Post by Kev Panther on Jan 13, 2014 18:57:28 GMT
SKELMERSDALE GO FOUR POINTS CLEAR
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 ILKESTON 0
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United stretched their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division to four points with a first-half performance that secured a comfortable victory over the men from Derbyshire.
The first ever clash between the two sides was witnessed by a healthy 353 crowd at the West Lancashire College Stadium and Tommy Lawson’s team responded to them with a rampant opening. Before the match Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson commented on the potential of twenty year old Matty Hughes with regards to Skelmersdale and his fears were proved justified during the opening exchanges.
In the third minute Hughes beat the Ilkeston offside trap and only a sharp interception by goalkeeper Ross Etheridge prevented a goal opportunity from his cross. Two minutes later he was at it again, craftily pinching the ball after a bit of loose defending and creating chaos that was only ended after an Adam Morning shot was bravely blocked and cleared.
In the sixth minute, Ilkeston were punished by Hughes, the wide man was in the centre-circle when he received the ball and set off on a run, after evading one tackle, he slipped past another, forwards Morning and Dean Astbury played their part, making runs that took defenders away from Hughes, reaching the 18 yard line Hughes thundered a powerful drive past Etheridge to make it 1-0. The goal was so good it probably won Hughes the Speciality Oxygen Services Man of the Match Award on its own.
The goal motivated Ilkeston manager Wilson to leave the stand and go to the bench in an effort to breathe some life into his players. However, the effects were gradual, rather than instant.
In the 16th minute a Hughes cross to the far post was met by a Neil Prince volley that went just wide, down the other end Ilkeston did briefly threaten but veteran centre-forward Gary Ricketts didn’t connect with Tyrell Waite’s cross.
Skelmersdale continued to press. Etheridge had to go full length to his right to keep out a Morning shot then Astbury had another effort blocked.
In the 29th minute Skelmersdale got the breathing space their attacking endeavours surely deserved. The ball was moved around the middle of the park then rolled back to Tom Hardwick, the Skelmersdale captain looked up and released a sixty yard ball to Astbury, he controlled and set off to goal, as Etheridge came out to meet him he put the ball low and hard into the net behind him.
Things tightened up a bit before the interval but Skelmersdale still had another go at goal, this time Alan Burton being thwarted by the Derby County loanee who was having quite an inspired day between the sticks for Ilkeston.
Ilkeston reorganised after the break, they went three at the back and populated the midfield. It did reap some dividends in that it gave them more possession, but they still had to breakthrough Skelmersdale’s defence, a task that was beyond them. As Skelmersdale appeared pretty content to keep them at arm’s length and pick them off on the counterattack.
Hughes again saw a shot blocked then he put a shot just beyond the far post. Ricketts brought some action out of Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert with a header as did his teammate Matt Baker, but Skelmersdale always looked in control and almost made it three, but Etheridge added Gareth Peet to his list of ‘thwartees.’
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Strickland, Ince (Holden, 82), Hardwick ©, Wylie, Dunn, Hughes, Burton (Peet, G., 88), Astbury, Morning, Prince Subs (not used) O’Reilly, Greene, Field
ILKESTON: Etheridge, Alexander, Wilson R. (Richards K., 49), Wilson L. ©, Storey, Baker, Carvalho, Richards M, Ricketts, Waite, Reid Subs (not used) Wright, Chettle, Peet R.
Referee: Matt Donohoe (Manchester)
Attendance: 353