LEPSFL - LEP Sunday Football League News

All Preston & South Ribble Parks are OFF the Weekend

2012-02-03

You will not be surprised to hear that both Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council have declared their pitches unfit for play this weekend, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February 2012. This means that no matches will take place this weekend on the following parks;

Preston City Parks

Ashton Park

Frenchwood Park

Moor Park

Ribbleton Park

London Rd Athletic Track

Mill Lane

Station Lane, Barton

Tanterton

South Ribble Parks

Gregson Lane Recreation Ground

Higher Walton Recreation Ground

Holme Playing Fields (Bamber Bridge)

Hutton

Kingsfold (Penwortham)

Leyland St Mary�s High School

Penwortham Holme

Tardy Gate Recreation Ground

Walmer Bridge

Withy Grove

Worden Park (Leyland)

Eamonn McNamara.

Cup Final Dates Announced

2012-02-02

Cup Final Programmes 2011

The League is pleased to announce the dates of this season�s Cup Finals, sponsored by The Syndicate Trust;

Youth Trophy Final
Mill Hill FC v Tarleton Corinthians (Red) FC
Bamber Bridge FC - Wednesday 28 March 2012, kick off 7.30pm

Youth Cup Final
Euxton Villa FC v Lostock St Gerards FC
Bamber Bridge FC - Wednesday 4 April 2012, kick off 7.30pm

Presidents Cup Semi-Finals<
Wyresdale Rangers FC v Station East End FC
Burscough FC v Plungington Celtic FC
Fulwood Amateurs FC - Sunday 19 February 2012, kick off 11.00am

Presidents Cup Final
Bamber Bridge FC - Wednesday 18 April 2012, kick off 7.30pm

Challenge Cup Semi-Finals
Ingol Rangers FC v Penwortham United FC
AFC Lostock Hall v New Farington House FC
Fulwood Amateurs FC - Sunday 8 April 2012 (Easter Sunday), kick off 11.00am

Challenge Cup Final
LFA County Ground, Leyland - Thursday 3 May 2012, kick off 7.00pm

Eamonn McNamara

Clubs agree to change the name of the League

2012-01-31

The New League Logo

After being known as the Lancashire Evening Post Sunday Football League since its inception in 1967, member clubs have supported the management committee�s recommendation to change the name of the League and from the Annual General Meeting on Monday 18 June the league will be known as;

The Lancashire Sunday Football League

The decision to change of name of the League followed a dispute with an international company over image rights. The dispute had nothing whatsoever to do with the Lancashire Evening Post or its associated companies and we look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with the newspaper.

The League management committee is grateful to the Lancashire Evening Post and its staff, past and present, for their help and support and we will always remember that this League was formed by employees of the Newspaper.

Eamonn McNamara.

January League Meeting Update

2012-01-31

Paul Dinsdale (right) returns the Guild Trophy to Roy Rich and Wilf Riley

Guild Trophy 2012
Roy Rich, President of the Preston & District League and Wilf Riley, Guild Trophy Organiser attended the League Meeting and received the Guild Trophy from Paul Dinsdale, secretary of Forrest Arms FC who won the Trophy in 1992.
Roy advised clubs interested in entering the competition to return their application forms ASAP or by 15 February at the latest.

Annual General Meeting 2012
The date of our Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been moved from Monday 4 June to Monday 18 June to avoid clashing with the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Derian House Appeal.
Chorley St Gregory�s FC (Youth Division 1 White) who are enjoying their first season in the League have kindly donated �200.00 to the League�s Derian House Appeal.
We also received a cheque from Zainab Kalang for Derian House and clubs were reminded that this appeal is on-going and clubs can send donations for Derian House to Eamonn McNamara.

Kits for Uganda
Lostock Hall FC (Division 2) has donated one of their kits for the Uganda Appeal. If any club has any used kits and/or equipment that they would like to donate to this worthy cause, please contact Eamonn McNamara.

First Aid Course
The Lancashire Football Association have offered to run a First Aid Course for member clubs in this League. If your club is interested in taking one of the places on the course please contact Eamonn McNamara ASAP.

