Post by Kev Panther on Nov 19, 2014 15:42:01 GMT
IF YOU DIDN’T GO, YOU MISSED A THRILLER
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 CURZON ASHTON 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
It is a great pity that this game had to be played on the same night as Scotland met England in a live television game, because although the 242 who attended were rewarded royally, surely over 400 would have attended a match that delivered exactly what it promised. Evo-Stik Premier Division leaders Skelmersdale stood to severely damage the prospects of the visitors with a victory, while a victory for Curzon would have put them into a position to threaten Skelmersdale’s lead and all the regular supporters of the two teams were well aware of it.
Both teams are known for playing football on the floor and the game started at a phenomenal pace and it was to both sides ultimate credit that it didn’t even ease back slightly until about 25 minutes had elapsed.
After twelve minutes Dan Mitchley put in a snap 30 yard shot that was saved by Curzon goalkeeper Hakan Burton, then four minutes later Mitchley’s cross from the left was just gathered by Burton as Kenny Strickland almost got on the end of it.
There wasn’t lots of goalmouth action but that wasn’t because the teams were on the defensive it was because both teams were working so hard to counter the other. Although they are not immediate neighbours the atmosphere had the intensity of any derby game.
Curzon won a 19th minute free-kick but Sam Walker’s attempt was poor, however, in the 25th minute Skelmersdale goalkeeper Martin Fearon did well to parry away a Ryan Watson shot.
Skelmersdale arguably had the edge in the first-half though and in the 27th minute Burton saved again from Mitchley.
Right on the interval whistle, Curzon had some luck. A cross into the box ricocheted around until it was fired at goal and only a spectacular diving header by Curzon defender Joe Guest kept Skelmersdale out.
Curzon grabbed the lead in the 48th minute. A through ball saw Niall Cummins offside, but he ignored the ball and Luke Horrocks ran onto it, Fearon left his line and blocked the effort at goal, the ball ran free and after another deflection it hit Horrocks and went into the net.
Having been floored, It didn’t take Skelmersdale long to leap up off the canvas and floor Curzon. In the 53rd minute Tommy Lawson’s men won a free-kick on the right, Strickland fired it in low and powerfully, it evaded everyone except Rob McIntosh, who guided the ball home at the far post.
The pace didn’t subside, it continued. Fearon made a great save at Cummins feet then Strickland was thwarted by a magnificent tip over from Burton.
For Skelmersdale Dion Charles saw a shot deflected wide, then with his first move of his comeback after injury Dean Astbury went between two defenders but saw his right-foot shot saved by Burton.
Play see-sawed until the end, Fearon made one more save from Horrocks on a counterattack and Skelmersdale had Curzon mainly on the back foot in the latter stages. When the final whistle went, perhaps both teams were disappointed that they hadn’t won, but both teams knew they had not conceded ground to the other and would both be in the melting pot for promotion come the end of April.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes (Wylie, 53), Short, McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride (Charles, 53), Strickland, Burton, Mitchley (Astbury, 81), Bakkor, Meaney Subs (not used) Thompson, Mooney
CURZON ASHTON: Burton. Rowney (Brown. 81), Horrocks, Hunt, Thornton, Guest, Lakeland, Walker ©, Cummins, Watson R, Brooke Subs (not used) Fitzgerald, Darkwah, Croethers, Mason
Referee: Paul Hodskinson (Bamber Bridge)
Attendance 242
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 CURZON ASHTON 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
It is a great pity that this game had to be played on the same night as Scotland met England in a live television game, because although the 242 who attended were rewarded royally, surely over 400 would have attended a match that delivered exactly what it promised. Evo-Stik Premier Division leaders Skelmersdale stood to severely damage the prospects of the visitors with a victory, while a victory for Curzon would have put them into a position to threaten Skelmersdale’s lead and all the regular supporters of the two teams were well aware of it.
Both teams are known for playing football on the floor and the game started at a phenomenal pace and it was to both sides ultimate credit that it didn’t even ease back slightly until about 25 minutes had elapsed.
After twelve minutes Dan Mitchley put in a snap 30 yard shot that was saved by Curzon goalkeeper Hakan Burton, then four minutes later Mitchley’s cross from the left was just gathered by Burton as Kenny Strickland almost got on the end of it.
There wasn’t lots of goalmouth action but that wasn’t because the teams were on the defensive it was because both teams were working so hard to counter the other. Although they are not immediate neighbours the atmosphere had the intensity of any derby game.
Curzon won a 19th minute free-kick but Sam Walker’s attempt was poor, however, in the 25th minute Skelmersdale goalkeeper Martin Fearon did well to parry away a Ryan Watson shot.
Skelmersdale arguably had the edge in the first-half though and in the 27th minute Burton saved again from Mitchley.
Right on the interval whistle, Curzon had some luck. A cross into the box ricocheted around until it was fired at goal and only a spectacular diving header by Curzon defender Joe Guest kept Skelmersdale out.
Curzon grabbed the lead in the 48th minute. A through ball saw Niall Cummins offside, but he ignored the ball and Luke Horrocks ran onto it, Fearon left his line and blocked the effort at goal, the ball ran free and after another deflection it hit Horrocks and went into the net.
Having been floored, It didn’t take Skelmersdale long to leap up off the canvas and floor Curzon. In the 53rd minute Tommy Lawson’s men won a free-kick on the right, Strickland fired it in low and powerfully, it evaded everyone except Rob McIntosh, who guided the ball home at the far post.
The pace didn’t subside, it continued. Fearon made a great save at Cummins feet then Strickland was thwarted by a magnificent tip over from Burton.
For Skelmersdale Dion Charles saw a shot deflected wide, then with his first move of his comeback after injury Dean Astbury went between two defenders but saw his right-foot shot saved by Burton.
Play see-sawed until the end, Fearon made one more save from Horrocks on a counterattack and Skelmersdale had Curzon mainly on the back foot in the latter stages. When the final whistle went, perhaps both teams were disappointed that they hadn’t won, but both teams knew they had not conceded ground to the other and would both be in the melting pot for promotion come the end of April.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes (Wylie, 53), Short, McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride (Charles, 53), Strickland, Burton, Mitchley (Astbury, 81), Bakkor, Meaney Subs (not used) Thompson, Mooney
CURZON ASHTON: Burton. Rowney (Brown. 81), Horrocks, Hunt, Thornton, Guest, Lakeland, Walker ©, Cummins, Watson R, Brooke Subs (not used) Fitzgerald, Darkwah, Croethers, Mason
Referee: Paul Hodskinson (Bamber Bridge)
Attendance 242