Post by Kev Panther on Sept 17, 2013 17:35:51 GMT
COMFORTABLE FA CUP PASSAGE FOR SKELMERSDALE
NORTHWICH VICTORIA 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3
By Neil Leatherbarrow
A dominant first-half performance put a firm foundation in place for a Skelmersdale United victory in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Their Cheshire based opponents contained a good number of experienced players who know all about the significance of the FA Cup to non-league clubs and posed a real potential banana skin to United’s FA Cup hopes, but they were not really given a chance by Skem who grabbed control early on and never looked like relinquishing that position.
After an opening period that took time to warm up, Skelmersdale took the lead in the 17th minute and who else on present form would you expect to get the goal other than Kevin Leadbetter. A slick movement put the ball into the Victoria area, Ashley Dunn looked to run onto a short pass, but was he was charged off the ball by Brian Summerskill and there was not much argument when a penalty was awarded, Leadbetter doing the rest.
It was as if the floodgates had opened and Skelmersdale rushed out. In the 20th minute Nick Rogan held the ball up but this time Leadbetter got his shot off target, then Rogan found the net but was adjudged offside, before a 24th minute shot whistled over the home crossbar.
In the 27th minute Skelmersdale made it 2-0 with a move that left Northwich floundering. Leadbetter chested the ball down in the centre-circle and put it into the path of Joe Holt who was tearing down the right-wing, Holt sent the ball over to the far-post where Rogan met it with a textbook finish and his header went into the bottom corner. The goal was worth the entrance fee on its own.
The next fifteen minutes was a lesson in how to pass the opposition off the pitch with Skelmersdale now dominating the middle of the park and determined not to give Northwich a kick.
Rogan went close twice both efforts being saved by goalkeeper Tim Deasy, but it was the style of Skelmersdale’s attacking play that was particularly impressive,
Just as the interval beckoned Northwich did finally manage to apply some pressure and they looked dangerous for a couple of minutes. Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert saved from Danny Wisdom and Kenny Strickland had to make one very good clearance from Tony Evans, but United’s brief worries were ended by the half-time whistle.
Northwich made changes at half-time but it made little difference, Northwich did up the tempo of their play, but Skelmersdale coped and even went close to scoring in the 62nd minute via Adam Morning from Holt’s cross.
Shaun Tuck came on as substitute and secured the victory with a goal within four minutes.
In the latter stages Northwich went close twice, Josh Kenworthy firing over the crossbar after a nice bit of skill, then Hibbert saved from a Kieran Lugsden header, but really you got the impression that if Northwich had found a way to goal, Skelmersdale could have upped their game anytime and had plenty in hand.
NORTHWICH VICTORIA: Deasey, Smalley, Wisdom, Henry, Mercer ©, Summerskill (Thomas, 45), Garner, Taylor (Kenworthy, 45), Evans (Lugsden, 70), Williams, Armstrong Subs (not used) Fishwick, Kilford
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland, Holden (Short, 77), Hardwick ©, Wylie, Dunn, Holt, Burton, Rogan (Tuck, 67), Leadbetter (Burnett, 74), Morning Subs (not used) McIntosh, Wright, Hughes, Simpson
Referee: J. Hayes
Attendance: 187
NORTHWICH VICTORIA 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3
By Neil Leatherbarrow
A dominant first-half performance put a firm foundation in place for a Skelmersdale United victory in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Their Cheshire based opponents contained a good number of experienced players who know all about the significance of the FA Cup to non-league clubs and posed a real potential banana skin to United’s FA Cup hopes, but they were not really given a chance by Skem who grabbed control early on and never looked like relinquishing that position.
After an opening period that took time to warm up, Skelmersdale took the lead in the 17th minute and who else on present form would you expect to get the goal other than Kevin Leadbetter. A slick movement put the ball into the Victoria area, Ashley Dunn looked to run onto a short pass, but was he was charged off the ball by Brian Summerskill and there was not much argument when a penalty was awarded, Leadbetter doing the rest.
It was as if the floodgates had opened and Skelmersdale rushed out. In the 20th minute Nick Rogan held the ball up but this time Leadbetter got his shot off target, then Rogan found the net but was adjudged offside, before a 24th minute shot whistled over the home crossbar.
In the 27th minute Skelmersdale made it 2-0 with a move that left Northwich floundering. Leadbetter chested the ball down in the centre-circle and put it into the path of Joe Holt who was tearing down the right-wing, Holt sent the ball over to the far-post where Rogan met it with a textbook finish and his header went into the bottom corner. The goal was worth the entrance fee on its own.
The next fifteen minutes was a lesson in how to pass the opposition off the pitch with Skelmersdale now dominating the middle of the park and determined not to give Northwich a kick.
Rogan went close twice both efforts being saved by goalkeeper Tim Deasy, but it was the style of Skelmersdale’s attacking play that was particularly impressive,
Just as the interval beckoned Northwich did finally manage to apply some pressure and they looked dangerous for a couple of minutes. Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert saved from Danny Wisdom and Kenny Strickland had to make one very good clearance from Tony Evans, but United’s brief worries were ended by the half-time whistle.
Northwich made changes at half-time but it made little difference, Northwich did up the tempo of their play, but Skelmersdale coped and even went close to scoring in the 62nd minute via Adam Morning from Holt’s cross.
Shaun Tuck came on as substitute and secured the victory with a goal within four minutes.
In the latter stages Northwich went close twice, Josh Kenworthy firing over the crossbar after a nice bit of skill, then Hibbert saved from a Kieran Lugsden header, but really you got the impression that if Northwich had found a way to goal, Skelmersdale could have upped their game anytime and had plenty in hand.
NORTHWICH VICTORIA: Deasey, Smalley, Wisdom, Henry, Mercer ©, Summerskill (Thomas, 45), Garner, Taylor (Kenworthy, 45), Evans (Lugsden, 70), Williams, Armstrong Subs (not used) Fishwick, Kilford
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland, Holden (Short, 77), Hardwick ©, Wylie, Dunn, Holt, Burton, Rogan (Tuck, 67), Leadbetter (Burnett, 74), Morning Subs (not used) McIntosh, Wright, Hughes, Simpson
Referee: J. Hayes
Attendance: 187