Great Harwood 2 Haslingden 4

Following 3 good performances Great Harwood were brought back down to earth with a bump against Haslingden.

The team couldn’t seem to get going at all and were 1-0 down from a deflected own goal and then further behind with a series of errors with the defence unable to clear the ball successfully. Early substitutions were made which sparked some enthusiasm and life into the team and Great Harwood began to make some chances as the whistle blew for half-time.

At the start of the second half things looked more promising and Haslingden’s lead was reduced thanks to a well taken Arron Phillipson goal, then a George Carter cross set up new signing Robbie Middleton who scored his first goal of the season. The game could swing either way and it looked likely that Great Harwood were going to go on and win the match.

But despite taking the initiative and continue to boss the game, the lads held back and allowed Haslingden to get forward and they retook the lead with a good shot and extended the lead late on in the game.

All throughout the game the lads were quite poor though as a team and deserved to lose even though on paper it was a match they could comfortably have won.

George Carter had a solid game, as did Arron Phillipson and Reagan Bolton with Danny Smith once again chosen by the opposition as Man of the Match.

Next week will hopefully see the lads pull out a good performance; win, lose or draw every player has to give 100% in this league.

 

Huncoat United 1 Great Harwood 2

Great Harwood make it two wins out of the last three games to move clear of the relegation zone.

On Remembrance Sunday, this was largely a forgetful game and was a scrappy battle on a narrow pitch. It was Huncoat that came out most determined to get themselves off the bottom of the league and dominated most of the first half, only some wayward finishing and decent Great Harwood defending kept the game at 0-0 going in at half time.

The second half started better for the green and whites and they were soon ahead thanks to a cross-shot by winger Ronan Dobson catching the keeper off his guard, the ball sailing into the far corner. This sparked some life into the game as Huncoat chased an equaliser but Great Harwood counter attacked well, Joe Blackledge, Jack Hargreaves and Danny Smith going close to extending the lead. It was Joe Blackledge who did extend the lead with a great turn and finish to make the game look more comfortable at 2-0.

Huncoat clawed back a goal in the last 5 minutes through a penalty but Great Harwood dug in to make sure of the three points.

Arron Phillipson was Man of the Match with another tireless display proving he is one of the best players in this league.

Keep it going lads. Your hard work is paying off and will continue to do so as you pick up more points and climb the league table.

Brierfield Celtic 2 Great Harwood 1

Great Harwood were narrowly beaten by top of the league Brierfield Celtic in a great game of football.

Brierfield came into the game with a 100% record and Great Harwood were in a buoyant mood after last week’s victory, so the signs for a excellent game were looking good.

It was Brierfield who started off on the front foot; a very strong and powerful team attacked in the first 10 minutes only to be denied by keeper Marc Smith and a solid looking back 4. On 15 minutes Brierfield took a deserved lead with an unstoppable shot and this seemed to kick-start the Great Harwood lads into action. Winger Ronan Dobson, with midfielders Jack Hargreaves and Marcus Robinson getting to grips with the game and setting up several good chances for Joe Blackledge and Arron Phillipson, both going narrowly over the bar with brilliant efforts.

A typical Ronan Dobson mazy run out wide on the right ended with a pin-point cross for Joe Blackledge to slot in a fabulous finish from close range to bring the game level at 1-1. Great Harwood were in the ascendancy and half-time simply came at the wrong time for the green and whites as they looked to increase their lead time and time again.

The start of the second half saw a rejuvinated Brierfield side come out after a tough team-talk by the Manager, and it was they who once again took the lead from a corner. Great Harwood went close several times late in the half, particularly Brad Allen glancing an Arron Phillipson free-kick agonisingly wide.

The game ended with loud applause from both sets of supporters. It was a cracking match to watch but unfortunately for the Great Harwood lads there was nothing to reward them for superb efforts from every player. On another day, that would have been a good win.

Ronan Dobson had his best game of the season so far, Arron Phillipson and Dominic O’Brien put in tremendous performances and Danny Smith was immense at the heart of the defence culminating in his 5th Man of the Match performance of the season.

They need to dust themselves off for next week when they play Huncoat United away. If they continue to play like they did today I see a comfortable 3 points in the bag from this game.