Applications for League Membership
The following Clubs have applied to join the League for season 2012-13: Deepdale FC, Croston FC, Astley & Buckshaw FC, Mellor FC and Lytham FC have applied to join the youth section of the league. Southport Cavaliers FC have applied to join the adult section.

SKkits
Ian Senior of SKkits, who attends all our League Meetings, once again donated four match balls to the League for our cup finals and he also presented a match ball to Roy Rich for the Guild Trophy Final.
Ian has sets of 10 metal net pegs for only �2.00 per set. If you need these or have any other kit requirements, contact Ian on either 0161-764 1026 or 07960 137232.

Eamonn McNamara.

Greenlands thrash Preston City and prove a point

2012-01-29

Greenlands v Preston City - Premier Division

Greenlands produced their best performance of the season to dismiss fellow title challengers Preston City 7-1 in the premier division at the UCLAN Sports Arena and in doing so confirmed what many have long suspected that on their day they are quite frankly irresistible.

But if there is a more frustrating team in Preston than Greenlands I�d like to know who it is. This is the team that completely under-performed and were quite rightly beaten by Mill Hill FC (Blackburn) on the 8 January in the LFA Sunday Trophy and yet they produced this performance a mere three weeks later to beat a team who are in the semi-finals of the Sunday Trophy.

And for the first 30 minutes of this game it was all Preston City, who with slick passing darting runs and solid tackling seemed to have the game well under control. They were denied a goal after 17 minutes when Andy Naylor netted only for it to be correctly ruled out by a flag from Assistant Referee Marc Gardner. Nevertheless Naylor made up for it seven minutes later when he powered into the area and blasted City into the lead.

On another Sunday this would have signalled Greenlands heads to drop, but not today. They drew level after 35 minutes when fine approach work by George Pennington was finished by Stuart Parry. Paul Sells put Greenlands ahead in 40th minute with a drive from the edge of the area and Jerome Matthews chipped in with one on the stroke of half time to give Greenlands a 3-1 interval lead.

This was clearly one lead that Greenlands had no intention of conceding and the industrious Pennington made it 4-1 in the 59th minute and Stu Parry converted a penalty on 71 minutes to make it 5-1. A magnificent free kick by Jerome Matthews found the top corner in the 74th minute and Matthews completed his hat trick with a fine solo effort two minutes later to make the final score 7-1. One of the pleasures of watching football is seeing the unalloyed joy of someone like Jerome Matthews celebrating scoring a goal.

This was another excellent advert for Sunday football in general and the LEP Sunday League in particular. Two teams full of talented players expertly refereed by Mark Doherty and his assistants Dave Hulse and Marc Gardner and enjoyed by plenty of appreciative spectators.

A delighted Greenlands manager Paul Paynter said after the game, �This was a big important game and I thought my lads put in a fantastic performance to get this result. Preston City are a great team and they didn�t deserve to lose 7-1 but my lads did the business for me�.

BAC Continental Casuals suffered their first defeat in the league since 23 October when they were beaten 3-2 by New Farington House and Ingol Ranger retuned to winning ways by beating Canaries 4-2 at the Arena.

AC Muldoons had a comfortable 5-1 win over AFC Ingol with goals from Jordan Cartman (2), Leon Smithson (2) and Mark Johnson with Harry Dunn replying for Ingol. Dean Crossen donned a shirt after a seven year absence to put in a cameo performance as substitute for Muldoons. In the other division 1 game AFC Longridge beat Theatre Boys 7-2.

The big two in division 2 both won today, leaders London Victoria beat Vernon Sports 4-1 with two from James Mottley to bring his tally for the season to 32. Meanwhile second placed Ashton Villa beat Eccleston & Heskin 3-2, Lostock Hall beat Leyland Rangers 6-0 and Penwortham Hill Rovers won 2-0 at Worden Rangers.

