Colne earned a valuable point in a closely fought game against Longridge Town at the Haffners Stadium on Saturday. The Reds led through a single goal scored in the first half but Longridge grabbed an equaliser deep into injury time at the end of the game.
The game opened with some end-to-end play as both sides looked to attack and Colne’s keeper Harry Turner was soon in action as he dealt with some high crosses showing good handling in his goalmouth. While at the other end Matty Argent-Barnes’ cross was half cleared to Jack Holt and his follow-up was well held by visiting keeper Kier Barry.
Colne pushed forward after 18 minutes and a 25 yard free kick by Nathan Cliffe was turned over the bar with a good save by Barry. From the ensuing corner, Jude Entwistle rose above the visiting defence to head home a pinpoint cross by Alfie Walker and give Colne the lead.
Longridge looked for a quick equaliser with some good attacks but the Colne defence looked secure and with half time approaching the Reds almost doubled their lead when a through ball by Holt released Entwistle for a run on goal but keeper Barry did well to get down and knock away his firmly driven shot.
On the stroke of half time, Walker picked up his second yellow card for obstructing the keeper and was sent off reducing Colne to ten men.
Longridge looked to take advantage in the second half but Colne made some great chances on the break. Jordyn Fitton released Argent-Barnes on the left wing to get behind the visitors defence with some great runs and crosses into the penalty area. But on the hour, Longridge came close when Jack Anderton cut in from the right wing and fired a diagonal shot inches past the far post of the Colne goal.
After 75 minutes, Colne had strong claims for a penalty when Alex-Ray Harvey made an attacking run on the left wing and cut inside between two defenders where he was brought down in the area but the referee waved aside Colne’s claims. Five minutes later at the other end, Liam Atkinson got in a goal-bound shot on the turn which forced a great save from Colne keeper Turner. And a series of corners by the visitors brought further saves from Turner to punch away the high crosses.
After 89 minutes, Colne came close at the other end as Argent-Barnes cut inside from the left wing but blasted his shot over the bar from a great opportunity. Two minutes later, Colne went down to nine men when Harvey was sent off for a reckless challenge. And as Longridge attacked they snatched a dramatic equaliser when Atkinson’s low diagonal shot found the bottom corner of the Colne net despite the desperate efforts of the Reds defence.
Comments