Stalybridge Celtic Blues v Ladybridge Challenge Cup Semi Final

A bright and breezy afternoon greeted both teams in this Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Blocksages.  Ollie and James A started on the bench for Ladybridge. This afternoon's game was played on the most testing pitch that we've encountered this season and as a consequence much of the play today was pretty scrappy to say the least.  Stalybridge started quite brightly and when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out Conor had to be switched on to collect a decent shot from it.  Ladybridge were struggling to create anything offensively during the whole of the first half and the only meaningful effort of note came from a corner taken by Dion, which Taylor flicked on to Tom whose shot just whistled past the left hand post.  The No 31 for Stalybridge was the powerhouse in midfield and his long throws into the box tested us on more than one occasion but fortunately our defensive four managed to thwart this threat without conceding.  The last five minutes of the half had Stalybridge pressing us back looking to open the scoring but we managed to hold firm at the back and at half time it was 0-0.

Ladybridge started the 2nd half a lot better and they were unfortunate not to take an early lead when Matty's free kick released Cole through on goal with just the goalie to beat, but he skewed his shot wide.  A goal for either team could have been scored within the space of a minute when the Stalybridge No 31 put one of his special throw-ins into the box and a Stalybridge forward saw his snap shot hit the underside of the bar.  The Ladybridge defence managed to clear the ball long into Cole up front and in space and again with just the keeper to beat after a strong run he just dragged his effort wide.  The crucial first goal of the game came from an unlikely source in Caleb when the ball came out to him from a corner and from 35 yards out he smashed the ball through a host of players to make it 1-0 Ladybridge. 

We scored again within 2 minutes of this goal when a corner was scrambled home well by Ben to make it 2-0.  

Our last goal of the game came from a speculative long ball forward that Cole managed to bring down and control well and this time he made no mistake to slam his shot past the Stalybridge keeper to make it 3-0 Ladybridge.

Stalybridge got on to the scoresheet through an unfortunate mix up between Caleb and Conor with Caleb deflecting his clearance past Conor to make it 3-1 Ladybridge.

The last five minutes of the half, like the first, were Stalybridge's with the home team piling forward to try and get themselves back into the game. They didn't manage to break down our resolute defensive unit and the game ended 3-1 to Ladybridge.

The heart and soul of the Stalybridge team this afternoon was their No 31 who did not deserve to be on the losing team today.  This player drove his teammates on relentlessly throughout the 70mins and his leadership and sheer force of will on the pitch is the most impressive I've ever witnessed at this level.  Stalybridge as a team, work very hard for each other and for long periods of the match they caused us quite a few problems.

Ladybridge, we mustn't forget, were competing in their fourth game in 7 days in this league with certain members of the team having played a fifth on Saturday for other teams - I'm not too surprised that one or two of them seemed to be

feeling it this afternoon.  Stalybridge proved to be a tough nut to crack but once again our team's efforts were rightly rewarded with another win and an important opportunity to add some more silverware later this month in the Challenge Cup Final against Walshaw Sports.

Well done lads your Coaches and Support salute you!

Gordon

Prestwich Town v Ladybridge (League Cup Qtr Final)

We arrived at Salford City Sports Centre on a slighty overcast but dry evening.  James Y and Ollie started on the bench for Ladybridge.  The first ten minutes of the game was very even with both teams enjoying good periods of possession and territory.  The first real chance of the game saw Tom battle through the middle of the field, only to see his shot saved well by the Prestwich keeper. Cole was then found well down the left wing and his strong cross into the box was just too far in front of Taylor who had made a good run into the box to try and intercept it.  Prestwich's first effort on goal drew a good save out of Conor when the No 17 turned and shot well from the edge of the box.  The first goal of the game came from a Dion corner that Prestwich failed to clear and Sam dispatched his shot high and wide of the keeper to make it 1-0 Ladybridge.

Prestwich nearly equalized when a long ball forward caught Conor out of position and in no mans land but the Prestwich forward was thwarted as he was about to pull the trigger by a fantastic last ditch tackle made by Sam.  Ladybridge could have snatched another couple of goals before half-time when James was unlucky to see his overhead effort just clear the bar and Taylor was denied by an excellent stop from the very impressive Prestwich keeper.

Half Time Prestwich 0-1 Ladybridge.

