LOCAL FOOTBALL ROUND-UP: THE semi-finals of the LFA Cup proved a step too far for Rishton United Under 13s.

Rishton started slowly and trailed Ladybridge from Bolton 3-0. Rishton earned a lifeline when Kegan Dobson was brought down resulting in a penalty which was coverted by Niall Malone to make it 3-1 at half-time.

Ladybridge carried on pressing after the break and the final score was 7-1 to the Bolton side.

In the North Valley League, the Under eights ran out 5-0 winners over Pendle Forest Panthers.

The first goal came from a well worked move involving Sam Steer and Tom Stamp with Steer finishing it off.

Keeper Declan Mercer then saved well before Alexander Braysford made it 2-0 to Rishton.

The third goal came from a bit of a melee in the box, with Stamp smashing home.

Steer belted the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-0 at half-time.

After the break, a pass from Kyle Essery found second half substitute Ben Bleasdale who raced forward and finished off the scoring. MOTM was Myles Haworth.

The Under 11s lost 6-2 to Trawden Celtic. Rishton, kicking uphill, failed to take their chances in the first half and it was goalless at the break.

Kicking downhill they expected better in the second half but Trawden took charge and trailed 4-0.

Hayden Walker got his first goal for Rishton to make it 4-1 but the joy was short-lived as Trawden hit back. Tom Bartley got the score to 5-2 but then Celtic got their sixth. MOTM was Joseph Aspden.

The three senior sides played after weeks of inactivity. The firsts had a good 6-0 win against Cabin End; the reserves beat Worth Avenue 2-1 at Pleckgate, but the ‘A’ side suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Belthorn Dog Inn.

In the Accrington and District League, the boys and girls in the Under nines teams were beaten 5-0 by Mill Hill.

The Under 11s Blue lost 1-0 to Church in a tight game. MOTM was keeper Danny Cobbold who made some outstanding saves while Tom Bartley, Liam Clough and Keenan OCarroll were a threat.

The Under 15s were thumped 9-0 by league leaders and goal happy Belvedere. Liam McNulty and Hassan Acktar came close for Rishton. Referee’s MOTM was Scott Corbett and Rishton’s MOTM was Elliot Kinder.

OSSY RANGERS: The Under nines lost 3-1 against Mellor despite a fantastic goal and MOTM performance from Alfie Cook.

The Under 13s were defeated 8-0 against Crown Paints while the Under 14s drew 1-1 with a goal from Chris Seddon.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY LADIES: Stanley twice came from behind to earn a battling point against local rivals Haslingden- but it could have been all three.

Stanley fell behind,but bounced back to go in level at the break, with Dawn Haczycki embarking on a mazy dribble, before rifling the ball home.

They again went behind but responded well when Kiery Horne saw her corner cleared back to her, before looking up and flighting the ball over the keeper and inside the far corner.

Substitute Sarah Ronnan, making a welcome return after a long injury lay-off, was denied a winner by a miraculous save.

A point kept Stanley two points above their local rivals in the LFA Women's County League First Division, with two games in hand. Next up are runaway leaders Curzon Ashton at Wilson’s on Sunday, kick-off 2 pm.

CHURCH: The Under 11s won 1-0 at Rishton in a real end to end match.

The deadlock was broken just before half-time when Rishton failed to clear from a corner and Church substitute Aurie De Carteret sneaked in at the back post to toe-poke the ball over the line with his first touch of the ball.

There were some solid performances throughout, notably from defender Ryan Savage but joint MOTM’S were Zack Leigh and Cameron Ruggieri.

HUNCOAT UNITED: The Under nines lost 4-1 against Mill Hill Red while the Under 10s lost 3-0 to Knuzden on Saturday.

The Under 10s Allstars were 2-0 victors over bottom of the table Mellor. MOTM Jack Beech scored one with Taylor scoring the other.

The Under 13s battled back from 4-1 down to draw 5-5 with Darwen.

The Under 15s were 8-3 victors over Clitheroe Wolves on Saturday while the Under 16s won 2-1 against Great Harwood Rovers.

GREYHOUND FORD: This was the Under 10s first game for a long time and it was on a knife edge with Burnley West End just leading 1-0 at half-time. The second half started the same until the elements and tiredness kicked in and Greyhound got caught out with some good goals to make the final score 6-0. Referee’s MOTM was Joe Kirwin and the Manager’s MOTM was Kyle Mason.

ACCRINGTON GIRLS AND LADIES FC: The senior team faced Preston Rangers and had an opportunity to put the record straight having missed a host of chances the previous week.

The ladies had a superb start with two quick goals from Keira Atherton. Preston pulled one back and then Accrington took complete control with further goals from Jean Darby and Heather Bickerton.

Preston were always a threat with a lightening-fast forward but the excellent defence shackled her for most of the game to make the final score 6-3. Player of the Match was Heather Bickerton.