The 3rds began the game with some early pressure but the first chance fell to the 4ths in the fourth minute when Adam McLoughlin brought a fine save from the 3rds goalkeeper.

Five minutes later the deadlock was broken as a great piece of vision from Andy Harrison found Max Rippington just outside of the area and he made no mistake with his finish after coolly rounding the keeper to put the 4ths into the lead.

The 3rds responded to the goal with a decent spell of pressure but failed to create any clear cut chances as the 4ths defence held their own. After a quick counter attack from the 4ths, McLoughlin found himself one-on-one with the keeper once again and comfortable slid the ball into the right hand corner of the net to put his team 2-0 up.

Brimming with confidence the 4ths flooded forward with another attack and after a delightfully delivered corner on 26 minutes, Jocobo Manso found himself unmarked in the six-yard box to head home and extend his sides somewhat shock lead.

With frustration now settling in, the 3rds maintained a good spell of pressure but yet again failed to create many decent chances. The 4ths took advantage when they hit the back of the net following some poor defending which allowed McLoughlin to latch onto a loose ball and neatly finish to make it a resounding 4-0 in the 39^th minute.

By this point the stuffing had been completely knocked out of the 3rds and there looked to be no way back, however a mix up in defence gifted them a goal in first half injury time. James Bonvini misplaced his pass straight to 3rds number nine Dennison who hammered home to give the 3rds a glimmer of hope.

The 3rds come out strong in the second half creating a number of chances but their opponents defended bravely, although it came at a cost as their influential midfield captain Josh Rice suffered a head injury and was substituted on 65 minutes.

After striking the cross-bar minutes before, it was Andy Bartholomew who reduced the scoreline to 4-2. A long shot was parried by the 4ths goalkeeper and the ball worked its way to Bartholomew for a simple tap-in and suddenly the comeback was on.

The pressure grew on the 4ths and in the 85^th minute Dennison get his second of the game from an in-swinging corner by substitute De Luka. However it was too little too late for the 3rds as the 4ths picked up a vital win against their league and university rivals.

Delighted 4ths Captain Josh Rice said: “We showed great character and kept going until the end. Our first half performance was superb and it shows we have the quality to win the league and now we are getting back up the table to where we should be”.

By Joe Angove

The game started off in scrappy fashion in the first 10 minutes, with the ball played a lot in the middle of the park, where both sides were finding it difficult to conjure up any sort of goal scoring opportunity.

UCLan were just starting to make their way into the game shortly after when a good ball played into the box from Lauren Close was met by the head of Kirsty Smith but unfortunately  the ball sailed just wide of the target.

This good spell for the home side didn’t last long when Liverpool’s  number 11 and star player broke forward down the left wing, drilled in a cross only for Laura Ross to let it trickle past her for an easy tap in and a one-nil lead.

UCLan nearly responded well when top goalscorer Caroline Gascoyne weaved past the Liverpool defence, only to lose possession at the vital moment.

The lead was doubled just before the break, as poor organisation at the back produced lacklustre defending from a free kick which was once again tapped home by the away side.

The second half started as it had ended with Liverpool notching a third, when the dangerous number 11 once again created havoc for UCLan by receiving a short pass from a corner and sweeping the ball into the top of the goal.

UCLan this time responded well from conceding and when a long ball was played down the Liverpool goalkeepers’ throat, miscommunication with the defender allowed Gascoyne to nip in, make it 3-1 and game on.

The glimmer of hope didn’t last long as Liverpool scored another two goals and the number 11 completed her brilliant hat-trick, with a tidy left foot finish and a scrappy tap-in after a weaving run.

Before the final whistle, Laura Ross was redeemed for her earlier mistake in goal after she replaced an injured outfield player and scored a cracking finish from 18 yards out, when once again the goalkeeper and defender had a nightmare at the back.

After the final whistle, UCLan’s captain, Stacy Partridge reflected upon the disappointing defeat by saying:

“We struggled for the most part, and we didn’t have our strongest side, however the girls did battle to the end.”

“We’ll have to start again, and train hard for the next game and hopefully get some players back.”

By Chris Kynoch

UCLan Women’s Football 1sts blew away Teesside University with a 6 – 2 victory at the UCLan Sports Arena.

Becky Grocott, Fiona Berry and Mel Bartley all got their names on the score sheet in a game full of chances which could have gone into double figures.