It�s getting very interesting at the top of division 3 where the leaders Brigg (34 points) were beaten 6-1 by second placed New Longton Rovers (26 points) helped by a hat trick from Ashley Sleight and Penwortham United also on 26 points beat Preston Guild 9-0. Wilbraham Wanderers won 6-3 at Fulwood Park Rangers; Gregson Lane beat Preston Sector 4-2 and the South Ribble v Wyresdale Rangers clash ended 2-1.

Grange still lead division 4 after beating Ashton on Ribble but Springfields keep in touch with a 6-2 win over Albrighton, Burscough beat Frenchwood 2-1 whilst Ribbleton Wanderers won 2-01 at BAE Warton.

Only two games survived in the youth section and they both ended in draws. Penwortham Town drew 2-1 with Charnock Richard in the youth premier whilst Warton Typhoons drew 1-1 with Chew Moor Brook in youth 1 white.

Photos and round up by Eamonn McNamara.

Parks are ON this Weekend

2012-01-27

South Ribble Borough Council and Preston City Council have allowed play on their pitches this weekend Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th January, subject to the decision of the match referee.

However, the Parks Department and the Leagues request that referees and club officials take a responsible attitude and do not play on any pitch which is clearly unfit.

Eamonn McNamara.

Luke hits the big time with Tampa Bay

2012-01-26

Luke Mulholland

Preston footballer Luke Mulholland has signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League (NASL), team officials have announced. The 23-year-old Mulholland joins the Rowdies after a successful late-season run with the NASL champion Minnesota Stars in 2011. He scored 11 goals in 30 appearances and took the NASL title during his time in Minnesota.

Mulholland visited Preston to see his family in December and he was keen to explore all of the options available to him, including a return to British shores. He linked up with Walsall on a trial basis and impressed manager Dean Smith with some good performances for their reserves.

However the 23-year-old, who is hot property in the US with a number of American sides having put offers to him, found the lure of Tampa Bay too strong to resist and he is looking forward to their season which starts in April.

Luke played in the LEP Sunday League for the Preston City team which won Youth Division 2 title in 2007 after being spotted playing 5-a-side by Dean Charles at VIDA.

Preston City secretary Duncan Sumner said, �Luke is a good down to earth lad. His brother Danny played for AC Muldoons, and his younger brother Joe still plays down at VIDA. All of them are good players but Luke definitely stood out".

Eamonn McNamara.

Forrest Arms FC reform for Guild Cup Challenge

2012-01-24

Forrest Arms FC - Guild Cup Winners 1992

The all-conquering Forrest Arms team have decided to reform and enter this year�s Guild Cup completion to defend the trophy which they won in 1992.

The move will evoke memories of this legendary team which made its mark by winning eight LEP League Championships (1978, 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, 92 94) five LEP Challenge Cups (1976, 78, 87, 92 93), the Jack Kelly Trophy (1992) and the Guild Cup (1992).

However, their place in history was sealed by the remarkable feat of winning the LFA Sunday Trophy on four consecutive occasions (1989, 90, 91, 92) which prompted the Lancashire Football Association to present a special award to the club to mark their achievement.

The team won five trophies in 1992, the LEP Sunday League Championship, the LEP Challenge Cup, The Jack Kelly Trophy, the LFA Sunday Trophy and the Guild Cup.

The idea to reform the team for the Guild came from Stuart Wilcock and former secretary Paul Dinsdale. Stuart said, �When I put the idea to the lads they agreed straight away. Most of them are in their forties but they try to keep fit with five-a-side football etc. It�s not about winning but respecting the Guild Cup which we are proud to have won�.

The Forrest team above is (back row, left -right): Pete Metcalf, Andy Birkbeck, Graham Dewhurst, Tony Butterworth, Andy Holden, Steve Young, Mick Crabbe, Ian Young, Joe Dewhurst (Manager).

Front row (left-right): Paul Dinsdale (secretary), Dave Young, Rob Hamilton, Stuart Wilcock, Ian Smith and Stuart Darley.

Forrest Arms won the 1992 Guild Cup by beating ROF Chorley at Deepdale. The score was 0-0 after full time and Forrest triumphed 5-4 on penalties.