Keep going lads. A narrow loss to the league leaders is no disgrace and in all honesty you were the better team today and are showing you are one of the best teams in this league.

Scancapture on YouTube

 

We’ve finally uploaded our wonderful corporate video to YouTube for all to see. Click on the play button above to see our team in action.

Scancapture shortlisted for Lancashire Telegraph’s Business Awards 2011

The team at Scancapture are celebrating after being shortlisted for the Lancashire Telegraph’s Business Awards in the Small Business of the Year category.

This year Scancapture relished the opportunity to expand and grow. In the last 12 months, we have invested in a rigorous recruitment drive, acquired new luxury premises, upgraded systems, innovative new computer software and hardware.

The company invests in all aspects of our business to ensure we continue to provide the best possible service to all of our customers. Staff development is no exception, not only because we believe in it but also because we are in the staff satisfaction business and its crucial for us to get it right. Managing Director Steve Smith has completed the LEAD programme this year, which aims to develop managers and improve their performance.

Earlier this year, Scancapture were shortlisted for the Digital Business of the Year for the Red Rose Awards.

Scancapture will find out whether it has been successful when the winners are announced at Ewood Park on 11th November during the prestigious awards evening.

Great Harwood 3 Langho Juniors 2

Great Harwood came out on top in a five goal thriller against promoted team Langho Juniors.

Needing to get points in the bag this season it was important that the Great Harwood lads showed some grit and determination as well as the flair and technical ability they have shown over the first 3 defeats this season.

With a full strength squad to choose from for the first time this season manager Nigel Sutton picked an attacking line-up with captain Jack Hargreaves playing just off front man Joe Blackledge. After an end-to-end first 10 minutes Blackledge had 2 chances to put the home side ahead. He was finding his range and Great Harwood went one up following good work out on the right, Blackledge finishing well. Within 5 minutes Blackledge extended Great Harwood’s lead as confidence grew. Closing into half-time Arron Phillipson struck a trademark freekick high into the roof of the net to make the game look comfortable at 3-0.

However on the stroke of half-time it was Langho who clawed a goal back. A fantastic shot was hit by Langho’s forward and despite keeper Marc Smith getting a hand to the ball, it nestled into the corner. Game on.

Langho came out more determined in the second half and some resolute defending by Karl Sutton, Danny Smith, Dominic O’Brien and George Carter held the opponents at bay until late on in the game when the deficit was reduced after a good finish.  A few nervous moments followed when both sides went close but the game was ground out and the first points of the season go to Great Harwood. The lads now should see this as the kick-start to their season, some more competitive games are to follow over the next four weeks where more points are there for the taking. If all the lads continue to put in 100% like today they will pick up more points and more good wins.

Man of the Match was given to Marcus Robinson for a tireless midfield display. Jack Hargreaves had a positive game in the “Scholes” role just behind the main striker.

Great Harwood 0 Whalley Juniors 2

Great Harwood suffer another league defeat following a frustrating and difficult encounter with Whalley Juniors.

Both teams started well and had chances to take an early lead, Joe Blackledge going narrowly over with a shot from the edge of the box and Jack Hargreaves hitting wide following a good solo run.

But it was Whalley who went ahead with a stunning strike from out wide on the right. Great Harwood tried to get back into the game but nothing was working and often the lads resorted to long balls for the forwards to chase. Whalley’s centre-backs were easily mopping these up and cleared every attempt with some ease.

In the second half we saw more of the same; the midfield of Whalley winning a large percentage of the ball and their defence comfortably dealing with any attack from the home side. Following a defensive mix-up Whalley extended their lead and the game was over soon after.

The lads really need to knuckle down now and start playing the football that won them the league last season. Confidence will return and we will start picking up points. A lot of players have had to make necessary positional changes this season which has obviously unsettled some of them.

Jack Hargreaves had a good game in the centre of midfield, then reverting to centre half. Man of the Match for the third game running was right back Danny Smith.

Next week sees a return to the Lancashire FA Cup; this 2nd round fixture sees the boys pitted against last season’s finalists South Shore FC who are storming their own league with 4 wins out of 4 and a hat-full of goals. We are certainly going to need to be at our best to get anything out of that game.

