open the scoring soon after when the Chaddy keeper struggled to hold on to a cross and Taylor just headed over.  Chaddy were unfortunate not to take the lead when their striker made a great run into the heart of the Ladybridge area only to see his shot blocked superbly by Caleb on the stretch.  The first goal of the game came from the visitors when a good throw in found the Chaddy No 9 with time to pick out his striking colleague with a slide rule pass and he slotted his shot wide of Conor to make it 1-0 to Chaddy.

Caleb was replaced by Josh with ten minutes to go through injury. Ladybridge were to concede again before half time when after sustained pressure and possession in the Ladybridge half a Chaddy player found he had enough time and space in the box and he drilled home from 10 yards out to make it Chaddy 2-0. They could have made it three just before the break but a superb last ditch challenge from Sam thwarted the Chaddy player before he could take the shot.

Half Time 2-0 to Chadderton Reds.

Chaddy certainly started the 2nd half as they finished the 1st and to be honest I haven't witnessed a team dominate and totally over run us as we were for the next 35mins of play.  The first goal of the half would be crucial and if, and its a big if, Ladybridge had got it, maybe we could have got back into the game, unfortunately it wasn't to be and Chaddy would score four unanswered goals in the 2nd half.  Their first goal was scored by their No 10 (I think) who gathered the ball well 30 yards out and he lifted a speculative effort high towards the goal and it dipped over Conor's crossbar to make it 3-0 to Chaddy.  Their fourth goal came from a penalty kick after Sam handled in the area and the Chaddy No 4 powered home from the spot with an unstoppable drive high and right of Conor to make it 4-0 Chaddy.  The No 4 was also instrumental in the next goal when he crossed into the Ladybridge area and his ball found a Chaddy striker lurking by the left hand post and he slotted home to make it 5-0 Chaddy. Ladybridge only mounted one serious effort all half when James had a shot come cross gathered well by the Chaddy keeper.  The last goal of the game came when their No 3 turned the Ladybridge defence well and he unleashed a cracking shot high and to the left of Conor to make it 6-0 to Chadderton Reds.

Chadderton Reds gave Ladybridge a bit of a footballing lesson this afternoon and inflicted, I think, our worst defeat that I can ever recall on us. Defensively and offensively Chadderton today were performing on a different level to us and thoroughly deserved their victory and completed the league double over us to boot.  Well done to all at Chaddy Reds you were different class today!

Well I've reported on many matches where we've totally dominated and beat teams with similar scores and today we all have experienced how it feels to be on the wrong end of a result. Collectively, we need to put this defeat behind us, lick our wounds and hopefully learn from it and bounce back in a positive manner as all good teams do.

We now have a two week gap until our next fixture when we'll be hosting the current league leaders Hough End Griffins.

Gordon

Heyside JFC v Ladybridge

It was a clear and bright morning as Ladybridge travelled to Heyside for their first league fixture in nearly a month.  The pitch was extremely challenging for both teams, as it resembled a bog in patches.  Ladybridge had 13 players available with Caleb missing through injury.  It was a scrappy opening 10mins with both teams struggling to put together any meaningful offensive moves.  Heyside forced two corners that were dealt with and cleared well by the Ladybridge defence.  The first goal came about after some lively work by Josh in midfield who released Cole down the left and his cross across the box was met smartly by Dion advancing into the box and he slid a low drive past the Heyside keeper to make it 1-0 to Ladybridge.

Slowly but surely Ladybridge enjoyed long periods of offensive pressure with Cole and Dion looking dangerous down the flanks. The next meaningful effort on goal came from Cole driving a shot in from 25 yards out on the left that was saved well by the Heyside keeper.  Josh was also unlucky not to get on the score-sheet when he made a jinking 30 yard run on goal only to see his shot saved well. Heyside had a late effort to draw level when one of their forwards tested Conor with a low drive across him that he just managed to get a hand on which was cleared to safety by a Ladybridge defender.

HT Heyside 0-1 Ladybridge.

Ladybridge started the 2nd half with real purpose and it was noticable that the players’ communication, passing and movement were much improved from their 1st half display.  Ollie started the move for Ladybridge’s 2nd goal when he made a good run down the left and on the edge of the box he turned a Heyside defender and crossed to find Taylor in the box and he tapped his shot home to make it 2-0 to Ladybridge.

Shortly after this goal, Ollie provided a lovely weighted pass into Taylor who advanced into the area only to be stopped by a superb last gasp challenge from a Heyside defender.  Ollie produced a fine cross from the left for Ladybridge's third goal when he found James Y in space by the left hand post and he made no mistake from close range to make it 3-0 to Ladybridge.