Ladybridge were unlucky not to score from a goalmouth scramble after a corner within a couple of minutes of the restart but the keeper managed to gather the ball well to deny us our 2nd goal.  Prestwich were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out on ten minutes and the cross into the box found the Prestwich No 11 in space but he pulled his shot just wide.  The Prestwich keeper was again called into action when he had to make good stops from good efforts on goal from both Taylor and Ollie.  Prestwich had an excellent chance to draw level when their No 4, on the edge of the box, tested Conor but he managed to parry his effort well.  Ladybridge's next goal came courtesy of a Cole cross that James connected well with and his shot was deflected in against a Prestwich player to make it Ladybridge 2-0.  

Our third goal was created by a battling Ben in the middle of midfield who found Taylor in a central position going forward and he side stepped the keeper well after a quick dart forward to make it 3-0 Ladybridge.  

The final goal of the game was an outstanding effort from Ollie who collected the ball about 30 yards out from the Prestwich goal and he launched a vicious looping drive over the Prestwich keeper to make it 4-0 Ladybridge.

Full Time – Prestwich 0-4 Ladybridge

Prestwich gave us an excellent game this evening and held us to a single goal lead for a good 55mins or so.  I was very impressed with how they battled for each other and never gave up throughout the full 70 minutes.  Their keeper was easily the best player on the pitch for me and was only beaten by efforts that he couldn't do anything about.

Ladybridge had to be patient tonight to break down a good team and excellent goalkeeper.  Three games in five days is a very tough ask for any team but 3 wins with 14 goals scored with a couple of clean sheets thrown in for good measure is a great return from a tough sequence of games.  Our next fixture is a Challenge Cup Semi-Final away on Sunday against Stalybridge Celtic Blues.

Gordon

Ladybridge v Walshaw Sports

It was a bright and breezy start for the first of many midweek fixtures for Ladybridge before the end of the season.  Ollie and James Y started on the bench.  The early period of the 1st half was very even with both teams enjoying equal possession and territory.  The first chance of the game came from Ladybridge’s first corner, which Cole swung into the box and Tom's header just went over the bar.  Dion was looking sharp down the right wing and when Ben threaded a pass through to him he ran a good 40 yards and was unlucky to see his chipped shot just go high and wide.  The first goal came after about 15mins when Tom passed out to Dion and he powerfully crossed into the box where the Walshaw No 12 bundled the ball into his own net to make it 1-0 Ladybridge.

Walshaw then had an immediate opportunity to hit back when Cal mistimed his tackle on the Walshaw No 11 in the box - penalty Walshaw.  The No 11 stepped up to take the kick but Conor did well to smartly save to his right to keep his team in front.  In the final minute of the 1st half Ollie, after initially losing the ball in centre field, battled back well to retrieve it and he managed to slip the ball left into Cole's path who then made a storming run forward and from 10 yards out he smashed the ball home to make it 2-0 Ladybridge.

HT Ladybridge 2-0 Walshaw Sports

The 2nd half started well for Ladybridge and after 5mins Taylor was unlucky to be just offside when he found the back of the net from a Cole cross from the left.  Walshaw forced a corner on 10mins but Sam made a great header out to clear the danger.  The next goal came after another dash down the right from Dion who passed on to Ollie who found Cole in space on the left and he passed the ball to the right of the keeper to make it 3-0 Ladybridge.

Our midfield really started to dominate proceedings in the middle of the 2nd half and our fourth goal came from some smart play from James who fed Cole down the left hand side and his cross into the box found Taylor in space and he slid the ball home to make it 4-0 Ladybridge.  Walshaws only real opportunity to score in the 2nd period came when they won a free kick 30 yards out and their No 16 put a very dangerous ball into the box that Tom managed to clear well to relieve the danger.  James Y set up Ladybridge's fifth goal after he made a strong run down the right and his smashing cross into the box found a Ladybridge forwards head and the keeper made a superb point blank save out but his block dropped to James 10 yards out and he found the back of the net to make it 5-0 Ladybridge.

Taylor added his 2nd goal of the game and Ladybridge's last when he managed to burst through the Walshaw defence and with just the keeper to beat he angled a nice shot wide of him to make it 6-0 Ladybridge.

Tom nearly got himself on to the scoresheet in the last minute but the Walshaw keeper made a smart stop to deny him.