UCLan took the lead in the 14^th minute when Grocott converted from close range after Tallie Bright had beaten two players down the left-hand-side.

The lead should have been doubled in the 18^th minute when Mamz Emosivwe headed wide with nobody challenging her at the far post.

However, a second goal soon followed in the 21^st minute when Grocott won a free kick by the corner flag and Fiona Berry rose highest to head home Bartley’s cross.

Teesside almost responded in a matter of seconds when striker Jordan Atkinson volleyed against the post after finding herself in acres of space.

And winger Karen Jackson did pull Teesside back into the game on 26 minutes with a looping shot which gave stand in 2^nd team keeper Laura Miller no chance.

UCLan responded by restoring their two-goal advantage in the 32^nd minute after Emosivwe drew a free kick on the edge of the area. Bartley stepped up with a powerful strike that split the Teesside wall and found the far corner.

Grocott then added her second of the game in the 36^th minute with a close range finish following a neat flick-on from Bright.

Teesside should have replied a minute later but Hannah Ellis blazed over the bar with an open goal beckoning.

Grocott then had a hat-trick presented on a plate by Teesside defender Claire Streeter who headed straight to the unmarked striker for a tap-in.

There was some consolation for the visitors as Ellis made up for her earlier miss with a curling shot into the top corner of Miller’s net.

UCLan completed the rout in the 87^th minute as Grocott tucked away her fourth from Joanne Phelan’s through ball.

The four-goal striker said: “It felt good and it was good to win.

“I did not expect to score four goals in a single game.

“I have scored six goals this season and I’m aiming to get into double figures.

“I think my target is to get ten”.

By Sam Gilliland

By Dave Humphreys

Hello and welcome to “The Referee’s a Journo.” A look back at all things football from the man in black’s perspective.

Moor Park
UCLan SUL is back in full swing now with fixtures going ahead on both Moor Park and Ashton Park. Goals are flying in across both divisions with teams starting to assert themselves on the league. This makes for an exciting season across both divisions that will hopefully be hotly contested like last year.

From a refereeing point of view, it’s great to see more student referees! In my role as co-ordinator for the Moor Park league and as a referee, it’s been a great way to get to know new people, get along with the teams and start up some banter. At one point last year, I was the only student referee but this year we’re focussing on making the SUL a league ran for students by students.

This week though, I wasn’t in the middle so for the first time since we started the SUL, I took the opportunity to take in all five games and honestly, I missed my whistle! I know a as a referee that I miss being out in the middle as much as players who are sidelines miss being in the thick of the action! Hopefully I’ll be back on duty next week!

Just a quick footnote too! The University only has a certain amount of money and a certain amount of equipment, we do the best we can with what we’ve got. I take down equipment that I’m given by the SU. So please don’t start hurling abuse at me when I haven’t got what you need. We gave you pegs to use for nets last year and told you to keep them. You pay your money for the nets we give you, the corner flags, the referees. We provide pegs and footballs when we have access to them!

My game
Despite no game midweek, I was out in the middle last Sunday, Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy 1st Round as part of the LEP Sunday Football League. Under 18s games can prove to be tricky as there’s a lot of testosterone and emotions flying around all at once so even the highest tolerance levels are tested.

From a match control point of view, the game ran smoothly and there were no real flash points and there were some really talented footballers on show. Naturally, there was some whinging and moaning that comes with footballers from all ages and the occasional childish appeals and gripes towards me that I brushed aside with my Dad’s favourite line: “Act your age, not your shoe size!”

Now despite having the game under control for 90 minutes, it could have all gone badly after the first 15 seconds when something that all football fans enjoy seeing, the referee getting hit with the ball!

Yes, yours truly took it square and true right in the face from 4 yards. Now I don’t know if you’ve been out playing football in Preston on a Sunday morning before, but I can tell you it can be mighty cold and when a ball is coming for your chilly face at speed, there’s not much you can do except grin and bear it!

I did warn the offender jokingly that if he hit me again, he’d be cautioned for it!

Back home this weekend for an Everton Academy fixture which is always something to look forward to! Hopefully no collisions with the ball though!

Officials under the Spotlight.
It’s time again to look back at some of last week’s Premier League action with penalties being our focus this time out.