Midway through the half the Heyside keeper pulled off a couple of brilliant stops from great crosses by both Dion and Ollie.  Heyside were restricted to one meaningful effort in the 2nd half when their No 7 and No 9 combined well to threaten the Ladybridge goal but the No 9 pushed the eventual shot wide of Conor.  The last 10 minutes of the game would prove to be the most productive period of the game for Ladybridge as they added the last three goals of the game. The first of these goals came after Cole advanced forward down the left and was tackled well by a Heyside defender only for the loose ball to find Tom unleash one of his 25 yard specials past the keeper.  4-0 Ladybridge.

The fifth goal was scored by Taylor who latched on to a long clearance forward from the Ladybridge defence and he chipped the keeper to find the back of the net. 5-0 Ladybridge.

The last goal of the game came as Taylor completed his hat-trick when Ollie's pin point cross from the left was helped in by Taylor to make the final score 6-0 Ladybridge.

Heyside competed and battled well in the first half and I thought that their coaches would have been happy only to be a goal down at the break.  The Heyside keeper's performance in the 2nd half was as good as any I have witnessed this season and although Ladybridge may have scored five in the 2nd half I feel it could have been double that figure without his excellent work throughout the 2nd period.

This was a game of two contrasting halves for Ladybridge.  The first half was difficult as I felt we struggled to adapt to the tough playing conditions.  The 2nd half however was a complete transformation with all the players passing and moving well for one another.  The other major plus point for me was how effective the boys communication with one another was, which helped us dominate our opposition pretty much for the whole of the 2nd half.

Our next 6 League fixtures are going to be a real test of our League ambitions as all of them are against top 6 opposition. The first of these fixtures next Sunday is against the only team to beat us in the League this season - Chadderton Reds.  I'm sure they'll be very keen to try and complete the "double" over us.

Gordon

Ladybridge v Glossop NE

For the opposition match report go to http://glossopnorthendjuniors.co.uk/

Lytham Juniors (Maroons) v Ladybridge LFA U13 Youth Cup Final

It’s not been a straight-forward route to the final with Ladybridge enduring a penalty shoot out to win through a tight semi-final against Westhoughton Rangers back in January. Having been successful last season in winning the U12 LFA Cup could the boys continue the winning habit in this final at the U13 level? 

I spotted Lytham arriving in style in a very smart red double decker bus filled to capacity with their team and enthusiastic support.  Having trawled through "t’internet" for info on our opposition I wasn't surprised to find that Lytham came into this game with some excellent form behind them.  Flying high in their league and progressing well in the Hogan Cup this was a team that was used to winning.  The weather was set fair and the pitch at LFA HQ in Leyland was presented in immaculate condition for both teams.  A couple of our lads were carrying knocks and Neil had 13 players available to him for the game. It was also nice to see James Y, a team member who is cup tied and former player Tyler in the stands supporting the lads.

Ollie and Josh started on the bench.  I think our experience last season on this ground certainly helped us in the opening exchanges of the game as Ladybridge enjoyed greater possession and territory. Cole down the left was looking like he really fancied it this evening.  The first goal came after a slick move when James found our danger man Cole free on the left and he ran into the area and buried his shot low and hard past the keeper into the bottom left hand corner.  Ladybridge 1-0. 

This early goal certainly woke up Lytham and they promptly advanced themselves up the pitch and had a snap shot just go wide.  Ladybridge continued to dominate proceedings and the best move of the half by either team was started down the Ladybridge right that found Dion in space and he whipped a beautiful cross into the box that James met with a bullet header which the keeper somehow managed to parry over the bar, it really was a top drawer save.  Lytham started to settle in the latter stages of the half and a throw in found one of their forwards advancing, but his shot skewed wide into the side netting and shortly after this effort they had another shot from 25yards out that sailed over the bar.  Ladybridge had further opportunities to extend their lead and the best of these started with Caleb finding Dion with a sliderule pass and his cross into the box found Taylors head but once again the keeper made another smart stop.  Half Time Ladybridge 1-0 Lytham

Ladybridge started the 2nd half as they did the 1st and early pressure came after a couple of minutes when Ladybridge forced an early corner that Lytham cleared well.  James was also unfortunate when he made a lung busting 70yard run to finish with a weak shot wide.  The Lytham No 7 looked lively early in the half and he made a nice run on goal only to see his shot saved well by Conor.  Ollie came on for Tom after about 10mins.  The game was ebbing and flowing well in the middle of the half and our Captain Ben was tireless battling in the centre of midfield to good effect.  Josh came on for Taylor.  The next opportunity for Ladybridge started with a pass from Ollie on to Cole who just shot wide.  Lytham then had a superb chance to equalize when their No 19 found their No 7 in space with a lovely pass and Ladybridge breathed a huge sigh of relief when this just went over the bar.  Ladybridge often score after a scare like this and it happened again when Cole was found in space down the left and he promptly advanced towards goal and again he smashed an unstoppable effort past the Lytham keeper to make it Ladybridge 2-0.  This lead was no more than the lads deserved considering the amount of possession we'd enjoyed throughout the game. Lytham however were never out of the game and Conor was not to enjoy a clean sheet this evening when Lytham were awarded a free kick on the left on the edge of the box and their No 19 stepped up and looped a ball into the top left hand corner which Conor could only help in.  Ladybridge 2-1.  Game on. 