The closing date for applications to enter this year�s Guild Cup competition has been deferred to mid-February but interested clubs are urged to get their registration forms returned ASAP or bring them to the League Meeting on Monday 30th January.

The Preston & District Football League are organising the Guild Cup competition and their President Roy Rich will bring the Guild Cup to the League Meeting and Roy will accept application forms and answer any questions about the competition.

Eamonn McNamara.

Preston City power into the Sunday Trophy Semi-finals

2012-01-22

Preston City who have reached the LFA Sunday Trophy semi-finals

Preston City emerged 6-1 winners in their much postponed LFA quarter final clash against Golbourne Parkside (Wigan) which finally got underway on the 3G pitch at Myerscough College this morning.

This result means that they now face a mouth watering semi-final against New Farington House for a chance to reach the LFA Sunday Trophy final and capture that most glittering of prizes, which clubs from this league have won on no less than 13 occasions.

The game started in blustery conditions, with Golbourne Parkside winning the toss and electing to face a strong wind. After a scrappy opening Preston City took the lead in the 40th minute when Jason Simpson shot from inside the penalty area into the left hand corner of the net, and within 2 minutes Ashley Charles made it 2 � 0 to make Dean Charles�s half time team talk a lot easier.

In the 55th minute Ashley Charles scored his 2nd goal and Preston City�s 3rd by diverting a 25 yard goal bound shot from Captain Steven Simpson, passed the Golbourne keeper. Phil Sumner scored the 4th with a shot from the left, which was diverted by a Golbourne defender into his own goal. In the 69th minute, a deep cross to the back post allowed Jonny Forbes to score with a thumping header to make it five.

Golbourne scored a consolation goal with a 25 yard shot into the top right hand corner, but Preston City made it 6 � 1 when Carl Hartley passed to Danny Kinsey to slide the ball into the net.

The Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy semi-finals BAC/EE Preston v Tarleton Corinthians B and Mill Hill v Burscough Dynamo Green were played at the UCLAN Sports Arena this morning and all four teams impressed in difficult conditions.

The formation of the youth section in 2000 has been has been a crucial factor in the development of the league and this was highlighted by Preston City who joined the youth section in 2006, progressed to the adult section and have been promoted every season to be the joint leaders in the premier division.

Today�s Youth semi-finalists represent some of the biggest and most substantial clubs in the area and they with the other members of the youth section have given this league a dimension which is the envy of all the youth leagues in the County.

Mill Hill reach the final by beating Burscough Dynamo Green 3-1 with goals from Adam Nuttall, Scott Duxbury and Conor Tobin with Josh Hall replying from the penalty spot.

Tarleton Corinthians needed extra time to see off their premier division opponents BAC/EE Preston 3-1. Matt Silcock headed BAC ahead after 26 minutes but Danny King levelled the scores after 55 minutes and that was the score after 90 minutes. The turning point in the game came with Tarleton keeper Daniel Lea�s spectacular penalty save which set up Kristian Martin to make it 2-1 and then Daniel Hafez booked their final place with a third goal.

The league programme was once again decimated by the weather. AFC Lostock Hall took advantage by beating Preston Town 8-2 at the Arena to move into fourth spot in the premier division with games in hand, John Sanderson did his bit by netting five.

Plungington Celtic beat Wrea Green 8-0 at the Arena in the only game in division 1 and the result sees them leapfrog Lea into top spot, Jamie Quan-Soon scored a hat trick. No games played in divisions 2 and 3 and the only game in division saw Warton typhoons beat Deepdale Dynamos 8-3.

The youth section fared better with five league games played. Burscough Dynamo beat Penwortham Town 4-0 in the youth premier division, Poulton beat Gillibrand Warriors 6-3, Lostock Hall SC and Warton Typhoons drew 3-3 in youth 1 white whilst Garstang beat Thornton Cleveleys 5-1 and Gregson Lane beat Wyre 6-1 in youth 1 Red.

Round up and photos by Eamonn McNamara with additional photos by Julie Edwards and Stephen Smith.

