THE Lancashire Amateur League’s representative side, managed by Old Boltonians’ Steve Eccleshare travelled to Newcastle Town FC to pit their wits against the Staffordshire County Senior League in the first round of the FA Inter-League Cup.

The competition comprises leagues at step seven of the pyramid, plus leagues entering by invitation, which applies to the Lancashire Amateur League.

The LAL squad was made up of six players from Old Boltonians, brothers Zak and Adam Ahmed who play for Bolton Wyresdale, Little Lever’s Craig Bingham and five from Premier Division champions Failsworth Dynamos.

The LAL team were not helped by outside influences dashing their best-laid preparations, as the coach did not show, news eventually reaching the squad that it had broken down.

Making the journey in cars the LAL squad had to abandon their planned pre-match meal and arrived at Buckmaster Avenue just 45 minutes before kick-off.

Despite the incessant rain in Newcastle-under-Lyme the pitch was in great condition throughout, and after mementoes were exchanged pre-match the game started with the LAL starting slower than their hosts.

A header from a corner in the opening 15 minutes, followed by a second goal going in almost immediately after, left the LAL with a mountain to climb.

Several great saves from Old Boltonians’ Corey Hemsley-James in the LAL goal kept the visitors in touch, and there was an energetic performance from Zak Ahmed.

However, the only chance of a revival came from a penalty shout just before the interval, with the referee deciding the foul took place just outside the box.

And the Staffordshire goal remained unbreached, with the visitors failing to capitalise on a chance to pull one back with a goal from a set-piece.

Three further goals from the Staffordshire League saw the LAL dumped out of the competition with a 5-0 defeat and they returned home dejected.

A spokesman for the league said: “In the end, we were well beaten by a very good side.

“Congratulations to all for their efforts and willingness to play football on an excellent surface, which held up extremely well despite the rain.”

A chance for the league’s representative side to make amends comes quickly with an away game at the Liverpool County Premier League on Tuesday.