Bedians Bring McKeown Cup back to L&C

The McKeown Cup was introduced in 2022 as a match between the previous season’s league champions of the L&C and their close friends and rivals in the Lancashire Amateur League.

The trophy was first played for in 2022 and won twice by Moston Brook for the L&C and last year by Old Blackburnians FC from the LAL.

Bedians represented the L&C as league champions Salford Vics have moved to the Manchester FL and hosted the Final on their immaculate grass pitch against Rochdale St Clements from the LAL.

The Saints dominated the early stages and took a deserved 2-0 lead.

But Bedians were not to be denied as they upped their game and reduced the arrears with a clinical strike from Aldair Vitoliano just before the break.

They kept up their momentum and drew level with a soft own goal and took the lead through Micah Kalimback to have Rochdale rocking.

They were unable to prevent two great strikes from outstanding teenager Liam Wood who took Bedians clear at 5-2 and they held on to their lead to take the trophy from LAL Chairman Simon Lord, who is also the Chairman of Rochdale St Clements.

Match referee Mike Crump was presented with his Referee of the Year Award for the 2024-2025 season by L&C Chairman Mike Yates after the game which was a credit to both teams and their leagues for the quality of play and excellent conduct on the day.