Post by Kev Panther on May 6, 2013 7:40:48 GMT
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY AT SKELMERSDALE
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United’s league season carried on to the very last kick, but Ramsbottom United wished it hadn’t. Just as the game from which much was expected looked to be fading out into a 0-0 draw that would certainly have suited the visitors from East Lancashire, the large West Lancashire College crowd were treated to a thrilling finale, one that every bit reflected the agony and ecstasy that brings people to football week after week.
Ramsbottom began the day requiring a point to keep their promotion hopes alive with a place in the play-offs. Skelmersdale required a point to register a hundred in this famous season for them. By the end Ramsbottom had the play-off spot in the bag, but then fell foul to Skelmersdale’s team spirit and went home one place short of the play-offs. Maybe, significantly the same situation Skelmersdale finished last season in.
It was an even encounter with both teams sharing the few first-half chances. Ramsbottom’s best fell to Andrew Dawson in the third minute, but he put the ball over the Skelmersdale crossbar and other than a scramble in the 27th minute that was ended by a Sam Ashton save, that was their main goalmouth threat. For Skelmersdale, Adam Morning hot the side-netting after a Josh Hine set him up, then Mark Jackson had a header saved by Ramsbottom goalkeeper Grant Shenton after a Tom Hardwick cross created the opening.
After the break the game followed a similar pattern. Kenny Strickland making a superb tackle to deny the visitors Jon Robinson, while for Skelmersdale Mark Jackson had a shot saved and a Matty Hughes cross came very close to ending the Ramsbottom resistance.
The game completely changed in the 80th minute. Ramsbottom won a free-kick on the right and the ball was lofted to the far-post, Dawson lost his marker and drifted a header over the Skelmersdale defenders and inside the opposite post.
One thing that has been a hallmark of Skelmersdale’s play this season, is if you sting them, you are likely to suffer the consequences. Ramsbottom thought they had got the point they needed in the bag and went on the defensive, it was a fatal mistake.
Within two minutes Skelmersdale equalised. A Morning corner from the right went to the far post, Dale Wright headed it back across goal and Antony Hickey headed home from about 3 yards out.
Now instead of Skelmersdale being rocked by a goal it was Ramsbottom who were rocking and they looked a very worried team indeed.
Strickland saw a deflected free-kick go over the crossbar then Hickey hit the crossbar with a header, while any attacking intent that Ramsbottom had become a battle to play out time by the Skelmersdale corner flag.
In the second minute of added time, Skelmersdale worked the ball down the right-wing, the ball was worked into the centre and it dropped to Hughes some twelve yards from goal, he rifled the ball low into the corner and Skelmersdale’s 110th league goal of the season had brought the 102nd point. With it a whole welter of records, some of which having the potential to last a lifetime. The present generation of Skelmersdale supporters have something to boast to their grandchildren about now, too.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Strickland, Holden, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Wright, Hughes, Woolcott (Hickey, 69), Jackson, Hine (Phenix, 71), Morning Subs (not used) Burnett, Evans T., Field
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Shenton, Hulme (Evans K. 90), Dean, Stopforth, Dawson ©, Ayers, Smalley, Edghill (Kuba-Kuba, 90), Gaskell, Robinson, Spencer (Drew, 90) Subs Purcell, Pilkington
Referee: David Underwood
Attendance: 566
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United’s league season carried on to the very last kick, but Ramsbottom United wished it hadn’t. Just as the game from which much was expected looked to be fading out into a 0-0 draw that would certainly have suited the visitors from East Lancashire, the large West Lancashire College crowd were treated to a thrilling finale, one that every bit reflected the agony and ecstasy that brings people to football week after week.
Ramsbottom began the day requiring a point to keep their promotion hopes alive with a place in the play-offs. Skelmersdale required a point to register a hundred in this famous season for them. By the end Ramsbottom had the play-off spot in the bag, but then fell foul to Skelmersdale’s team spirit and went home one place short of the play-offs. Maybe, significantly the same situation Skelmersdale finished last season in.
It was an even encounter with both teams sharing the few first-half chances. Ramsbottom’s best fell to Andrew Dawson in the third minute, but he put the ball over the Skelmersdale crossbar and other than a scramble in the 27th minute that was ended by a Sam Ashton save, that was their main goalmouth threat. For Skelmersdale, Adam Morning hot the side-netting after a Josh Hine set him up, then Mark Jackson had a header saved by Ramsbottom goalkeeper Grant Shenton after a Tom Hardwick cross created the opening.
After the break the game followed a similar pattern. Kenny Strickland making a superb tackle to deny the visitors Jon Robinson, while for Skelmersdale Mark Jackson had a shot saved and a Matty Hughes cross came very close to ending the Ramsbottom resistance.
The game completely changed in the 80th minute. Ramsbottom won a free-kick on the right and the ball was lofted to the far-post, Dawson lost his marker and drifted a header over the Skelmersdale defenders and inside the opposite post.
One thing that has been a hallmark of Skelmersdale’s play this season, is if you sting them, you are likely to suffer the consequences. Ramsbottom thought they had got the point they needed in the bag and went on the defensive, it was a fatal mistake.
Within two minutes Skelmersdale equalised. A Morning corner from the right went to the far post, Dale Wright headed it back across goal and Antony Hickey headed home from about 3 yards out.
Now instead of Skelmersdale being rocked by a goal it was Ramsbottom who were rocking and they looked a very worried team indeed.
Strickland saw a deflected free-kick go over the crossbar then Hickey hit the crossbar with a header, while any attacking intent that Ramsbottom had become a battle to play out time by the Skelmersdale corner flag.
In the second minute of added time, Skelmersdale worked the ball down the right-wing, the ball was worked into the centre and it dropped to Hughes some twelve yards from goal, he rifled the ball low into the corner and Skelmersdale’s 110th league goal of the season had brought the 102nd point. With it a whole welter of records, some of which having the potential to last a lifetime. The present generation of Skelmersdale supporters have something to boast to their grandchildren about now, too.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Strickland, Holden, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Wright, Hughes, Woolcott (Hickey, 69), Jackson, Hine (Phenix, 71), Morning Subs (not used) Burnett, Evans T., Field
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Shenton, Hulme (Evans K. 90), Dean, Stopforth, Dawson ©, Ayers, Smalley, Edghill (Kuba-Kuba, 90), Gaskell, Robinson, Spencer (Drew, 90) Subs Purcell, Pilkington
Referee: David Underwood
Attendance: 566