EMIRATES FA CUP

LONGRIDGE TOWN 6

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 1

A GOAL blitz just before half-time saw Barnoldswick Town get knocked out in the preliminary qualifying round of the Emirates FC Cup at Longridge Town on Saturday.

Longridge Town scored three goals in six minutes before the break, and Barnoldswick never recovered, losing 6-1 to the home side.

After a couple of early chances for both teams, which included a good save by Barlick keeper Ryan Livesey, the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when new striker Ric Seear was played through on made no mistake to put Barnoldswick 1-0 up.

Two minutes later, Niall Sultan made a good run to give Barnoldswick a corner. From the corner, the visitors hit a shot over the bar.

As the rain started lashing down, the hosts drew level when a good finish by Paul Turner made the score 1-1.

In the next ten minutes, Barlick had a couple of chances with Alex Ralph going close and a deflected header which was easily taken by Longridge keeper Lee Dovey.

Longridge started to dominate and their good play led to a bullet finish by Dan Birch in the 36th minute.

After Livesey denied another goal four minutes later, Turner put Longridge 3-1 up in the 43rd minute.

Finlay Sinclair-Smith added another one minute into extra time after a passing move led to a simple tap-in.

Things went from bad to worse for Barnoldswick, as Sinclair-Smith scored again in the fourth minute of added time to give the home side a 5-1 at the break.

Shaun Airey, James Crorken and Joel Melia all came on substitutes at half-time.

But despite a half chance early in the second half, Barlick struggled to get through the defence, and Longridge extended their lead t 6-1 when Turner completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute when his deflected shot got past Livesey.

The home side went on to a get a deserved 6-1 and will be in the hat for the next round of the cup.

Barnoldswick Town will next play a league game against Ashton Athletic at 3pm this Saturday.