2008–09 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
The 2008-09 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy (currently known known as the Cooperatives Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 120th since the competition's establishment in 1885. 28 clubs entered the competition and it is currently sponsored by The Co-operative Group.
The winners were Skelmersdale United, the fourth time they have won the competition.
Competing clubs
A total of 28 clubs entered the competition from six different leagues. The four clubs from the Football Conference each received byes to the second round.
- Conference National (one club) - Barrow
- Conference North (three clubs) - Burscough, Fleetwood Town and Southport
- Northern Premier League Premier Division (three clubs) - Kendal Town, Leigh Genesis and Marine
- Northern Premier League Division One North (seven clubs) - Bamber Bridge, Chorley, Clitheroe, Lancaster City, Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale United and Skelmersdale United
- North West Counties Football League Premier Division (nine clubs) - Ashton Athletic, Atherton Collieries, Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Bacup Borough, Colne, AFC Fylde, Nelson, Ramsbottom United and Squires Gate
- North West Counties Football League First Division (five clubs) - AFC Blackpool, Daisy Hill, Darwen, Holker Old Boys and Padiham
Early rounds
The first round matches took place in early October with the highlight being Northern Premier League Premier Division club Kendal Town comprehensively beating Padiham who play three levels lower in the football pyramid, 7–2. The second round saw a shock win when Burscough beat Barrow from three levels higher, 3–1 on penalties after a 3–3 on 23 December 2008. The quarter-finals saw a shock as holders Southport, who fielded a young side, crashed to a 1–4 defeat at home against Kendal Town, while fellow Conference North side Fleetwood Town also lost to lower league opposition at home with a 1–2 defeat by Radcliffe Borough. The semi-finals saw the highest placed team in the pyramid, Burscough, go out of the competition with a 2–0 defeat away at Skelmersdale United. While Radcliffe Borough also overcame higher league opposition with a 2–1 victory away at Kendal Town.
Final
The final was played at the Lancashire FA's headquarters, the Count Ground in Leyland on 31 March 2009 between Skelmersdale United and Radcliffe Borough. Skelmersdale United won their 4th and first trophy for over 30 years with little over 2 minutes left in extra time. Skelmersdale captain Michael White gave his team lead on 27 minutes from a Michael Crowder near post corner. Radcliffe equalised after 30 minutes when Gary Sampson made his way into the box squaring to Howson who duly converted. The score stayed the same till deep into extra time when Mark Houghton (playing in his second consecutive final) scored in the 118th minute so give Skelmersdale the victory.
First round
Twenty four clubs entered the competition in the first round, with the other four clubs all receiving byes to the second round - Barrow, Burscough, Fleetwood Town and Southport.
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Second round
The twelve winners from the first round were joined by the four clubs who received byes through to the second round.
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Quarter-final
The draw for the Quarter-final took place on 9 January 2009 at the Lancashire FA headquarters in Leyland.
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Semi-final
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Final
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Source: http://www.lancashirefa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/Co-OperativesChallengeCup/?tab=fixtures
Final rounds
Draw
Final
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