North West Counties Football League

Premier Division

Whitchurch Alport 1

Longridge Town 2

Alport were left to rue missed chances as they went down narrowly to promotion-chasing Longridge at an emotionally charged Yockings Park.

The club paid its respects to one of their biggest supporters who died in tragic circumstances two weeks ago. Aaron Millington was just 22 when he died so the afternoon was about much more than the final score.

As 424 fans – a season’s best – packed the ground where the club honoured one of their own in typically classy fashion with the visitors playing their part in marking the occasion.

Whitchurch had a chance to break the deadlock after 18 minutes when a terrific move ended with new signing Matty Owen threading a ball through to Sam Phillips and his cross should have been converted by Steve Jones.

Sadly for the Reds, the ex-Northern Ireland striker couldn’t keep the shot down and Alport were made to pay five minutes later. Andrew Howarth got away down the left and put in the kind of cross that any player would relish.

Scott Harries was the man to profit with a simple header to put the Preston side in front. Within three minutes Jones had another opportunity but once again went high, although moments later he had cause for celebration.

Ryan McKenna’s ridiculous challenge on Phillips with the ball nowhere near gave the referee a simple decision and Jones sent Lee Dovey the wrong way from the spot.

Town’s response was almost immediate and it took a brilliant save from Dave Parton who reacted smartly to keep out Paul Turner’s goalbound volley.

As the visitors turned the screw it took another outstanding stop from the Reds’ keeper, this time diving high to his left to keep out Howarth’s free-kick.

Still the action continued in a pulsating first half when Owen opted to chip instead of swinging his trusty left boot and Dovey was grateful to see the ball land gently into his arms.

Leon Ashman made an outstanding tackle right on the whistle to ensure parity at the halfway stage.

Jones continued to show for Alport after the break and Dovey was called upon to make his first save five minutes after the restart and it was just before the hour that he made his most telling contribution.

Another superb pass from Owen gave Phillips a clean run through on goal but his shot was too close to the Town keeper and Longridge escaped. Stu Dickin’s superb block thwarted Turner as the game continued to go from one end to another but the next goalmouth action provided the winning goal.

Playmaker and comfortably man of the match, Tom Ince, found Turner and he expertly guided the ball into the far corner to give Parton no chance at all with just 14 minutes left.

Alport tried to rally and there was a half chance for Jones but that was it from the hosts’ perspective.

Ince was only a yard wide from adding a third a minute from time and Longridge saw out the additional minutes to record another precious three points to significantly aid their promotion charge.

In midweek, Alport boss Matt Burton secured his first win as Yockings boss when his side dispatched Litherland REMYCA 3-0 on Wednesday.

Alex Hughes made up for his previous weekend’s red card to put Alport ahead on eight minutes.

Skelton added a second on 55 minutes, while three minutes later Hughes made it 3-0.