Well what can I say after this stunning performance. How we can play so poorly against Whalley then completely outclass the runners up and double league semi finalists is a mystery and just sums up our Jekyl and Hyde season. We certainly controlled most of the game and the passing and movement was top drawer. We scored a terrific goal after 10mins, when Josh Corrigan finished off a stunning piece of attacking football with his usual efficiency. 5 mins later Paolo Passerini added a 2nd with a stunning headed goal, angling the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Nick Gunn addded a 3rd, finishng off another flowing move and Rossy looked down and out and totally spellbound by our play. We played out the remaining half totally in control of the game but got a bit sloopy near to the end and Rossy pulled a goal back. In the second half Rossy upped their game and we dug in and waited for the gaps to appear as they pushed forward. It was a bit cat and mouse for the first 20 mins but Will Tyrrell slammed in another of his specials for the 4th. and Rossy looked totally broken! The day was capped off with another top strike from Josh Corrigan with a glancing header, after a fine inswinging free kick from Jake Uttley. Late on Rossy added a second but was really a consolation goal, as the game was already won. Tom Waddington was given ‘man of the match’ by the opposition and well deserved but all the team played exceptionally well and on this form they are simply irresistable and a joy to watch!

This is the first time we have beaten Rossendale in two years and we completely outplayed them. We must though rue missed opportunities this year and poor fixture allocation and lack of regular games certainly disrupted our play. However we end the season on a high and have lost only 1 game in the last 8. Thanks to all the lads in the squad for their efforts during the season and also to Tony Holt, Mick Turner and Frank Anderson for supporting me as well. A big thanks to Judith Lamb for her contribution in the ‘background’ and also for the last 4 years, Judith is calling it a day and was the spark in keeping the team going during the dark days. Highlights of the season - our emphatic victories over Blackburn Eagles and Rossendale Utd, the quality of goals scored, we don’t do taps ins and the way that the players continued to develop as players. Season lows - our run of 4 defeats, when we should have won at least 2 of the games, our 6 - 2 mauling at Rossendale in the Cup and the stop start fixture allocation!

We now await info from the League about the format for next year and who may continue and possibly come into the U17’s league. Many are calling it a day and I am only aware that 3 teams in both our leagues are carrying on. The decision whether to continue can only be made once we get confirmation from the League and whether there will be enough in numbers. However this is secondary now as the lads prepare to take their GCSE’s in the next few weeks and will love me for reminding them off that! Good luck boys and will be in touch! Tim.

Wolves Under 8s 2, Langho Juniors Blue 1

CLITHEROE Wolves emerged deserved winners from a fiercely-contested cup final against a very good Langho side at Old Blackburnians.

Langho started the stronger of the two sides with the benefit of a strong wind behind them, but though they had much of the play, they never really threatened the Wolves goal. However, three minutes into the second half, Langho took the lead when a magnificent through-ball found striker Adam Bolton and he dispatched his shot under the goalkeeper.

Wolves equalised with an unstoppable shot from Elliot Watson to take the game to extra time, and only a wonder save from James Billington prevented the Wolves going behind again. But with three minutes remaining, Watson fired a left foot shot past the impressive Langho keeper to take the trophy.

It was a case of third time lucky for Langho Juniors. Having lost in the opening two Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and District Junior and Youth League cup finals, the Under 10s finally got their hands on the silverware. The Under Eights suffered the heartache of an extra time defeat against Clitheroe Wolves, while the Under Nines gave a good account of themselves against a classy Knuzden side, who clinched the league and cup double.

Old Blackburnians FC was the venue for the league first batch of finals and the maroon and blue of Langho Juniors was the stand-out colour. But it appeared Langho would end the day just feeling blue after the double final defeats before the Under 10s gave the club something to cheer about with a 2-1 victory over Burnley Belvedere.

Langho, who finished third in the league, started the brighter of the two teams and deservedly opened up a two goal lead with strikes from Charles Knott and skipper Michael Greenlees.
The rest of the team, managed by Neil Greenlees, included Max Blewitt, Sam Dobie, Alistair Holgate, Harry Russell, Ben Astery and Will Spedding.

But Belvedere’s second-half fightback, led by a goal from captain Ewan McAdam, summed up their season. Burnley, playing in the league for the first time, had a nightmare start to the campaign, but rallied to finish fourth in the table and reach the cup final.
The Belvedere side, run by Gary Carswell and Nick McAdam, included Joseph Spencer, Jamie Carswell, Liam Hall, Callum Cooke, Ewan McAdam, Kingsley Benson, Charlie Salisbury, Jack Banks, Matthew Thornton, Tom Comer and Keiron Payton.

The Under Eights final proved to be the best of the day - with not even the driving wind and rain dampening spirits.
The match appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot out with Langho and Wolves locked at 1-1, before the Clitheroe side snatched a last-gasp winner.

Knuzden Juniors proved to be just too good for Langho Blue, but they certainly gave it a go.
And if it wasn’t for a penalty save from Josh Newell with the score still at 1-0 then the outcome could have been a lot different.
As it was, goals from Taylor Hawcroft and Sam Pollard, made sure that Knuzden finished the season as double winners.
The all-conquering Knuzden team, run by Dennis Hill and Gary Almond, included Josh Newell, Harry Boyle, Tom Southern, Owen Almond, Bradley Boddie, Sam Pollard, Jaye Nelson, Taylor Hawcroft, Alex Curran, Oliver Cookson and Thomas Hill.

The Under 11s 9 v 9 final was also a real cracker, with Whalley Juniors running out 5-3 winners against Haslingden Juniors.
The Under 15s final will see Accrington Stanley play Burnley Belvedere, while the Under 16s final is between Lammack Juniors and Oswaldtwistle United. Both matches takes place at Rossendale FC on Sunday.

Once again we played our close rivals with key players missing and the allocation, or lack of allocation of fixtures, has been a crazy! We have only played 5 games since the middle of November and certainly looked disjointed at times in this match. Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations go to Langho’s mini-soccer teams - the three teams competing in the cup semi-finals have all won through to their age group cup final.

All cup finals will take place at The Old Blacks, Lammack Road, Blackburn on Sunday 20th April 2008. The kick off times are as follows;

Good luck to all Langho teams!

The draw has now been made for the Mini-Soccer Semi-Finals and matches involving Langho’s teams are as follows;

Please note change of date and venue for Under 8’s Blue.

The club would like to extend its best wishes to all of the Langho teams involved and if people are able to attend the matches, I’m sure the players would appreciate your support.

Langho Juniors will be holding their annual presentation night at Mytton Fold Farm on Monday 19th May 2008.

Due to the limited capacity at Mytton Fold Farm a separate Presentation Night for Langho’s Under 6’s & Under 7’s will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday 13th May 2008.

The club began it’s Spring Poker League on Wednesday 5th March 2008. The league consists of a series of tournaments held every week until the end of May. 

The entry fee for each weekly tournament is £5 and all monies will be awarded in prizes to the evening’s best-placed players.

Players will also be awarded points every week for their finishing position and the person with the highest points total when the league ends on Wednesday 26th May will be crowned “Langho FC Poker Champion - Spring 2008″.

Read the rest of this entry »

Langho Football, Sports & Country Club

present

‘The Craickers’

A fantastic four piece Manchester band playing Irish folk music, Celtic music, Rock & Roll and popular classics including;

• Whisky in the Jar
• Dirty Old Town
• Wild Rover

Doors open 8pm

Tickets £6 (includes supper) - contact wayne.howarth@sky.com or call 07976 968633.