Post by Kev Panther on Aug 26, 2013 10:46:42 GMT
SKELMERSDALE HELD TO A DRAW
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 ASHTON UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United were left a bit frustrated after Saturday’s draw with the men from East Manchester. Tommy Lawson’s men didn’t convert a penalty but still went a goal up, but then after looking comfortable at the back they lost central defender Tom Hardwick with a stomach injury, Ashton struck within seconds and Skelmersdale had to chase victory again. An aim they would have achieved but for a magnificent save by Ashton goalkeeper Paul Phillips in the final moments of the match.
The only thing that the first twenty proved was that there were not going to be a lot of goals in the game, both defences looking solid.
Skelmersdale got the first chance in the 24th minute. Kenny Strickland lofted the ball to the edge of the Ashton penalty area, as it bounced Gary Burnett lifted over Phillips and set off in pursuit, only his path was blocked by John Hardiker and a penalty was awarded, but sadly from a Skelmersdale perspective, Phillips managed to parry away Matty Hughes’ spot-kick.
Hughes is a lively character and it took him only eight minutes to get his revenge on Phillips. Alan Burton pushed the ball to him from midfield, the Skelmersdale number seven, spied a gap and drilled a shot from about 18 yards low into the Ashton net, this time leaving his nemesis Phillips a spectator.
Before the interval only a fine intervention by Ashton’s Jamie Tandy prevented Hughes from again netting from a Joe Holt cross and Ashton had their best effort to date with a dipping 22 yard shot from Gary Gee that in truth Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert looked to have covered.
Ashton came out after the break and pressed Skelmersdale even harder than they had done in the first-half, but again were making little progress, that is until the 57th minute, when Skelmersdale’s Hardwick clashed with Ashton’s Kayde Coppin near the halfway line. Hardwick had to go off for treatment (he was not to return) and while Skelmersdale were reorganising, Ashton struck. A throw-in on the left saw the ball worked squarely across the pitch before it was prodded through the Skelmersdale back-line to Martin Pilkington, who supplied a textbook finish from 15 yards.
The game continued in its strangulated form, though this time Skelmersdale were on the offensive and Ashton were determined to hang onto their point.
Skelmersdale managed two opportunities (Ashton didn’t manage anymore at all),
One saw a Dale Wright shot from 20 yards go over the crossbar, the second though brought another superb save from Phillips, Hughes weaved circles around the left side of Ashton’s defence earning him the Paxsport Man of the Match award, then crossed into the six-yard box, Wright got a running header firmly on the ball, and somehow Phillips got the slightest finger-tip to send the ball thumping onto the crossbar.
On balance of chances Skelmersdale deserved to win because they simply created more chances than Ashton. But Ashton showed a tenacity that made it difficult for Skelmersdale all afternoon and they warrant credit for that and will be pleased with a draw. Life for Skelmersdale at this higher level will be tougher, but they are fast showing that they have the quality to more than cope with it.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland, Holden, Hardwick © (Simpson, 57), Wylie, Dunn (Wright, 67), Hughes, Burton, Burnett, Leadbetter, Holt (Morning, 79) Subs (not used) Luby, Short
ASHTON UNITED: Phillips, Richardson, Tandy, Gorton (Pearson, 64), Lynch ©, Hardiker (Pilkington, 53), Denham, Gee, Coppin (O’Neill J., 58), Rick, Logan Subs (not used) Freakes, O’Neill M.
Referee: Mark Duncan
Attendance: 186
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 ASHTON UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United were left a bit frustrated after Saturday’s draw with the men from East Manchester. Tommy Lawson’s men didn’t convert a penalty but still went a goal up, but then after looking comfortable at the back they lost central defender Tom Hardwick with a stomach injury, Ashton struck within seconds and Skelmersdale had to chase victory again. An aim they would have achieved but for a magnificent save by Ashton goalkeeper Paul Phillips in the final moments of the match.
The only thing that the first twenty proved was that there were not going to be a lot of goals in the game, both defences looking solid.
Skelmersdale got the first chance in the 24th minute. Kenny Strickland lofted the ball to the edge of the Ashton penalty area, as it bounced Gary Burnett lifted over Phillips and set off in pursuit, only his path was blocked by John Hardiker and a penalty was awarded, but sadly from a Skelmersdale perspective, Phillips managed to parry away Matty Hughes’ spot-kick.
Hughes is a lively character and it took him only eight minutes to get his revenge on Phillips. Alan Burton pushed the ball to him from midfield, the Skelmersdale number seven, spied a gap and drilled a shot from about 18 yards low into the Ashton net, this time leaving his nemesis Phillips a spectator.
Before the interval only a fine intervention by Ashton’s Jamie Tandy prevented Hughes from again netting from a Joe Holt cross and Ashton had their best effort to date with a dipping 22 yard shot from Gary Gee that in truth Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert looked to have covered.
Ashton came out after the break and pressed Skelmersdale even harder than they had done in the first-half, but again were making little progress, that is until the 57th minute, when Skelmersdale’s Hardwick clashed with Ashton’s Kayde Coppin near the halfway line. Hardwick had to go off for treatment (he was not to return) and while Skelmersdale were reorganising, Ashton struck. A throw-in on the left saw the ball worked squarely across the pitch before it was prodded through the Skelmersdale back-line to Martin Pilkington, who supplied a textbook finish from 15 yards.
The game continued in its strangulated form, though this time Skelmersdale were on the offensive and Ashton were determined to hang onto their point.
Skelmersdale managed two opportunities (Ashton didn’t manage anymore at all),
One saw a Dale Wright shot from 20 yards go over the crossbar, the second though brought another superb save from Phillips, Hughes weaved circles around the left side of Ashton’s defence earning him the Paxsport Man of the Match award, then crossed into the six-yard box, Wright got a running header firmly on the ball, and somehow Phillips got the slightest finger-tip to send the ball thumping onto the crossbar.
On balance of chances Skelmersdale deserved to win because they simply created more chances than Ashton. But Ashton showed a tenacity that made it difficult for Skelmersdale all afternoon and they warrant credit for that and will be pleased with a draw. Life for Skelmersdale at this higher level will be tougher, but they are fast showing that they have the quality to more than cope with it.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland, Holden, Hardwick © (Simpson, 57), Wylie, Dunn (Wright, 67), Hughes, Burton, Burnett, Leadbetter, Holt (Morning, 79) Subs (not used) Luby, Short
ASHTON UNITED: Phillips, Richardson, Tandy, Gorton (Pearson, 64), Lynch ©, Hardiker (Pilkington, 53), Denham, Gee, Coppin (O’Neill J., 58), Rick, Logan Subs (not used) Freakes, O’Neill M.
Referee: Mark Duncan
Attendance: 186