All Preston and South Ribble Parks are OFF this Weekend

2012-01-20

Unsurprisingly, Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council have declared their pitches unfit for play this weekend, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd January 2012. This means that no matches will take place this weekend on the following parks;

Preston City Parks

Ashton Park

Frenchwood Park

Moor Park

Ribbleton Park

London Rd Athletic Track

Mill Lane

Station Lane, Barton

Tanterton

South Ribble Parks

Gregson Lane Recreation Ground

Higher Walton Recreation Ground

Holme Playing Fields (Bamber Bridge)

Hutton

Kingsfold (Penwortham)

Leyland St Mary�s High School

Penwortham Holme

Tardy Gate Recreation Ground

Walmer Bridge

Withy Grove

Worden Park (Leyland)

Eamonn McNamara.

Charter Standard - the clock is ticking

2012-01-19

The clock is ticking for those clubs without Charter Standard status who want to play in the league�s premier division next season.

The LEP Sunday League�s policy is that from the start of season 2012-13 only teams who have achieved Charter Standard (CS) status will be eligible to play in the top division. At present 10 of the 12 premier division clubs either have CS are in the process of obtaining it.

Six of the clubs in division 1 are eligible for promotion to the top division, the other six will not be considered for promotion irrespective of where they finish this season unless they obtain the Charter mark. From the start of season 2013-14 only Charter Standard clubs will be allowed to play in division 1.

At present 48 out of 88 clubs in the league (54%) have achieved Charter Standard status. Once 60% of our clubs have the Charter mark (5 more) the league can then apply for Charter Standard League status. If this is granted it would mean that all clubs in the league would have to gain the Charter mark within a set period or forfeit their place in the league.

Any club wishing to obtain Charter Standard should contact the League ASAP.

Eamonn McNamara.

PNE Offer - Buy Orient, Get Hartlepool Free!

2012-01-18

Preston North End are celebrating the arrival of new manager Graham Westley by offering a free ticket to the Hartlepool United game when you purchase a ticket for this weekend's game against Leyton Orient - plus there are free additional Hartlepool tickets for season ticket holders too.

As part of this great offer, fans can enjoy a two-game package for as little as �17 for adults, �10 for concessions and �5 for U16s - a great value chance for supporters to pack out Deepdale and give the new manager the most vocal backing possible.

The terms of the deal are simple - simply purchase your ticket for the Leyton Orient game* (Saturday 21st January, 3pm kick-off) and you'll receive a Hartlepool United ticket (Tuesday 14th February, 7.45pm kick-off) in the same age and price band free of charge. Simply head to the 'Season Tickets' tab at MyPNE.com and look for the 'BOGOF Offer' to buy online, or you can also purchase your seats via 0844 856 1966 or by visiting the ticket office in person this week.

* Please note that the 'BOGOF' deal is only available until 8pm on Friday 20th January and will not be applicable on the day of the Leyton Orient game.

Season ticket holders can also enjoy the benefits having paid up front for their tickets - every season ticket holder can claim a free additional Hartlepool United ticket by visiting the ticket office in person or calling 0844 856 1966 (free tickets for season ticket holders are not available online).

Relocations are available on a first-come, first-served basis if seats adjacent to your regular season ticket seats are unavailable and you wish to sit as a group with those you are bringing free of charge.

The ticket office is opening late every night this week to make the deal more accessible, with extended daily hours of 9am-8pm from Monday 16th January to Friday 20th January.

Don't miss this great chance to join a bumper crowd for two big games at the start of Graham Westley�s reign!

Eamonn McNamara.

Jason�s Mum in Facebook Warning

2012-01-16

Sandra Powrie with Jason and daughters Rebecca (left) and Kerry

A grieving mum, whose son took his own life, has blamed modern technology for preventing youngsters from talking about their problems.

Sandra Powrie and her husband Ken, of Blundell Lane, Penwortham, near Preston, fear they will never know what led to their son Jason, 20, committing suicide on Christmas Eve. The dad-of-one, a promising footballer who doted on his baby son, was found hanged at home by his devastated father.