Pro Future 7 Great Harwood 2

Great Harwood suffer another league defeat following a bruising battle with league title favourites Pro Future.

The second game of the season in the top division was always going to be difficult against a hand-picked team of players chosen from Football Academies from around the area but the lads started well and almost opened the scoring when striker Joe Blackledge shrugged off his marker and looped the ball fractionally over the bar.

However, it was Pro Future who opened the scoring from a soft penalty and then dominated the game for a 10 minute spell. The defence and keeper Marc Smith worked hard to keep the lively forwards at bay and following a corner the returning Jack Hargreaves headed the equaliser from a great corner. Pro Future were soon ahead again following some nice work through the middle of the pitch, and extended their lead with a good finish from distance. Just before half-time Arron Phillipson delivered a fantastic free-kick from his own half which beat the keeper into the roof of the net to bring the lads 3-2 down at half-time and the game was all to play for.

Pro Future stepped up a gear in the second half and as the Great Harwood lads tired from their midweek game and some horrific challenges which went unpunished by the referee the game fizzled out with more goals from the ex-Academy players and finished 7-2.

A lot of the lads are playing in new positions this season and this will take time to re-adjust to but with confidence, belief and determination they will get back to their best in the next few weeks and will start picking up league points.

Danny Smith earned his second Man of the Match award in successive games following a decent performance today, but in truth none of the lads played at their best and were punished by a good side. Jack Hargreaves, Dominic O’Brien and Karl Sutton put in good shifts and worked hard.

Keep it going lads – things will come good soon and you’ll start picking up points.

Great Harwood 1 Brierfield Celtic 4

Great Harwood started off their league campaign in the top division and were beaten by Brierfield Celtic 4-1.

Missing last season’s captain Jack Hargreaves and top scorer Connor Mahoney who were both trialling for professional contracts with Accrington Stanley FC, an opening fixture against the current Cup holders Brierfield Celtic was going to be a tough fixture and Brierfield took a commanding two goal lead early in the first half with close range finishes.

Great Harwood dug in and were almost back in the game as Joe Blackledge fired just wide after a good run down the left hand side. Approaching half-time Brierfield scored again to make it 3-0 to kill off the game as a contest.

Great Harwood came out for the second half with more commitment and started to win more of the ball in midfield; Dominic O’Brien starting to find his feet and tackling well and setting up several attacks for the home side. From one such attack, full back Danny Smith picked up the ball just inside Brierfield’s half and ran at the heart of the defence, out-pacing one defender and shrugging off another he was clean through on the impressive keeper to coolly slot the ball home into the far corner to reduce the deficit.

However, it was too little too late to get back into the match and a 4th goal was scored by Brierfield near the end of the game directly from a corner after sloppy defending left the scorer unmarked in the 6 yard box.

There was a lot of determination and effort put in by all the lads which pleased Manager Nigel Sutton. Dominic O’Brien, new captain Arron Phillipson, Joe Blackledge, Scott Sykes and George Carter all worked tirelessly and goalscorer Danny Smith was awarded Man of the Match.

 

 

Mill Hill 1 Great Harwood 5

Great Harwood round off a fantastic season with a polished 5-1 win over Mill Hill to take the league title by 5 clear points.

Another bright start saw Great Harwood break from kick off, some superb wing play by Connor Mahoney crossing perfectly for Joe Blackledge to volley home to make it 1-0. Five minutes later the same move down the left was played, this time for Bradley Allen to cross for Joe Blackledge to stab the ball in from 6 yards.

A rare breakaway for Mill Hill gave some hope as Great Harwood made several changes and while the defence was settling down the Mill Hill forward finished well to make it 2-1.

This meant the lads had to step up a gear and they did in some style. A few slick interchange passes set Connor Mahoney free on the left who crossed for George Carter to net from just inside the box. From a corner Joe Blackledge hit the post which rebounded for Scott Sykes to calmly slot the ball into the far corner. Team Captain Jack Hargreaves finishing the last goal of the game at 5-1 and the last of 126 league goals of the season.

Leading scorer Connor Mahoney worked hard today and set his team mates up with chance after chance earning him Man of the Match.

A brilliant end to a brilliant season. I know the management and parents are really forward to next season already!

Well done lads, each and every one of you should be immensely proud of what you have achieved this season.