1. Norwich’s equaliser v Blackburn.
No doubt a game changing decision this one, Blackburn felt aggrieved after referee Anthony Taylor gave a spot kick against Steven N’Zonzi after he was judged to have handled the ball. Bradley Johnson whips in a centre, N’Zonzi goes up with two Norwich players and it could be argued he’s fouled in the process. In his appeals, the ball strikes N’Zonzi on the arm and Taylor points to the spot. For me there’s no intention to handle, as N’Zonzi doesn’t know where the ball is, therefore this is not deliberate handball and in my opinion – No Penalty.

2. Liverpool’s opening goal against West Brom.
On first look, I disagreed with assistant referee, Gary Beswick’s decision to put his flag across his chest and signal penalty to referee Lee Mason, but that is why Beswick is a Premier League assistant referee and I’m not!

What Mr Beswick sees and most of us don’t, is Jerome Thomas sticking his leg across Luis Suarez and taking out the tricky Uruguyan. If you don’t believe me, watch the slo-mo replays! I’d love to know your thoughts on this, but for me: Penalty.

3.Vincent Kompany on Kevin Doyle – City v Wolves
Stuart Attwell is on the Select Group of referees for a reason and proved it by correctly awarding a penalty and dismissing the Manchester City captain last Saturday.

As Kevin Doyle charges in for the rebound of Guedioura shot that proved too much for Joe Hart to handle, Kompany bundles Doyle over, denying him an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and is promptly dismissed and the penalty awarded. No questions about that one!

4. Szczesny’s yellow.
For me, Andre Marriner has been one of the best Premier League referees for the best part of a season and a half and he got another decision right here. The Arsenal keeper came charging out at Ashley Cole as he bombed towards goal and takes him out. Some would have rushed straight for the red card but I believe Djourou is about to come over and challenge Cole, plus there are three more men in red ready to prevent an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity. Graham Poll in his column, has suggested otherwise. One of us went to a World Cup, one hasn’t… yet, maybe!

5. Demba Ba: Hero to Zero, then back to hero again!
Two correctly awarded penalties here, one for either sides. The first one for Stoke City as Newcastle’s hero of the night Demba Ba charged into the back of Peter Crouch, Mike Dean had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Ba would make amends later on, dispatching Newcastle’s own spot kick as Robert Huth clearly pushed Leon Best to win a header. No arguments here either.

And finally…
Massive respect to Billy Sharp. The Doncaster striker played and scored two days following the death of his baby son. Are you watching Mr Tevez?

That’s it for this week! Would love to hear your thoughts on all things football. You can get me on Facebook, Tumblr and my more professional blog here. For all things SUL, my email is DHumphreys1@uclan.ac.uk

Thanks for reading!

Audley Harrison can sleep at night now.

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F1 fan collision- A daring fan ensures Sebastien Buemi is fully concentrating at a Red Bull event.

Rugby teaser- Prolong the feeling of ‘Rugby fever’ with an epic montage of the best nations in the world facing off.

Overhead kick- Eren Derdiyok lights up the Bundesliga with one of the most acrobatic goals you’ll ever see.

A cameo from Danny Mayor saw Preston North End make it six wins on the spin with a 2-1 win over Tranmere Rovers at Deepdale.

The young winger came off the bench to score the winner and his first ever league goal before returning after Paul Parry was dismissed.

Phil Brown was impressed with Mayor’s impact;

“That’s probably the best substitution I’ve made in my career.

“Give Tranmere credit, they threw the kitchen sink at us late on. They are a very dangerous team.

Brown did suggest that the opening penalty was questionable;

“I thought it was maybe a little bit harsh.”

His opponent number Les Parry concurred;
“There’s a reason we lost it, that’s obviously the referee.

“We showed a ten minute DVD of Mellor going down easy.

“He (Goodison) only put his hand on his (Mellor) shoulder. It’s not a penalty.”

The performance was slightly unconvincing and the visitors often upstaged their more illustrious hosts.

The bumper crowd of 17,821 were frustrated for long periods despite the success of ‘PNE day’.

It was Preston who took the lead against the run of play through a Graeme Alexander penalty.

Jose Baxter marked his debut after joining Tranmere on-loan from Everton when he was quickest to Lucas Akins’ deflected shot after it struck the post.

Once again, it seemed North End were under pressure in the second period, but Mayor finished coolly to seal the points and keep his side four points of Charlton at the top.

Tranmere spent long periods in control of the game and often threatened through the dangerous wide man Akins. As well as dominating his duel with Parry, Akins could have given the away side the league in the first ten minutes, but dragged his shot wide.

