Longridge Town boss believes pitch problems will be a thing of the past

Lee Ashcroft has backed the Longridge Town pitch to hold up well ahead of next month’s anticipated return to action.
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The Mike Riding Ground is one of four host venues for the Heys Invitational Cup, scheduled to start in mid-April.

The competition’s format means Town will host all their group games and a quarter-final tie.

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Although the match schedule hasn’t been released yet, it’s thought those four rounds of games will be played over consecutive weekends.

Longridge Town hope to be playing on a pristine surface next seasonLongridge Town hope to be playing on a pristine surface next season
Longridge Town hope to be playing on a pristine surface next season
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Longridge Town boss puts plans in place for next season

Each round of group games will see one followed immediately by another on the same day.

It’s an arduous challenge at the best of times but especially for Town, who have had issues with their pitch in recent years.

“The pitch looks very good and the groundsman (Mark Shuttleworth) has been working hard on it,” Ashcroft said.

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“We have a fantastic half, as good as anything around, but the other half needs work and it’s getting addressed the first week in May.

“We’ll have to stay off it for four or five weeks after that to get it up and running but, next season, I’m expecting a fantastic surface.”

The Town boss also reiterated his desire to avoid much in the way of a squad overhaul for next season.

Though they only played four league games before the NWCFL campaign was suspended at the end of December, Ashcroft has full confidence in the class of 2020/21.

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He said: “I won’t be looking to bring anyone in if everyone stays and signs.

“Some of the lads have done very well to progress from the West Lancs League to where they are now, one off the Northern Premier League.

“They have taken their opportunities and they keep on doing better and progressing.”

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