Lytham had about 7 or 8 minutes left to try and force an equalizer and their coaches and support certainly let them know about it.  Ladybridge's defensive qualities were now called into question by waves of Lytham pressure but our defensive quartet were not in any mood to let anything or anyone get by them and Ladybridge managed to hold out for a 2-1 victory.

Lytham are a good team who certainly tested us today and I thought that their coaches and support were excellent, encouraging their team throughout the match in the best traditions of the game. The goalkeeper was their stand out player this evening and his save from James’ point blank header in the first half was different class!  Ladybridge wish them all the best for the rest of their season.

Ladybridge deserved to win today.  It was never going to be an easy game and although the last ten minutes was testing I felt we were pretty dominant in the other 60.  Every player contributed and played his part in this game and to come through and win this competition that started back in September with over 80 teams in the 1st round, is a testament to good coaching and a very determined bunch of lads.  Your coaches and supporters salute you  - well done

There will be no report for the Ladybridge v Glossop NE match on Sunday 11th March as the reporter could not attend the game.

Gordon

Ladybridge v Curzon Ashton (Tameside Challenge Cup Quarter Final)

This tie was originally a home fixture for Ladybridge but due to a waterlogged pitch at our Tempest Road ground our opposition agreed to switch to their pitch which was available and fit to play on.  The game was played in dark, dank and windy conditions. Ladybridge had Patrick, Ollie and James Y available on the bench with Sam missing through injury (tight hamstring - get well soon).  Ladybridge started the first half well and forced CA back frequently with Cole making some good runs down the left with crosses into the box that their keeper did well to deal with.  Ladybridge continued to press forward and were unlucky not to take the lead when a free kick from 30 yards out taken by Caleb just sailed over the bar.  The first goal was scored by Ladybridge when another smart run and cross down the left by Cole was only cleared by the CA defence out to Tom in an advanced position and he lifted the ball high above the despairing keeper to make it 1-0 to Ladybridge.  Further pressure from Ladybridge in the next 10mins of the game saw efforts from Tom and James dealt with well by the defence and keeper respectively.  The final goal action of the half was to come from a weak clearance from the CA defence that found Cole on the edge of the box and he took this clearance in his stride to stroke home a lovely effort past the CA keeper to make it 2-0 to Ladybridge at half time.

I can't be sure what the CA coaching staff said or changed at half time but CA came out with a real purpose to their play and enjoyed more possession and territory in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half than they did in all of the 1st.  So it was no surprise that CA opened the scoring with some battling work by their midfield players who managed to split the Ladybridge defence and find a CA player in space and he unleashed an unstoppable drive over Conor to make it 2-1.  Ladybridge started to get more of a foothold into the half after the goal and Cole was unlucky to see his free kick from 30 yards out go just over the bar.  The 2nd half was becoming a real midfield battle and both teams enjoyed good possession and territory.  CA were most unfortunate not to draw level when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Ladybridge box but the resulting effort from the kick hit the crossbar.  Our last few games have been tight affairs and often we've managed to score the vital goal at the right time to secure the game for us and it was to prove the case again this afternoon.  The move leading up to the Ladybridge goal was text book passing football that found James Y in space down the left hand side and his pin point pass to Dion was delivered into the heart of the CA box with real precision to find Cole free and he made no mistake slotting the ball home to make it 3-1 to Ladybridge.

Full Time - Curzon Ashton 1-3 Ladybridge

CA where a Jekyll and Hyde team today that saw a poor first half turned around completely with a real battling and effective effort in the 2nd.  However, I thought their keeper was consistently good in both halves and his performance in the 1st particularly certainly helped to restrict Ladybridge to a two goal advantage.  A big thank you to all at Curzon Ashton for getting this game played today, it’s very much appreciated by all at Ladybridge.  Good luck to you all for the rest of the season.

Ladybridge will have benefitted greatly from actually getting this Cup-tie in today rather than a postponement before our biggest game of the season so far when we face Lytham Juniors (Maroons) in the Lancashire Youth Cup Final at Leyland.  A fairly comfortable first half was contrasted with a real test in the 2nd that saw us complete a tricky win against good opposition - well done lads.

Next Fixture LFA Youth Cup Final Friday night 7pm at Leyland FC. All supporters welcome. No preview required from me........

Gordon