Praise as '˜mini Barcelona' win Lancashire Cup

Ankers’ side saw off Barrow’s Holker Old Boys in style in the final with an emphatic 5-0 win thanks to four goals from hero Josh Hampson.

Jamie Elliot completed the scoring at the Lancashire FA’s Leyland headquarters and Ankers was over the moon with his squad’s display.

“We are all delighted. It’s such a massive achievement,” he beamed.

“For a junior side to win the Lancashire Cup is as big as it gets.

It’s basically our Champions League.

“On the day the lads were just incredible. They were like a young Barcelona.

“Some of the football they played was outstanding. It was a joy to watch. I’m just so proud of all the lads.”

Hampson was the star man with his quartet of goals, the first coming thanks to a long-range effort.

That early strike settled Poulton, and Hampson soon made it two before Jamie Elliot fired a well deserved third following a scramble in the box.

After the break it was a similar story, with Hampson completing his hat-trick straight from kick- off, latching on to a through ball from Declan Bond.

Poulton rounded off an imperious performance by the with a fine chip from the clinical Hampson.

And manager Ankers hailed his side’s whole Lancashire Cup campaign.

He added: “Our run to the final was incredible. We beat our friendly rivals BJFF, who won it last year, in the quarter-finals.

“Then we met the team who put us out last season, FC Striker, coming from two goals behind to win on penalties, so it’s a win we really deserve.”

Poulton now turn their attention to league action – the poor weather has seen them play just seven games so far.