FT Ladybridge 6-0 Walshaw Sports

Walshaw's previous games against us have been tight affairs with just a goal or two in it on both occasions.  Tonight they just didn't seem to get going but I was very impressed with their goalkeeper and to be fair all their players never let their heads go down and battled well for the full 70mins.

Ladybridge tonight controlled the game well and Conor's good save from the penalty in the first half was timely and helped the team to a well deserved clean sheet. After our own 6-0 defeat against Chadderton at home we've now been able to put together two strong performances against good teams that will give us a lot of confidence going forward. Our next fixture a League Cup Quarter Final away against Prestwich Town on Thursday evening - rest well lads! 

Gordon

Ladybridge v Hough End Griffins

A cold, dank overcast afternoon greeted both teams as we welcomed our visitors Hough End Griffins to Ladybridge Lane.  Sam and Josh were both away on holiday with their respective families.  James Y started on the bench.  After our last match at home it was important that we started well and we did, with Ollie just shooting over the bar in the opening minutes.  Ladybridge looked lively and competitive early doors against a physically imposing opposition.  HEG forced the first corner of the game on 5mins but this was cleared well by the Ladybridge defence.  Caleb doesn't get into advanced positions often but the ball came out to him and he drove a ball just over from 35 yards out.  Ladybridge were passing and moving nicely throughout the half and Ben started a dangerous move when he found James who in turn released Ollie whose shot just went narrowly wide.  The HEG No 9 was catching the eye up front and he was found well by his midfield and Conor just managed to parry out his strong drive in HEG's best move of the half on 15mins.  The first goal of the game was started on the right flank when Dion smartly picked out James moving forward into the HEG box and he managed to tuck the ball past the keeper to make it Ladybridge 1-0.

The lead was not ours for long though as two minutes later the dangerous No 9 was found free in the centre 40 yards out and he made a strong run through with just Conor to beat and he passed the ball past him into the L/H corner of the net to make it 1-1.

The last offensive action of the half came from Ladybridge when James went on a mazy run forward and beat 3 or 4 men only to see the HEG keeper pull off a superb save from his shot to deny him his 2nd goal of the half.

Half Time 1-1.

James Y came on for Ollie at H.T. Ladybridge continued to press forward from the start of the 2nd half and a slick move between Tom and Cole saw Cole eventually just shoot wide.  The HEG No 9 was allowed too much space and he got in front of the Ladybridge back four but he miscued his shot just over the bar after 5mins. The first goal of this half would be very important and Ladybridge snatched it after some great work from James Y down the right and his dangerous cross into the box was flicked on by Taylor into Cole who made no mistake from 5 yards out.  Ladybridge 2-1.

Tom was battling well in the centre of midfield and he found Taylor free in the centre and he advanced forward and passed the ball out to Cole on the left and he hit an exquisite drive past the keeper to make it 3-1 to Ladybridge.

The HEG No 9 was denied another goal when Conor pulled off a smashing save from his well hit shot midway through the half.  Ladybridge's crucial and final goal came about ten minutes before the end of the game when Ollie slid an inch perfect pass out to Cole on the left and he unleashed a low and powerful shot past the keeper to complete his hatrick 4-1 Ladybridge.

HEG never gave up and they earned a penalty late on when Conor tripped a HEG forward and their No 9 duly stepped up and made no mistake to make it 4-2.  Conor was to make up for his first error brilliantly when he managed to parry and push out a HEG free kick on the right from 20 yards which otherwise would have ended up in the net.  Ladybridge withstood the HEG pressure well and they had their keeper to thank in the last minute when he dealt well with a cross/shot from James Y.

Full time Ladybridge 4-2 Hough End Griffins.

HEG currently sit 2nd in the league and they showed us today why they occupy this lofty league position.  Physically challenging they have a very powerful offensive line that is led well by the No 9 who could and maybe should have had more goals this afternoon.

Today Ladybridge got a little bit of their mojo back after a crushing defeat in our last league outing.  Each and everyone of the players available put in a real shift in. They battled for every ball and were far more clinical in taking their chances during this game and they thoroughly deserved the win.  Our League and Cup run in is daunting with the lads being asked to play pretty much every Tues, Thurs and Sunday right up to the end of the season.  If they manage to stick together and show the same grit and determination that they did today I'm sure they'll do themselves justice in both League and Cup by the end of the season.

Gordon

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