Post by Kev Panther on Sept 6, 2013 16:23:07 GMT
LEADBETTER LEAVES IT LATE TO LIFT SKELMERSDALE INTO PLAY-OFF ZONE
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 STAFFORD RANGERS 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Local lad Kevin Leadbetter kept his cool to fire Skelmersdale United into the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off elite at the West Lancashire College Stadium. With the scores tied at 2-2 with only two minutes left on the clock Leadbetter thumped a penalty kick into the Stafford net to give Skelmersdale victory and to crown a performance that culminated in him picking up the match sponsors The Highwayman Man of the Match award after the game.
The victory continues Skelmersdale’s wonderful start to life in the higher division which has seen them bag eleven points from the opening six games and has them looking at another probable promotion challenge.
Stafford arrived determined to make things difficult for Skelmersdale and for half an hour made a good job of carrying out that aim.
Skelmersdale began to make inroads just before the 30 minute mark, Ashley Dunn having a shot saved by Stafford goalkeeper Jon Brain after the midfielder forced Darren Bullock into an error.
A couple of minutes later Skelmersdale struck. Kenny Strickland’s ball into the Stafford area created chaos, Brain made a save and the ball broke loose, eventually it fell to Adam Morning who slotted it into the net from around 6 yards.
Skelmersdale doubled their advantage with a devastating move in the 34th minute. Joe Holt carried the ball forward then released Leadbetter at pace down the right, Leadbetter looked up saw Nick Rogan making ground at the far post and put a precise cross onto the centre-forward’s head, Rogan putting the ball inside the far post, to execute an excellent example of how to counterattack.
Just before the interval Holt put Leadbetter in again, but this time the ball went inches wide of the far post and the Skelmersdale supporters were justified in spending half-time contemplating how many Skelmersdale would win by.
How wrong they were. Stafford came storming back and just three minutes into the second-half they pulled a goal back. The ball was played through the Skelmersdale defence and Michael Lennon gave Zac Hibbert absolutely no chance with a powerful finish from 18 yards.
Rogan hit the Stafford crossbar in the 59th minute, but it wouldn’t have counted as a flag signalled him offside, then Rob McIntosh had an overhead kick saved by Brain, then after Morning set him up the keeper saved at full-stretch from Leadbetter.
The save from Leadbetter ironically brought about the Stafford equaliser, as they counterattacked quickly themselves with Fabrice Kasiama a player who had looked dangerous all night, confirmed the theory with an excellent finish to make it 2-2.
Skelmersdale found it hard work to create a chance to re-take the lead and it was not until the 88th minute that they succeeded. Dunn created havoc in the Stafford defence and Brain saved again, the ball went wide and substitute Lloyd Deane forced his way past a defender and drove a cross into the box, this time Brain got a block and the ball ran to Dunn, who in his attempt to round Brain was fouled and a penalty awarded. Leadbetter stepped up and bulleted the ball into the net, to give Skelmersdale three points that were very hard earned.
SKLELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland ©, Holden, Burton, Wylie, Wright (McIntosh, 64), Dunn, Rogan (Deane, 79), Leadbetter, Morning (Burnett, 79) Subs (not used) Hardwick, Paxton
STAFFORD RANGERS: Brain, Mason, Davies, Spittle, Bullock, Flynn ©, McCarthy, Jackson, Quinn (Steadman, 45), Lennon, Kasiama Subs (not used) Sheldon, Langston, Heler, Alcock
Referee: Paul Hodskinson
Attendance: 235
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 STAFFORD RANGERS 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Local lad Kevin Leadbetter kept his cool to fire Skelmersdale United into the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off elite at the West Lancashire College Stadium. With the scores tied at 2-2 with only two minutes left on the clock Leadbetter thumped a penalty kick into the Stafford net to give Skelmersdale victory and to crown a performance that culminated in him picking up the match sponsors The Highwayman Man of the Match award after the game.
The victory continues Skelmersdale’s wonderful start to life in the higher division which has seen them bag eleven points from the opening six games and has them looking at another probable promotion challenge.
Stafford arrived determined to make things difficult for Skelmersdale and for half an hour made a good job of carrying out that aim.
Skelmersdale began to make inroads just before the 30 minute mark, Ashley Dunn having a shot saved by Stafford goalkeeper Jon Brain after the midfielder forced Darren Bullock into an error.
A couple of minutes later Skelmersdale struck. Kenny Strickland’s ball into the Stafford area created chaos, Brain made a save and the ball broke loose, eventually it fell to Adam Morning who slotted it into the net from around 6 yards.
Skelmersdale doubled their advantage with a devastating move in the 34th minute. Joe Holt carried the ball forward then released Leadbetter at pace down the right, Leadbetter looked up saw Nick Rogan making ground at the far post and put a precise cross onto the centre-forward’s head, Rogan putting the ball inside the far post, to execute an excellent example of how to counterattack.
Just before the interval Holt put Leadbetter in again, but this time the ball went inches wide of the far post and the Skelmersdale supporters were justified in spending half-time contemplating how many Skelmersdale would win by.
How wrong they were. Stafford came storming back and just three minutes into the second-half they pulled a goal back. The ball was played through the Skelmersdale defence and Michael Lennon gave Zac Hibbert absolutely no chance with a powerful finish from 18 yards.
Rogan hit the Stafford crossbar in the 59th minute, but it wouldn’t have counted as a flag signalled him offside, then Rob McIntosh had an overhead kick saved by Brain, then after Morning set him up the keeper saved at full-stretch from Leadbetter.
The save from Leadbetter ironically brought about the Stafford equaliser, as they counterattacked quickly themselves with Fabrice Kasiama a player who had looked dangerous all night, confirmed the theory with an excellent finish to make it 2-2.
Skelmersdale found it hard work to create a chance to re-take the lead and it was not until the 88th minute that they succeeded. Dunn created havoc in the Stafford defence and Brain saved again, the ball went wide and substitute Lloyd Deane forced his way past a defender and drove a cross into the box, this time Brain got a block and the ball ran to Dunn, who in his attempt to round Brain was fouled and a penalty awarded. Leadbetter stepped up and bulleted the ball into the net, to give Skelmersdale three points that were very hard earned.
SKLELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland ©, Holden, Burton, Wylie, Wright (McIntosh, 64), Dunn, Rogan (Deane, 79), Leadbetter, Morning (Burnett, 79) Subs (not used) Hardwick, Paxton
STAFFORD RANGERS: Brain, Mason, Davies, Spittle, Bullock, Flynn ©, McCarthy, Jackson, Quinn (Steadman, 45), Lennon, Kasiama Subs (not used) Sheldon, Langston, Heler, Alcock
Referee: Paul Hodskinson
Attendance: 235