The winger’s direct, powerful runs took their toll on Preston and Parry entered the book after dragging him down early on.
Both sides traded blows throughout the half making little impact.

Undoubtedly, the best chance fell to Jamie Proctor. The youngster was put through one-on-one with goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams after a sublime ball from Paul Coutts, rounded the goalkeeper and fired over the empty net.

It seemed the first half would remain goalless until Preston were handed a penalty.

Neil Melllor controlled Parry’s chipped ball and was tripped by Ian Goodison in the area. Alexander sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the home side the lead ten minutes before the break.

They only just escaped with an advantage after Jose Baxter forced an excellent save from home debutant Andreas Arestidou, following strong play by Enoch Showumni.

Rovers continued to boss proceedings and they were deservedly level on the hour mark. Akins cut inside and his shot was deflected onto the post before Baxter tapped home.

The equaliser prompted Phil Brown to act and Danny Mayor was introduced five minutes later. His ten minute cameo proved decisive.

Preston were only threatening the Tranmere defence on the break, but that was enough to make the difference. Coutts surged into midfield before freeing the unmarked Mayor. The youngster showed composure to steady his nerves and slide the ball home.

It was to be one of his final contributions as he was sacrificed after Parry was dismissed. Akins managed to get one-on-one with the left-back and upended him again to receive a second yellow card and set up a nervy conclusion.

Tranmere bombarded the Preston goal, but the ten men found more space and had the best of the chances.

Substitute David Gray’s teasing cross almost caused Ash Taylor to head into his own net, while Mellor twice fired at Fon Williams after picking up Arestidou’s goal kicks.

Clarke Carlisle marshalled the defence well and North End held on for the points to keep the heat on at the top.

By Liam Geraghty

A clash with promotion rivals Sheffield United is the next fixture at Deepdale following a trip to rock bottom Leyton Orient.

The Men’s Football 3rds where left reeling after a poor first half cost them in a game that could have gone either way, but saw the side go down 4-2.

UCLan eventually succumbed to defeat at the hands of Liverpool Hopes 1sts but went down fighting in a heated affair, which saw several players from both sides booked. UCLan are now waiting to see who they could play in their relegation play-off to remain in the league.

The side didn’t get off to the best of starts for the Men’s 3rds as a defensive error allowed the home side to open the scoring. The hosts then made it two inside the first ten minutes with a deflected effort which left goalkeeper Ryan Wood with no chance.

After this bad start, UCLan began to settle down but, against the run of play, Hope were able to bag themselves a third with a well-struck effort from outside the box.

After going three down, UCLan began to attack and push numbers forward and this resulted in them being vulnerable at the back and a good counter attack from the home side made it four before half-time.

Immediately after the restart, UCLan got right back into the game with captain Declan O’Shea finishing a fine team move by beating two players and slotting home. The away side pressured further and a smart header from Richard Young was well saved from the home side’s goalkeeper. The resulting corner led to Liam Smith bagging a second to cut the deficit and a way back into the game. UCLan continued the intensity as they pushed for the third goal and a defensive lapse almost presented an opportunity, but they were unable to capitalise and the home team’s defensive recovered well.

Hope then had their first opportunity of the second half and forced a smart save from keeper Wood who did well to keep the score at 4-2. Good play between Richard Young and the impressive O’Shea nearly had UCLan’s third, but were denied by the post.

UCLan continued to test their opponents late on with Lew Barnes and Jamal Makki all going close, but it wasn’t to be and the hard work in the second half could not produce a comeback.

‘Our second half performance was terrific; it was just disappointing we couldn’t play that well in the first half. We deserved something out of this game the lads are gutted,’ said captain Declan O Shea.

With the 3rd team currently face a relegation play-off game to remain in the league, O’Shea added;

‘We all know who ever we play, we will have to play well to win. It’s been a mixed season we have shown glimpses that we are a solid team but need to perform well for the 90minutes.’

By Aidan Hampson

Torres Welcome Party- Here is Chelsea TV’s wincingly awful welcome to their new record £50m signing, Fernando Torres.  It kind of cheapens it, don’t you think?

Cricket Confusion- Confusion reigns supreme in the ODI between England and Australia.  England will need plenty of this at the forthcoming World Cup.

Kubica the best?- After a horrific crash at a rally left his F1 career in the balance, here is a video of the man that Martin Brundle claims is the sport’s number one driver.

