Squires Gate ready to give supporters a festive 'football fix'

Squires Gate FC look forward to giving 150 football supporters a Christmas treat on Boxing Day.
Squires Gate play at home for the first time since October this weekendSquires Gate play at home for the first time since October this weekend
Squires Gate play at home for the first time since October this weekend
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Avro 2 Squires Gate 1: Narrow defeat on Gate's return to league action

That’s the number of spectators who will be admitted for Gate’s crunch clash at home to Longridge Town in the North West Counties League premier division (3pm kick-off).

Gate manager Luke Evans told The Gazette: “It’s great that we are allowed to have supporters in and can open the doors for some people to enjoy their football fix at Christmas.”

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It’s a big day on the field too, with Gate anxious for points after winning just one of their first eight league games.

Evans’ side were edged out 2-1 by high-flying Avro in Oldham on Saturday, a tough assignment for their first match since October.

The Gate boss added: “It’s been difficult because the lads weren’t able to train during November, then when lockdown was lifted the league voted not to restart until fans could return.

“We did play a couple of friendlies this month, one of them against the new Bury team which sold out, so that was a nice little earner.

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“But then when the league restarted we went straight into a difficult game at Avro, who are now level with the leaders (Warrington Rylands 1906, who Gate face next after Longridge).”

Only bottom club Litherland REMYCA have fewer points than Gate and Longridge’s three, though Saturday’s visitors to Marton have only played three league games.

Evans said: “Longridge have player fewer games than anybody but have had good cup runs.

“They are one of the best footballing sides in the legue but we can turn anybody over on our day.”

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More disruption to the season looks inevitable but Evans says his club will cope as best they can.

“We’ve had no Covid issues at the club,” he said. “Our captain Josh Westwood missed out because his girlfriend tested positive but he will be back for Saturday.

“It is tough because they have rearranged the fixture list and now we have Saturday-Tuesday games right through January.

“It isn’t a level playing field, but we’ll just get on with it as best we can and hope we can complete the season.”

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AFC Blackpool have no Boxing Day fixture but are at home to Garstang in first division north on Monday (3pm).

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