Post by Kev Panther on Aug 27, 2013 19:18:36 GMT
IT WAS “JUST LIKE CANTONA”
MARINE 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Those 500 football supporters who avoided the beach and chose football on a sunny August Bank Holiday Monday were rewarded and some more in a memorable local derby. Skelmersdale dominated the first 42 minutes, had a clear goal disallowed and were thwarted by Marine goalkeeper Callum Williams. In the remaining three minutes Marine struck twice, once with a penalty, the other with a “worldy” of an effort to lead 2-0 at the interval. Marine played a lot better after half-time but Skelmersdale forced their way back, once with a cracking strike then the equaliser deep into added time coming from the United goalkeeper Zac Hibbert who scored with what was described by the Marine manager as like “Cantona.” The best word to sum it up at the end in the hot weather was “Phew”
After weathering early Marine pressure Skelmersdale went to town and by the eleventh minute had come close to scoring on four occasions. Matty Hughes had s shot saved by Williams, then Joe Holt was denied a penalty despite what looked a strong push from Marine defender Michael Monaghan, Kevin Leadbetter curled a shot inches wide, Ashley Dunn drew another save out of Williams, before Gary Burnett was kept out by a great tackle from former Skelmersdale player Tony Rendell.
Marine had a brief rally which saw Hibbert comfortably deal with a Monaghan shot from 25 yards, but back came Skelmersdale and Holt was cynically fouled by Marine captain John Shaw after tying the defender in a knot by the corner flag.
In the 28th minute a Burnett cross was kept away from Hughes and a corner conceded by Marine. Holt’s corner found Dale Wright on the far post and his downward header beat Williams, the keeper stretched out a hand and clawed it back from inside his net. Skelmersdale celebrated a goal, but none was given, Referee’s Assistant Derek Brannick amazingly didn’t raise his flag (I could clearly see from where I was stood that it was three feet over the line). One can only suggest that from a slightly straighter angle than me Mr Brannick’s view was blocked by players.
Gradually Marine got back into the game and the frequency of the Skelmersdale attacks lessened, but they still had far more of the possession. Marine countered in the 45th minute, Joe Fowler was fouled by Peter Wylie and a penalty given that was converted by Fowler himself.
Than as if to rub salt in the Skelmersdale wounds the ball dropped to Dean Astbury in added time and he hit a world class dipping volley into the Skelmersdale net from 30 yards. It really was a great goal, but Skelmersdale rightly felt they were suffering a great injustice.
Marine were 2-0 up at the start of the second-half but still made two changes during the tea-break and they brought about a far more dangerous look. Soon Hibbert made saves from Jon Goulding and Astbury.
In the 55th minute Skelmersdale got a goal and it was a good one too. Hughes cut in from the right but was faced with a brace of defenders, Wright saw this and ran in screaming for the ball, Hughes found him and the midfielder blasted a shot low into the bottom corner.
For a period the game became stretched, Hughes had an effort cleared off the Marine line then Leadbetter went close, but down the other end Hibbert saved well from Astbury.
Skelmersdale suffered a massive loss in the 72nd minute when Hughes exited after a challenge from Shaw.
Skelmersdale got the upper hand again near the end, Williams saving at his near post from a Wright header off a Holt cross and Shaun Holden saw a shot go just over the crossbar.
Seven minutes of added time was announced, much of it because of the injury to Hughes. With three minutes left Skelmersdale won a corner and this yellow vision (Zac Hibbert) romped forward, but before he got into position the kick was taken, the ball headed out to the edge of the penalty area, from where Hibbert met it three feet off the ground with a thunderous volley that launched Skelmersdale into ecstasy.
Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson said after the game he was “very proud” of his players continuing; “We were by far the best team in the first-half and had a good goal disallowed, then found ourselves 2-0 down at the interval against the run of play. We showed great spirit to battle back like we did. . . Remember we have a relatively young team and they (Marine) are full of experienced players at this level, it was a great comeback.”
