On the eve of Valentine’s Day, there were a few hearts in mouths in the SportsReach League today as all three fixtures were closely contested affairs.
With Lancaster vs Fleetwood postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Longton had the chance to go top if they could beat Loko. On a heavy pitch in a highly competitive game, the scores were locked at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go before a later flurry from the home side secured a 4-2 victory – thanks in large part to a brace from midfield veteran Pete Stephenson.
Elsewhere, Garstang and Quernmore played out a 1-1 draw on Heysham’s 3G pitch. The home side scored through Kriss Case with Quernmore’s equaliser coming from winger Ryan Burrows – his 8th of the season.
The remaining fixture saw Fulwood and Wray share eight goals in an epic encounter. The home side were minutes away from their first victory of the season, only to be denied by two late goals. Calum Alexander (Fulwood) and George Ibbetson (Wray) were the stars of the show; both notching a hat-trick.
Results – 13th February 2016
Longton 4-2 Loko
Danny Stephenson 25, Pete Stephenson 70, 83 Gregg Metcalf 75 // Leeroy Carradice 62, Brad Rodwell 89
Garstang 1-1 Quernmore
Kriss Case 9 // Ryan Burrows 28
Fulwood 4-4 Wray
Matt Vjestica 2, Calum Alexander 34, 44, 62 (pen) // George Ibbetson 8, 14, 76 George Whitaker 88
Lancaster P-P Fleetwood
