THE future of a new six-a-side junior football tournament looks healthy after a record turn-out and plans are already under way to expand the event next year.

For the Ashbourne Healthcare competition -now in its second year - attracted a total of 42 teams from across East Lancashire in three different age groups and now organisers want to add another age group for future events.

As expected, the was huge local interest with teams from Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen taking part.

However it was teams from Blackburn and Darwen who contested all three finals which provided the finale to a day's fine but frantic football at the Anchor Ground, Darwen.

Each age group was split into mini leagues so every team had plenty to play for. In the under nines section, local favourites Akzo Nobel 'A' and 'B' teams reached the semi finals alongside Blackburn Boys and St Joseph's Blue.

And in two closely fought matches, Akzo Nobel 'B' overcame Blackburn Boys 1-0 while it was even tighter in the other clash with Akzo Nobel 'A' beating St Joseph's's Blue in a dramatic sudden death penalty shoot-out.

That set up a mouth-watering all-Akzo Nobel final and it was the 'A' team who proved just too strong, running out 1-0 winners.

Colne Clarets 'A' broke the Blackburn stranglehold in the last four of the under 10s competition as the qualified alongside Blackburn Boys 'A', Blue Star 'A' and AC Blackburn 'A'.

To get that far for each team was a feat in itself as they had to come through 11 tough leagues matches to qualify.

And there was no stopping Blackburn Boys relentless march to the final with a 1-0 win against Blue Star while AC Blackburn beat Colne Clarets by the same scoreline.

All the league matches were played eight minutes one way while the final was played five minutes each way. However, the final failed to produce a glut of goals and again it was another tight affair with Blackburn Boys beating AC Blackburn by the only goal of the game. There was no shortage of excitement in the under 11s competition where Akzo Nobel 'A' experienced both the good and bad side of the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

After normal and extra time could not separate Akzo Nobel and Blackburn Boys in the first semi final, the Darwen side held their nerve to win the shoot-out 3-2 to book a final place against Blue Star who beat Huncoat United 'A' 1-0. The final produced another thrilling showdown but again there was a lack of goals and the game was at deadlock after extra time and a penalty shoot-out was to decide the last final of the day.

But this time Akzo Nobel were to suffer the heartache of losing on penalties as Blue Star won 2-0.

Blackburn Rovers club mascot Roar cheered on teams during the day and organisers said it was a huge success.

The event was organised by staff and residents at Birch Hall Care Centre and is part of Ashbourne Healthcare's plans to forge links between its residents and the local community.

Gill Entwistle said: "It was a brilliant day with a tremendous turnout considering this was only the second year we have run the event. Now we are planning to introduce an under 12s section for next year's event. I would like to thank all the staff and residents who helped organise the event and also the support of all the clubs who took part."

Anyone interested in taking part in next year's event should contact Gill Entwistle on 01254 762323 or 01254 760123.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.