Monday 31st August 2026 ko 11:00

West Lancashire League Premier Division

HASLINGDEN ST MARYS 2 (Anderson 12 Halwey 82)

LOSTOCK ST GERARDS 2 (Gainge 19 Markland 23)

Att 315

Entry £5

Programme £2

Attending a hop game at Haslingden St Marys was a little unusual. For a start there was a question of which club we were watching. It wasn’t the Haslingden that were a North West Counties League team from 1993 to 1998 at Ewood Bridge, in Rossendale a ground later used by Stand Athletic and now derelict.

Haslingden St Marys date from 1887 and play at South Shore Street in the centre of the village. That did cause a few issues, the ground is tucked away downhill in narrow streets in a housing estate. It was chaos there, and that was despite the club putting out a request for everyone to park at a nearby industrial estate. We headed there, and parked easily and legally, and it was a 2 minute walk to the ground. I know I harp on about planning and preparation on these events, but perhaps I should add on getting attendees to heed good advice too? Haslingden got it absolutely spot on here.

It was just as good once you got into the ground, despite the intermittent rain. Half the fun of these events is taking half a step back from what’s going on a feeling the buzz about a place seeing 7 or 8 times their normal attendances. Boy did the club work hard and I hope they reaped the rewards for all that effort.

We got a good game too; I’ll never criticise any game where both sides have led, but in this case I do wonder if Lostock will wonder how they didn’t manage to take the win? Robyn and I strolled back to the car, and let those who hadn’t heeded the parking instructions sort out how they were going to get to our final game of the event. There did seem to be an almighty jam…