Sandra, who also has daughters Kerry, 24, and Rebecca, 22, today urged young people to talk to others and open up about their problems, and blamed text messaging and social networking sites for taking the place of talking.

Jason, 20, who had a 13-month-old baby son Andre, was a promising footballer who had played for a number of teams including Acregate Lane FC, Preston Sectors FC, Preston Wanderers FC and at the time of his death he played for Nelson.

More than 300 mourners attended Jason�s funeral at St Mary�s Church in Penwortham � including Preston North End�s Clarke Carlisle who has openly spoken about his own battles with depression, and he has reiterated Sandra�s comments about the importance of young people talking about their issues.

The footballer says: �Modern technology has not only made the world a smaller place, but it has also made our lives a lot smaller.

�People don�t have to leave their homes for entertainment, shopping or even for communication and contact with others. The one thing you desperately need when you are going through a problem is personal contact with others.

�When you have issues in your life, you literally need a shoulder to cry on. With text messages, people have lost the humanity of direct communication. So much more can be conveyed by a look, a touch or body language than can ever be conveyed in a text message.�

PAPYRUS, the organisation for the prevention of young suicide, has revealed that more than 2,100 young people under the age of 35 commit suicide in the UK each year.

Ged Flynn, chief executive of PAPYRUS, says: �We totally support this mother in her message about people needing to talk about their problems.

�There is never ever one reason why a young person takes their own life, but there may be a final trigger. People, especially young people, must talk about their problems. As a society, we need to make it easier for men to share their feelings.�

Read the full story in the Lancashire Evening Post

Eamonn McNamara.

It�s a Happy New Year for Worden Rangers

2012-01-15

Worden Rangers FC - Division 2

Worden Rangers recorded their first win of the season in division 2 at the sixteenth attempt beating Central United 4-2 at Worden Park. They have lost 14 of their previous games and claimed a solitary draw against Vernon Sports on 30th October so there will have been some well-deserved post match celebrations today. Their goals were scored by Nick Keyte, Andrew Dewhurst, Ian Eastwood and John Earnshaw with Stephen Bradley and Chris Munn scoring for Central.

Ashton Villa travelled to Gregson Lane Wanderers for a 2-1 win which sees them leapfrog their opponents into third place in division 2 with strikes from Michael Botes and Gareth Wignall with Mark Fahey replying for Wanderers.

Cadley took advantage of the other postponements in the premier division by beating Preston Town 5-1 at Myerscough, a win which moves them off the bottom where they are placed by today�s opponents. Cadley scored through Adam Hoyle, Ryan Ogden, David Boyes and a brace from Simon Bentham with Robert Egan replying for Preston Town.

The only game in division 3 saw Leyland Town move into second spot after beating South Ribble 3-1 at Hutton GS. Steve Gore netted for South Ribble with Craig Bentley (2) and Michael Bradshaw on target for Leyland.

Grange are back on top in division 4 after their 3-2 win over bottom club Frenchwood at Ribbleton Park and the score suggests that the Frenchwood lads gave a good account of themselves only losing to an own goal. Grange scored through Ryan Hough and Martin Lambert plus the OG with Stephen Griffiths bagging two for Frenchwood to bring his tally for the season to 8.

Ashton on Ribble are up to fourth place after their 4-2 win at Ribbleton Wanderers who can�t find a result after their early season promise. Tom Darkins, Nick Haynes, Chris King and Matt Wiggins scored for Ashton with Martin O�Malley and Anthony Nash netting for Ribbleton.

Is there no end to this wretched weather with just 7 games played today and another 34 games postponed. Preston City�s LFA Sunday Trophy tie at Golbourne Parkside was called off last night which means the game reverts to Preston and will now be played on the 3G pitch at Myerscough College next Sunday.

Round up by Eamonn McNamara.

Local lad Richie Allen back at Fleetwood Town

2012-01-13

Richie Allen

Well known Preston footballer Richie Allen has resigned for Fleetwood Town in the Blue Square Conference. He has played for Acregate Lane LC in this league where he stood out an excellent player and a lethal striker.