MARINE: Williams, Dowling, Lundon, Rendell (Lawton, 75), Shaw ©, Monaghan (Ordish, 45), Woolcott, Parle (Goulding, 45), Devine, Astbury, Fowler J. Subs (not used) Cumiskey, McMahon
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland ©, Holden, Dunn, Wylie, Wright, Hughes (Simpson, 72), Burton, Burnett (Morning, 68), Leadbetter, Holt Subs (not used) Short, Hardwick, McIntosh
Referee: Michael Denton (Todmorden)
Attendance: 458
MARINE 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Those 500 football supporters who avoided the beach and chose football on a sunny August Bank Holiday Monday were rewarded and some more in a memorable local derby. Skelmersdale dominated the first 42 minutes, had a clear goal disallowed and were thwarted by Marine goalkeeper Callum Williams. In the remaining three minutes Marine struck twice, once with a penalty, the other with a “worldy” of an effort to lead 2-0 at the interval. Marine played a lot better after half-time but Skelmersdale forced their way back, once with a cracking strike then the equaliser deep into added time coming from the United goalkeeper Zac Hibbert who scored with what was described by the Marine manager as like “Cantona.” The best word to sum it up at the end in the hot weather was “Phew”
After weathering early Marine pressure Skelmersdale went to town and by the eleventh minute had come close to scoring on four occasions. Matty Hughes had s shot saved by Williams, then Joe Holt was denied a penalty despite what looked a strong push from Marine defender Michael Monaghan, Kevin Leadbetter curled a shot inches wide, Ashley Dunn drew another save out of Williams, before Gary Burnett was kept out by a great tackle from former Skelmersdale player Tony Rendell.
Marine had a brief rally which saw Hibbert comfortably deal with a Monaghan shot from 25 yards, but back came Skelmersdale and Holt was cynically fouled by Marine captain John Shaw after tying the defender in a knot by the corner flag.
In the 28th minute a Burnett cross was kept away from Hughes and a corner conceded by Marine. Holt’s corner found Dale Wright on the far post and his downward header beat Williams, the keeper stretched out a hand and clawed it back from inside his net. Skelmersdale celebrated a goal, but none was given, Referee’s Assistant Derek Brannick amazingly didn’t raise his flag (I could clearly see from where I was stood that it was three feet over the line). One can only suggest that from a slightly straighter angle than me Mr Brannick’s view was blocked by players.
Gradually Marine got back into the game and the frequency of the Skelmersdale attacks lessened, but they still had far more of the possession. Marine countered in the 45th minute, Joe Fowler was fouled by Peter Wylie and a penalty given that was converted by Fowler himself.
Than as if to rub salt in the Skelmersdale wounds the ball dropped to Dean Astbury in added time and he hit a world class dipping volley into the Skelmersdale net from 30 yards. It really was a great goal, but Skelmersdale rightly felt they were suffering a great injustice.
Marine were 2-0 up at the start of the second-half but still made two changes during the tea-break and they brought about a far more dangerous look. Soon Hibbert made saves from Jon Goulding and Astbury.
In the 55th minute Skelmersdale got a goal and it was a good one too. Hughes cut in from the right but was faced with a brace of defenders, Wright saw this and ran in screaming for the ball, Hughes found him and the midfielder blasted a shot low into the bottom corner.
For a period the game became stretched, Hughes had an effort cleared off the Marine line then Leadbetter went close, but down the other end Hibbert saved well from Astbury.
Skelmersdale suffered a massive loss in the 72nd minute when Hughes exited after a challenge from Shaw.
Skelmersdale got the upper hand again near the end, Williams saving at his near post from a Wright header off a Holt cross and Shaun Holden saw a shot go just over the crossbar.
Seven minutes of added time was announced, much of it because of the injury to Hughes. With three minutes left Skelmersdale won a corner and this yellow vision (Zac Hibbert) romped forward, but before he got into position the kick was taken, the ball headed out to the edge of the penalty area, from where Hibbert met it three feet off the ground with a thunderous volley that launched Skelmersdale into ecstasy.
Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson said after the game he was “very proud” of his players continuing; “We were by far the best team in the first-half and had a good goal disallowed, then found ourselves 2-0 down at the interval against the run of play. We showed great spirit to battle back like we did. . . Remember we have a relatively young team and they (Marine) are full of experienced players at this level, it was a great comeback.”
MARINE: Williams, Dowling, Lundon, Rendell (Lawton, 75), Shaw ©, Monaghan (Ordish, 45), Woolcott, Parle (Goulding, 45), Devine, Astbury, Fowler J. Subs (not used) Cumiskey, McMahon
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland ©, Holden, Dunn, Wylie, Wright, Hughes (Simpson, 72), Burton, Burnett (Morning, 68), Leadbetter, Holt Subs (not used) Short, Hardwick, McIntosh
Referee: Michael Denton (Todmorden)
Attendance: 458