First league game of the season and its an away fixture at Cadley Causeway against Preston Town. Not a trip any team looks forward to especially on the opening day of the season! Preston Town gave us a hard game at their pitch last season when we narrowly won 3-2 so another tough battle was on the cards this time round.

AFC Lostock Hall wore their new home kit of Black and White halves (sponsored by TA Halpin) and Preston Town wore their usual Red kit. The pitch was a little long in parts but overall nothing major to complain about. The referee brought along 2 linesmen so Bazooka was given a rest from his usual ‘salt and shake’ burn off.

AFC Lostock handed debuts to both Ben Yates and Craig Duckworth (no relation to Jack) with John Stead also due to start. However, Cat and Tat were not amused with John Stead still "Missing In Action” at Half 10, due to his excessive birthday celebrations the night before, so they were forced to change the starting line up just before kick off. The starting eleven was Cat who was forced to play in net as Moffatt was at the V Festival, a back four of Greeny, Ducky, Johno, and Ben Yates. Roddy (who was unhappy as the pitch had been doctored and that left no space for the wide men), Will Yates, Dan Mac, and Dash made up the midfield with Tiff and Jon starting up front.

With just 5 minutes played the ball fell to Greeny about 35 yards out who took a touch then unleashed a long range drive which deflected off Jon to send the keeper the wrong way and put AFC 1-0 up. Lostock then looked to take their foot off the gas as if to say the job was done and this allowed Preston Town back into the game. Minutes later a casual approach at left back by Ben Yates meant a pass was intercepted with the Preston Town wide man through on goal and he calmly stroked the ball past the tattoo-covered keeper Andrew Pollit. 1-1. The Swallows were unable to save him on this occasion! Halftime was approaching fast with neither team looking like taking the lead, when a through ball split the Lostock defence with cries of offside falling on deaf ears, the Preston striker dribbled past the onrushing Cat and passed the ball home. The Preston Town faithful were jubilant. 2-1. No sooner had Lostock restarted the game had the half-time whistle gone.

Half time saw the Lostock lads crowded around the touchline with the player/manager Andrew Pollit raising his voice in vitriolic condemnation for his teams under par performance. Surprisingly the Lostock lads were not willing to take responsibility for their below average display, an event to which they have become accustomed. Chris ‘Belly’ Hornby had unfairly been made a scapegoat by the Lostock gaffer, and this did not improve his less than satisfactory performance in the second half.

With the second half kicking off, the Lostock men knew that they had to get something out of this game if they were going to be serious title contenders come the end of the season. The midfield battle picked up were it had left off with Will ‘the animal’ Yates looking to take charge. As the second half progressed Lostock became increasingly frustrated at the lack of success in and around the Preston penalty area, so Mr Quest Innovation Services (Russell Horsfield) reshuffled the Lostock line-up. Jason Yates replaced Ben Yates seeing Will Yates sent up front to bully the Preston rearguard. A few shaky moments almost cost Lostock another goal, but Lance Corporal Andrew Pollit – 42763743 Sir, was on hand to protect his goal. With time running out Roddy saw his left foot shot hit row Z. A flurry of further Lostock attacks saw Will Yates rewarded for his never say die attitude. John Sanderson sent a fiercely whipped corner in, with Roddy on hand to nod down with what looked certain to make it 2-2, only for the ball to be handled on the line; with no whistle for a penalty Yates poked the ball home from 2 yards out! AFC had snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat! As the full time whistle sounded, both teams looked content with a point.

SCORERS:
Jon Sanderson (5 min)
Will Yates (89 min)

MOM:
Will Yates