Allen�s first spell at Fleetwood ended in December 2007 and he has since played at Northwich Victoria and at AFC Fylde. Ritchie, who was due to link up with his new team mates at training today (Friday 13 January) said:

�It feels great to be back at Fleetwood Town and have this chance. It�s a massive step-up for me. I�ll just want to start full-time training and adapt to it. The stadium has really come on since I last played here. It�s probably the best ground in the Conference. I�ll take this - it�s the best of opportunities.�

Eamonn McNamara.

Parks are ON this Weekend

2012-01-12

Both Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council have given the OK for play on their pitches this weekend Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th January 2012, subject to the decision of the match referee.

However, the Parks Department and the Leagues request that referees and club officials take a responsible attitude and do not play on any pitch which is clearly unfit.

With a decent weather forecast for the next few days we should see plenty of games played.

Eamonn McNamara.

Warren and Lydon running to help Katy

2012-01-09

Katy Holmes is being cared for by Derian House

Two LEP Sunday League players Warren Beattie (Plungington Celtic FC) and Lydon Hodgkiss (Ingol Rangers FC) are running from Preston to Blackpool Tower on Sunday 19th February to raise money for the Katy Holmes Appeal.

Ten year old Katy Holmes who lives in Penwortham with her parents Paula and Dave and her brothers and sisters has been diagnosed with a brainstem diffuse pontine glioma. In layman`s terms, Katy has a brainstem tumour that is highly aggressive, inoperable and terminal.

Katy has had all the radio therapy she is allowed in her lifetime and is not eligible for chemotherapy due to the type and nature of this tumour. As a result of this she has been given just 6 - 9 months to live. An incredibly brave young girl, Katy never complains about her illness and in reality Katy has gone from being a healthy happy 10 year old to this devastating condition in just 3 months.

A surgeon in Australia has offered the family a ray of hope that there could be an operation that may give Katy a prolonged and better quality of life and that�s why Warren and Lydon are doing the run to help raise the funds to make this trip and treatment possible.

Since news of her plight, Katy, who is currently resident at Derian House Children�s Hospice in Chorley, has been inundated with messages of support from around the world.

You can help by sponsoring Warren and Lydon or by making a donation to Katy Holmes Appeal.

Eamonn McNamara.

New Farington win in LFA Trophy as Greenlands crash out

2012-01-08

Euxton Villa AFC beat Bispham FF to reach the Youth Cup Final

Welcome to 2012 and it�s still raining as only 12 of the 42 scheduled games survived the weather. The good news is that we managed to play the two Syndicate Trust Youth Cup semi-finals and the four Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy quarter-finals.

The league had a representative in three of the four LFA Sunday Trophy quarter-finals and New Farington House take pride of place after travelling to Darwen to beat the Blackburn Sunday League champions New Gardeners FC 4-3. Greenlands crashed out 3-2 to Mill Hill at the UCLAN Sports Arena whilst Preston City�s tie against Golbourne Parkside at Wigan was postponed and will be played next Sunday.

New Farington House (NFH) faced New Gardeners on the 3G pitch at Aldridge Academy, Darwen in front of a crowd of over 250 of which at least 50 travelled from Leyland to support our league champions. The game started at a furious pace and NFH found themselves a goal down after just 3 minutes after slack marking from a throw in. However they levelled matters ten minutes later when Ashley Ball pounced after their keeper failed to hold a Martin Savigar free kick. However, New Gardeners retook the lead on 28 minutes to make the score 2-1 at half time.

The second half was just a minute old when Ashley Ball got on the end of Ryan Broomhead�s cross with a diving header to make it 2-2 and then Broomhead fired NFH into the lead in the 57th minute before Ashley Ball completed his hat trick in the 68th minute. Even at 4-2 the game was far from over as keeper Paul Howson was called on to save a penalty (75 mins) before New Gardners completed the scoring with their third three minutes from time.

