Home form will be pivotal in Longridge’s title quest

Town boss Lee Ashcroft has admitted that his side will have to do better at home if they are to mount a serious challenge for the WLL Premier Division title.
Longridge celebrate Brad Carsley's goalLongridge celebrate Brad Carsley's goal
Longridge celebrate Brad Carsley's goal

Despite enjoying great success on their travels this season, Ashcroft knows full well that three league defeats in front of their own fans so far this campaign is not the form of potential champions.

“We have found it hard this season to break sides down,” said Ashcroft, who scored twice in the 3-0 win over derby rivals Garstang last weekend. “They seem to come here, sit back and hit us on the break. We have to change that.

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“But in saying that, against Slyne in the Lancashire Amateur Shield we were fantastic coming back from two down, but I’m sure that if we had taken our chances early on we would have been out of sight before they scored.

“The away form has compensated for the dips at home but we have to make our place a fortress if we are to claw our way back into league contention,” he said.

Already this season Town have lost to leaders Charnock Richard 2-1, while Fulwood Amateurs and Euxton Villa have also won at the Mike Riding Ground. Their cause at home has not been helped by red cards, which have seen them reduced to 10 men against Fulwood and Euxton

“We certainly haven’t helped ourselves at times,” said Ashcroft, who is hoping to make a signing ahead of this weekend.

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“But I was sent off a few times during my time playing at a higher level and I wouldn’t want to take that aggression out of my players,” he said.

Longridge are currently four points off the top and will be looking to reduce that deficit when they entertain Hesketh Bank, who will be without all-time leading goalscorer Danny Birkby due to injury, on Saturday.

“We need to keep on the coat-tails of the top three sides,” said Ashcroft.