One of the matches in play. A previously unpublished image.

The Burnley Express five-a-side youth football competition at Padiham got off to a great start on Monday evening, 10th May 1971, at the Padiham Pool car park, when a large crowd watched the first round in the under-15 section. Local referee John McNabb was in charge and the standard of play was surprisingly high.

Stonemoor Strikers A were too good for Wasdale Wanderers, beating them by three goals to one, in spite of an outstanding display by the Wanderer's goalkeeper. The strikers went down to Sabden, who netted two goals without reply in a later stage of the competition. The game between Bankcroft Wanderers and Read Juniors was a real cliff-hanger, the issue being finally settled by penalties with Bankcroft successful. Bankcroft however went down to the youngest team in the competition, St John's school, a team of very tricky 11-year-olds, by three goals to one. Padiham St John's YC were much too good for Stonemoor Strikers B, winning by five goals to nil, while Gawthorpe School recorded the highest score of the evening with an eight goal victory over Hapton Methodists. Sabden defeated Trinity Methodists by five goals to nil.
The semi-final will be played at Padiham Pool on Monday May 17th, where St John's School will play Sabden and Gawthorpe School will meet St John's YC.