Swing, low, Sweet chariot- Get behind England with a rousing rendition of Swing Low Sweet Chariot.  After all this is a tournament we can actually win.

A brace of goals from UCLan striker Joe Shelmedrine proved futile as Football Men’s 1st’s lost their fourth game in the league, against the University of Manchester 5-2.

It was top versus bottom going into the game, played at UCLan Sports Arena, and it was the visitors who ultimately took their chances in a highly tense game.

Manchester were most dangerous when their left winger was involved in the play, and after a narrow miss early on, ghosted in after losing his marker and duly slid the ball into the back of the net.

For definitive periods of time during the game, Manchester controlled the midfield, led by their captain who dictated the play in the middle. In turn he constantly utilised their #9 up-front, who possessed height and strength in abundance to prove a real problem for UCLan’s defence.

Two goals in two minutes from their striker dented the home side’s hopes of getting back into the game. The first came after a low cross from the right wing, which was flicked past UCLan goal-keeper Matt Bell.

The second came from UCLan’s lack of concentration from the ensuing kick-off, as the Manchester striker raced down the right wing.  Although his initial shot was well saved by Bell, the rebound fell to his feet for the second and decisive shot into the top corner.

UCLan valiantly came back from this however, with two goals themselves in as many minutes just before half-time. Shelmedrine managed to gain space after turning the defender in the box, and finished well with a low shot.

His and UCLan’s second was incredibly well-taken after a mix-up in Manchester’s defence left the ball being headed back to their keeper. Shelmedrine latched onto the end of it and effortlessly lobbed the oncoming keeper.

As tensions started to rise in the game, with both teams guilty of ill-timed tackles and bookings, it was Manchester who scored the next vital goal with their #10 scoring at the near post from a low cross.

The game was all over when the visitors got their fifth, after Paul Alexander brought down Manchester’s captain in the penalty area, allowing their striker to complete his hat-trick by duly dispatching the penalty.

“The score line didn’t represent our performance, and I’m gutted for the lads”, said Captain Luke Smith.

On losing so many games already, Smith stated: “When we stop creating chances, then we’ll worry.”

UCLan’s next game is away at Lancaster, as their aim to win their first game of the season continues.

By Ed Connolly

Two goals in the last ten minutes saw the Men’s 4ths throw away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 against Manchester Met 2nds

In a game marred by high winds at UCLan Sports Arena, Jamel John’s goal had looked to have secured all three points for the hosts, but a slick move and shot into the bottom corner gave the visitors hope a minute later.

A mix up between UCLan keeper Chris Anderson and his defender left the Manchester forward with the simple task of slotting into the empty net to secure an unlikely point.

As the hosts frustration grew, they were reduced to ten men in the last minute for kicking out.

Earlier, the visitors had taken the lead as a free header from the middle of the box slipped through Anderson’s fingers.

Goals either side of half time from Richie Sandham and Kyle Burton had put UCLan ahead before the late drama.

The game was always going to be a difficult affair with a swirling wind. Despite playing into the wind UCLan started the stronger, causing problems with several long throws.

Anderson was at full stretch to turn a shot around the post, as the visitors began to take advantage of the conditions, but the UCLan keeper was at fault for the opener minutes later.

The Manchester player was left in acres of space in the middle of the box, and although his header from a right wing cross lacked power, Anderson couldn’t hold on as it trickled into the net.

Despite the setback, UCLan continued to press, captain Mark Vincent coming close twice in quick succession.

His powerful long rang effort just went over the bar, before a header from a corner was cleared off the line.

The deserved equaliser came on the stroke of half time. Burton, who gave the visitors left back a torrid time all afternoon, went driving into the box before cutting back to Sandham to tap in.

After the break, with UCLan now having the wind at their backs, Anderson was caught out again within seconds. Rushing out to claim a ball which held up, allowed Manchesters striker to get there first and round the keeper, only for Mike Arnison to make a diving block to stop the goal-bound shot.

The home side took the lead two minutes later, a long ball over the top sent Burton clear. The defenders all stopped for offside, but Burton played to the whistle which never came and slotted in the bottom corner.

Manchester had the ball in the UCLan goal again, only for the effort to be ruled offside, much to the disgust of the striker who was subsequently booked for dissent.

When John slid in a third goal, reacting quickest after Sandham’s free-kick was parried by the keeper, a third successive victory looked to have been secured.

However, the defiant visitors never gave up and fought back to secure a point.

By Ciaran Thomas