Post by Kev Panther on Apr 17, 2013 12:32:46 GMT
FRUSTRATION SETS UP AN HISTORIC DAY FOR SKELMERSDALE ON SATURDAY
GOOLE 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United had a night of frustration at Goole’s Victoria Pleasure Grounds, a small army decamped across the Pennines to cheer United on to the three points they needed to become Evo-Stik Division One North Champions. However, clouds often have silver linings and this could well be a golden one as it means Skelmersdale will win the title if they can generate just a point at the West Lancashire College Stadium on Saturday against a Farsley team they defeated 5-1 in Yorkshire last week. It will be an opportunity for Skelmersdale to win their first Championship since 1970 at home, but more significantly will present a chance for the whole of Skelmersdale to celebrate the pride this remarkable team has brought to the town.
Skelmersdale came closest to scoring after only ninety seconds. Forward Gary Burnett collecting a pass on the right then riding what seemed like about four challenges before releasing the ball to Adam Morning who was cutting in from the left, he too dodged around a challenge then saw his shot hit the foot of the post.
It was to be a night of challenges, the Goole playing surface must be one of the bumpiest known to man and the struggling hosts have clearly developed a playing style that uses it to the best of their advantage. They allow visiting teams simply no rest at all, they are not a particularly skilful side but are very fit and dispute every inch of their windswept pitch, plus they have breaking up play down to an art form. Hence they can boast that they are the only team in the division that Skelmersdale have not beaten in one form or another this season.
Skelmersdale dominated possession, but chances were few indeed and before the interval Kenny Strickland saw a 25 yard free-kick go just wide, then home goalkeeper Neal May beat Burnett to a through ball, before Rob McIntosh agonisingly couldn’t get the crucial connection to a Morning free-kick.
After the break Skelmersdale had the strong wind at their backs instead of in their faces, but the game still had a similar pattern.
The half began with a Goole shot that went wide from Lawrance Hunter, but Skelmersdale soon restored the upper hand and in the 53rd minute Mark Jackson flicked the ball on only for the swift footed home goalkeeper May to again beat Burnett to the ball.
In the 69th minute a great move down the left resulted in Shaun Holden finding Mark Jackson, but his shot on the turn was saved at the foot of the post by May.
It was obvious before the end that it was not going to be Skelmersdale’s night, the travelling support remained in fine voice to the end and were a credit to the town, the players never stopped trying and but for a dubious offside flag they might have grabbed the vital goal.
What it does do is make Saturday a potential carnival day for the whole of Skelmersdale and they expect the biggest league crowd in a long time. The advice is come down to the West Lancashire College Stadium for 3pm on Saturday, it is 43 years since Skelmersdale won a league title and wouldn’t it be good to say you were there?
GOOLE: May, Hay, Hunter, Robson, Colbear, Allott, Baggaley, Wakefield, Towler (Hayward, 80), Law ©, Taylor (Jackson A., 83) Subs (not used) Green, Appleby
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Holden, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland, Hughes, Woolcott, Jackson, Burnett (Hine, 80), Morning (Phenix, 74) Subs (not used) Wright, Hickey, Evans
Referee: M. McGrath (Hull)
Attendance: 133
NB; Skelmersdale United are holding a Comedy Night in the Social Club at the ground this Friday April 19th, four top line comedians (including Greg Cook) plus the compare from Liverpool’s famous Laughterhouse Comedy Club Ste Porter. Entrance is £10 on the door including supper.
GOOLE 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United had a night of frustration at Goole’s Victoria Pleasure Grounds, a small army decamped across the Pennines to cheer United on to the three points they needed to become Evo-Stik Division One North Champions. However, clouds often have silver linings and this could well be a golden one as it means Skelmersdale will win the title if they can generate just a point at the West Lancashire College Stadium on Saturday against a Farsley team they defeated 5-1 in Yorkshire last week. It will be an opportunity for Skelmersdale to win their first Championship since 1970 at home, but more significantly will present a chance for the whole of Skelmersdale to celebrate the pride this remarkable team has brought to the town.
Skelmersdale came closest to scoring after only ninety seconds. Forward Gary Burnett collecting a pass on the right then riding what seemed like about four challenges before releasing the ball to Adam Morning who was cutting in from the left, he too dodged around a challenge then saw his shot hit the foot of the post.
It was to be a night of challenges, the Goole playing surface must be one of the bumpiest known to man and the struggling hosts have clearly developed a playing style that uses it to the best of their advantage. They allow visiting teams simply no rest at all, they are not a particularly skilful side but are very fit and dispute every inch of their windswept pitch, plus they have breaking up play down to an art form. Hence they can boast that they are the only team in the division that Skelmersdale have not beaten in one form or another this season.
Skelmersdale dominated possession, but chances were few indeed and before the interval Kenny Strickland saw a 25 yard free-kick go just wide, then home goalkeeper Neal May beat Burnett to a through ball, before Rob McIntosh agonisingly couldn’t get the crucial connection to a Morning free-kick.
After the break Skelmersdale had the strong wind at their backs instead of in their faces, but the game still had a similar pattern.
The half began with a Goole shot that went wide from Lawrance Hunter, but Skelmersdale soon restored the upper hand and in the 53rd minute Mark Jackson flicked the ball on only for the swift footed home goalkeeper May to again beat Burnett to the ball.
In the 69th minute a great move down the left resulted in Shaun Holden finding Mark Jackson, but his shot on the turn was saved at the foot of the post by May.
It was obvious before the end that it was not going to be Skelmersdale’s night, the travelling support remained in fine voice to the end and were a credit to the town, the players never stopped trying and but for a dubious offside flag they might have grabbed the vital goal.
What it does do is make Saturday a potential carnival day for the whole of Skelmersdale and they expect the biggest league crowd in a long time. The advice is come down to the West Lancashire College Stadium for 3pm on Saturday, it is 43 years since Skelmersdale won a league title and wouldn’t it be good to say you were there?
GOOLE: May, Hay, Hunter, Robson, Colbear, Allott, Baggaley, Wakefield, Towler (Hayward, 80), Law ©, Taylor (Jackson A., 83) Subs (not used) Green, Appleby
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Holden, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland, Hughes, Woolcott, Jackson, Burnett (Hine, 80), Morning (Phenix, 74) Subs (not used) Wright, Hickey, Evans
Referee: M. McGrath (Hull)
Attendance: 133
NB; Skelmersdale United are holding a Comedy Night in the Social Club at the ground this Friday April 19th, four top line comedians (including Greg Cook) plus the compare from Liverpool’s famous Laughterhouse Comedy Club Ste Porter. Entrance is £10 on the door including supper.