Post by Kev Panther on Nov 24, 2014 19:39:24 GMT
ILKESTON SURPRISE SKELMERSDALE
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 ILKESTON 4
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale went into Saturday’s game at Stormy Corner having lost only once in their previous thirteen league games, so it probably came as something of a surprise to the Skem faithful that the end of the run arrived via a 4-1 margin, especially as Skelmersdale had taken the lead inside just 47 seconds. The truth is that three of the Ilkeston goals came from free-kicks and United failed to deal with the threat of big Ilkeston centre-forward Rob Duffy, a man with a wealth of experience at a higher level than the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
The Skelmersdale opener was nicely worked. The ball was fed down the inside-left channel to Dan Mitchley, his shot looked destined for the far corner until Ilkeston goalkeeper Jordan Smith managed to parry the shot, but Scott Bakkor sharply leapt on the opportunity offered to record his first goal in Skelmersdale colours from a handful of yards out.
It was as good a start as Skelmersdale could possibly have hope for and it was not unexpected that Ilkeston went on the attack, though, for a while it looked like Skelmersdale were controlling the away forwards well and they might have increased their lead but for a superb tackle by Ilkeston left-back Kieran Wallace as Mitchley looked set to strike.
However, two goals in three minutes turned everything on its head. A 32nd minute free-kick was chipped into the Skelmersdale box, Duffy headed the ball down and after taking a touch, Joe Maguire fired into the roof of the Skelmersdale net.
Three minutes later another free-kick was Skelmersdale’s undoing, a poor headed clearance was lobbed back into the area and Ashley Hunter was able to flick the ball inside the post.
Just before the interval Bakkor was foiled by Smith as Skelmersdale chased the game, but it got worse after around a minute of the second-half. Skelmersdale lost possession on the left and the ball was moved across the field to Duffy; Wallace ran onto his lay-off and fired powerfully into the net from 8 yards out.
The third goal was important, but arguably the most crucial incident was in the 48th minute, when Smith made a stunning save from Rob McIntosh and when the keeper made another save at his near-post in the 63rd minute, it became clear that it just wasn’t going to be Skelmersdale’s day.
In the 67th minute, Ilkeston effectively tied the game up. Another free-kick was this time floated beyond the far post, from where Kane Richards headed back across goal into the corner of the net.
The rest of the game was a demonstration by Ilkeston in how to fall back deeply and smother your opposition and they allowed Skelmersdale precisely nothing.
All runs come to an end and Ilkeston looked a side that are going to be around the top end of the league at the end of the season, they are certainly the best footballing outfit that Skelmersdale have played this season.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes, Short (Astbury, 68), McIntosh ©, Bodie, Strickland, Thompson, Simpson (Mooney, 80), Mitchley (Charles, 70), Bakkor, Meaney Subs (not used) Lloyd, Wylie
ILKESTON: Smith, Reid, Wallace, Baker, Maguire ©, Lane, Morgan, Chettle, Duffy, Richards, Hunter (Williams, 87) Subs (not used) Gordon, Bako, Simons, Shaw
Referee: Kevin Mattocks (Chorley)
Attendance: 277
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 ILKESTON 4
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale went into Saturday’s game at Stormy Corner having lost only once in their previous thirteen league games, so it probably came as something of a surprise to the Skem faithful that the end of the run arrived via a 4-1 margin, especially as Skelmersdale had taken the lead inside just 47 seconds. The truth is that three of the Ilkeston goals came from free-kicks and United failed to deal with the threat of big Ilkeston centre-forward Rob Duffy, a man with a wealth of experience at a higher level than the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
The Skelmersdale opener was nicely worked. The ball was fed down the inside-left channel to Dan Mitchley, his shot looked destined for the far corner until Ilkeston goalkeeper Jordan Smith managed to parry the shot, but Scott Bakkor sharply leapt on the opportunity offered to record his first goal in Skelmersdale colours from a handful of yards out.
It was as good a start as Skelmersdale could possibly have hope for and it was not unexpected that Ilkeston went on the attack, though, for a while it looked like Skelmersdale were controlling the away forwards well and they might have increased their lead but for a superb tackle by Ilkeston left-back Kieran Wallace as Mitchley looked set to strike.
However, two goals in three minutes turned everything on its head. A 32nd minute free-kick was chipped into the Skelmersdale box, Duffy headed the ball down and after taking a touch, Joe Maguire fired into the roof of the Skelmersdale net.
Three minutes later another free-kick was Skelmersdale’s undoing, a poor headed clearance was lobbed back into the area and Ashley Hunter was able to flick the ball inside the post.
Just before the interval Bakkor was foiled by Smith as Skelmersdale chased the game, but it got worse after around a minute of the second-half. Skelmersdale lost possession on the left and the ball was moved across the field to Duffy; Wallace ran onto his lay-off and fired powerfully into the net from 8 yards out.
The third goal was important, but arguably the most crucial incident was in the 48th minute, when Smith made a stunning save from Rob McIntosh and when the keeper made another save at his near-post in the 63rd minute, it became clear that it just wasn’t going to be Skelmersdale’s day.
In the 67th minute, Ilkeston effectively tied the game up. Another free-kick was this time floated beyond the far post, from where Kane Richards headed back across goal into the corner of the net.
The rest of the game was a demonstration by Ilkeston in how to fall back deeply and smother your opposition and they allowed Skelmersdale precisely nothing.
All runs come to an end and Ilkeston looked a side that are going to be around the top end of the league at the end of the season, they are certainly the best footballing outfit that Skelmersdale have played this season.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes, Short (Astbury, 68), McIntosh ©, Bodie, Strickland, Thompson, Simpson (Mooney, 80), Mitchley (Charles, 70), Bakkor, Meaney Subs (not used) Lloyd, Wylie
ILKESTON: Smith, Reid, Wallace, Baker, Maguire ©, Lane, Morgan, Chettle, Duffy, Richards, Hunter (Williams, 87) Subs (not used) Gordon, Bako, Simons, Shaw
Referee: Kevin Mattocks (Chorley)
Attendance: 277