Last year�s beaten finalists Greenlands had a home tie at the UCLAN Arena against Mill Hill of Blackburn who disposed of Quilligans in the last round and could be expected to give them a run for their money. In spite of the weather a decent crowd turned up hoping for Greenlands to cement their excellent start to the season. No such luck. If any team knows how to press the self-destruct button it�s this one.

Greenlands found themselves a goal down after just 12 minutes when George Pennington committed an unnecessary foul 40 yards from goal which earned him a yellow card and Luke Hargreaves shot Mill ahead from the resulting free kick. Worse was to follow as a defensive mix up allowed Dean Clarke to make it 2-0 and put Mill Hill in the driving seat after just 25 minutes.

Greenlands then had a goal disallowed when Jerome Matthews handled in the area before Stuart Parry managed to shoot through a crowded area to make it 2-1 and give them some hope. Some hope indeed as on the stroke of half time more bizarre defending resulted in Lewis Bell turning the ball into his own net to give Mill Hill a 3-1 lead at half time.

Mill Hill had shown themselves as a solid workmanlike team who were not going to throw away a two goal lead and even after Marcus Bray netted to make the score 3-2 in the 68th minute they did not look like relinquishing their advantage. The Greenlands team has the players and the quality to go all the way and I know that it�s a clich� but we just never know which Greenlands team is going to turn up.

Referee Andy Sykes and his assistants Roland Ramsden and David Shaw handled a difficult game well under the conditions.

The Syndicate Trust Youth Cup semi-finals saw Euxton Villa AFC beat premier division opponents Bispham FF 3-2 with goals from George Liddle, Mario Bonetta and Chris Webster whilst Aaron Fleming and Ryan Harding were on target for Bispham. Euxton Villa AFC will meet Lostock St Gerards in the final; St Gerards beat Thornton Cleveleys 5-0 today thanks to an Adam Bell hat trick and goals from Bradley Carsley and Harry Ryding.

The Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy quarter finals saw BAC/EE Preston beat Lostock Hall SC 8-0, Tarleton Corinthians B won 1-0 at Burscough Dynamo, Mill Hill travelled to Poulton to win 7-5 and Burscough Dynamo Green won 1-0 at Gregson Lane.

Canaries started the New Year off with a win in the premier division with a, Suliyman Baroot hat trick in their 3-2 win over Penwortham Town in spite of Matt McDermott�s brace. And Acregate Lane LC beat Ingol Rangers 3-2 to record their first win in the league since the 25th September when they beat ��Ingol Rangers.

Charnock Richard won 2-1 at Fulwood Amateurs in the Youth Premier Division and the Wyre v New Longton Rovers game in Youth Division 1 (Red) finished 2-2.

Photos and round up by Eamonn McNamara.

Hundreds bid final farewell to Jason

2012-01-06

Jason Powrie Funeral - Friday 6 January 2012

Hundreds of friends, family and team mates turned out to bid their farwell to footballer Jason Powrie aged 20 who died tragically on Christmas Eve.

Jason played for a Preston Wanderers FC, Preston Sector FC, Acregate Lane LC FC and Nelson FC and Gary Duboulay, manager of Preston Wanderers FC, called Jason �a diamond� in his reading at the service.

Story in the Lancashire Evening Post (Saturday 7 January)

Eamonn McNamara.

ALL Preston and South Ribble Parks are OFF this weekend

2012-01-06

Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council have bowed to the inevitable and declared their pitches unfit for play this weekend, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th January 2012. This means that no matches will take place this weekend on the following parks;

Preston City Parks

Ashton Park

Frenchwood Park

Moor Park

Ribbleton Park

London Rd Athletic Track

Mill Lane

Station Lane, Barton

Tanterton

South Ribble Parks

Gregson Lane Recreation Ground

Higher Walton Recreation Ground

Holme Playing Fields (Bamber Bridge)

Hutton

Kingsfold (Penwortham)

Leyland St Mary�s High School

Penwortham Holme

Tardy Gate Recreation Ground

Walmer Bridge

Withy Grove

Worden Park (Leyland)

Eamonn McNamara.