Sunday the 5th September saw AFC Lostock Hall take on Ingol Rangers which over the last 6 years has been a very intriguing fixture because Ingol have the ability to put out a cracking team. AFC Lostock Hall had a nearly fully fit squad to pick from on Saturday night and welcomed back Jon Sanderson from a 1 match suspension and Damien Dashti from injury. Will Yates had been rested for the fixture due to an on-going knee issue, Ben Yates cried off Sunday morning with a headache, and Alex Holland is still bopping away in a night club in Liverpool. Scott Ryding is getting nearer returning to the squad after a knee operation and Dave Campbell is recovering well after his op. B3 also missed the game after getting a call from his missus saying he had to go for a suit fitting for their forthcoming wedding. Kev Nuts also asked could he miss the game due to an appointment he had with his pit after working Sat night at Blockbuster.

Before the kick AFC management stressed how important it was to get back to winning ways and that the importance of playing like a team instead or arguing and blaming each other. We stressed that the league is far from over and that we need to put some solid performances in to reassert our position as one of the top teams in the league. Secretary Barry Roberts has been giving the management a hard time of present and has threatened the P45’s will be out should AFC Lostock not start picking some points up.

With a nearly fully fit squad Tat and Tugs decided to change the team round to a more solid and attacking unit which meant, Roddy, Edmeads, Dash, Jon and Baldwin all came into the starting line up from the team the started the previous game against New Farry House.

The game kicked off with AFC Lostock attacking the Anchor end and both teams made a good solid starts and the opening 15 minutes didn’t see any team create any meaning full chances as both defences stood strong. Jon Sanderson and John Stead worked hard upfront trying to keep hold of the ball and both wingers Roddy and Edmeads gave a very good shape to the Lostock midfield. The new look defence of Dash (right back) who was having a torrid time with the journey man Easty getting inside head and somewhat putting him off his game, Jake left back and it was good to see him back in the team. Louie and Greeny made up the centre of the defence. As the half progressed the AFC midfield two of Jamie and Fish started to get on top winning the majority of the first and second balls and Lostock were enjoying a prolonged spell in the Ingol half and on 30 minutes the first goal came, a corner lashed over by Edmeads was headed in at the far post by Fish, the lads all congratulated him. 5 minutes later it was 2, a through ball by Fish left John with just the keeper to beat and he duly obliged by chipping him from 25 yards, 2-0 and AFC Lostock were now in control. Another flowing move by Lostock ended up with Roddy putting over a great cross and the Ingol centre half punched the ball away, up stepped Edmeads to make it 3-0 and give the Ingol keeper with no chance with the spot kick, his second in consecutive games. With a couple of minutes before half time AFC Lostock had another corner which Ingol cleared, and Louie somehow failed to control the ball which left it 2 on 2 and a slip by Dash gave the Ingol striker a chance to shoot which was saved by Jim, but the re-bound came back out to him and the forward squared for his strike partner to tap in at the rear post. The whistle went for half time, 3-1 to Lostock.

At half time Jim stressed that we don’t leave ourselves open at the back again, Jim has been an outstanding signing for AFC Lostock this season and he has more than plugged the gap left by Lee Dovey.

The management made 1 change during the half time period by bringing on Alex Randell for the injured Jamie.

The second half started with Alex getting floored by a reckless tackle and AFC Lostock took 5 minutes to get back in control of the game and were now looking like they were enjoying the game, John was making a real difference upfront with his runs, hold up play and fitness and the Ingol defence really had no answer to him. The 4th AFC Lostock goal came on the 55 minute, a free kick floated in by Edmeads which left Fish to challenge the keeper and he headed it over him for 4-1 and his second of the game. At this point AFC made the second change by bringing on Charles at left back for Jake, Charles sat in at left back and continued to look for his penny. Charles was soon into the action playing a couple of neat little passes with Randell who was in the thick of the action. AFC Lostock were now in total control and on course for a well needed 3 points and the 5th goal and hatrick from Fish came on 70 minutes, another great move involving Roddy and John gifted Fish the perfect chance to score his 3rd, which he did, then he got injured and had to come off for Pikey who entered the game at left wing. With 10 minutes to go the impressive Randell completed the scoring with a 30 yard chip which really gave the Ingol keeper no chance and the AFC Lostock faithful gave a tremendous around of applause for truly great goal. The final whistle went and AFC Lostock had won 6-1. The man of the match performance once again went to Fish for a great performance and 3 goals.

Managers View

It was a very good fixture for us to get back to winning ways and I am pleased with the attitude shown by everyone of the players today, we never gave up and having a nearly fully fit squad helped. We showed a lot more quality today in the final 3rd and we need to keep this level of performance up. I hope we can build on this now because we have some tough fixtures coming up including the Lancashire and Challenge Cup so we need to be in good form. We play Greenlands away next Sunday and we always have a very tough game against these and I expect nothing different.