4pm 9 June 2024
Asian Image Championship, Quarter-Final at Witton Park, Blackburn
Preston 2 Blackburn Elite 4 (att 54)
Two years ago I watched an enjoyable semi-final in this competition, organised by the Asian Image newspaper for clubs in the north of England. That tie was on 'pitch one' at Blackburn's Witton Park, so I was left with 'pitch two' still to visit.
Today's quarter-final day was the perfect opportunity, with matches at 3pm and 5pm on one pitch, and at 4pm and 6pm on the other. I arrived not knowing which kick off times would be on pitch two, but it turned out to be staging the later games.
Confusingly, Preston FC (as they're billed by the competition organisers) were wearing AFC Preston shirts. AFC Preston, however, were in the 5pm quarter-final on the other pitch.
I can't find any trace of a Preston FC playing regular league football, whereas AFC run several teams, so it's possible they're both affiliated to the same club. There's no risk of them meeting in the later stages though, as this Preston were knocked out.
It was 1-1 at half time, but in the second half sharper finishing allowed Elite to pull clear. They'd established a 4-1 lead before a free kick gave Preston a consolation with the game's final kick.
The pair of 3G pitches at Witton Park are fairly typical. Pitch two is furthest from the car park and changing rooms, and has a spectator area along most of the length of one side.
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