THE annual Haslingden Sports Centre football tournament attracted teams from across the North West and beyond in a sell-out event.

Teams from Birkenhead to Bury and Morecambe to Manchester took part in a competition that has establ-ished itself as one of the best in the area.

The two-day football festival was for teams from under eights to under 16s - and honours were even between local and visiting teams.

Visiting teams dominated the younger age groups on the Saturday before East Lancashire sides restored local pride on Sunday.

In the Under 11s section, Manchester side Moston, beat Bamber Bridge in a penalty shoot-out.

Langho JFC reached the final of the Under 12s event but lost to a very good Victoria Colts side from Birkenhead.

Failsworth from Manch-ester beat Bridge Colts from Preston 1-0 in the Under 14s before Darwen Rangers were the first local side to win silverware, beating Silden JFC on penalties in the Under 15s.

On Sunday, Huncoat United Under Nines set the tone for local sides who won four of the five trophies up for grabs.

The Hyndburn side beat Prestwich Reds in the final before Padiham JFC and Rossendale Valley battled it out for local honours in the under 10s final.

And it was Rossendale who emerged victorious, winning 1-0 thanks to a William Foster goal.

Rossendale then went looking to clinch a double after reaching the under 13s final. But a big and powerful Moston Juniors side proved to be just too good.

But it was Huncoat who picked up their second piece of silverware on the day, beating Prestwich Heys in the Under 14s final.

Mill Hill then dominated the Under 15s section, rounding off the day with a 100 per cent record after beating another Moston Juniors side 2-0 in the final.

The event organiser, Stephen Haworth, said: “The tournament was a sell out weeks before the deadline and the teams that attended were all very well behaved and enjoyed the weekend.

“The standard of football was well above average with a mix of teams from as far away as West Yorkshire, Birken-head, Skipton and Morecambe. But the local teams Rossendale Valley, Whitworth and Bacup did the borough proud.

“We look forward to seeing them all again and more teams next year.”