Blackburn Sunday League plays first match on 3G pitch (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Sunday League plays first match on 3G pitch

11:10am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Sport By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

THE Blackburn Sunday League has written a new chapter in to its 41-year history by playing its first ever game on artificial turf.

And the league will use the 3G pitch at Darwen Aldridge Comm-unity College for the remainder of the season – and there are already plans to extend the arrangement in the future.

Darwen side New Gardeners will use the DACA pitch as their home venue for the rest of the current campaign.

Bill Maynard, the league’s fixture and results secretary, believe it is a step in the right direction – and he has the backing of the Lancashire FA.

The move follows New Gardeners using the Darwen venue for their recent LFA Sunday Trophy clash with New Farrington House.

“We have been in talks with Darwen Academy for some time about using the pitch as we believe this the way forward,” said Maynard.

“Although New Gardeners lost that cup game, the club, the league and those who came to watch were very impressed.

“We’ve come to an arrangement with Darwen Academy to use the pitch for the rest of the season and we are hoping to extend it over the next few years.”

Maynard said the mattered will be discussed at the league’s mid-season meeting and other clubs will be given the opportunity to use the pitch.

“If something like this improves the league and perhaps attracts more teams then we are all for it. We are already looking at using other 3G pitches in the area.”

Dave Burgess, chief executive of the LFA, said more and more leagues are using 3G pitches to fulfil league and cup games.

He said: “We get more and more request from clubs and leagues to use these 3G pitches and we welcome it.

“There is a two-fold benefit because not only do teams get to play on these surfaces, it also means grass pitches are not played on as much therefore gives them more time to recover.”

Gardeners got off to a winning start at the new home with a 2-1 win over Station – and manager Dave Berry is thrilled with the move.

“We are a Darwen team so to be able to play our home games in the town centre is fantastic.

“We have played a few games now on these 3G pitches and all the lads have been impressed – although, there are a few who still prefer to play on grass.

“I’ve told them they can do that in our away games!”

Ryan Walsh scored Gardeners’ first goal at their new home. Jason Ashworth headed a second but Gardeners were forced to dig in when Station pulled one back and Paddy Lauber was sent off.