Post by Kev Panther on Dec 30, 2014 11:32:16 GMT
SKELMERSDALE EXTEND LEAD TO NINE POINTS IN HAPPY CHRISTMAS
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 MARINE 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Christmas started at Stormy Corner with a presentation to manager Tommy Lawson to mark his 500 games in charge and true to the man he is Tommy returned the accolades by giving the Skelmersdale supporters two victories to celebrate in a hectic three day period. The six points reward sending Skelmersdale nine points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Premier Division table and most importantly keeping the promotion dream very much alive and heaping the pressure on the chasing pack to win their games in hand, who face a daunting task playing catch-up.
The Boxing Day match at home to Marine was a real thriller, with both teams incessantly on the attack to an extent that a 6-4 victory for Skem wouldn’t have been out of place.
After a couple of skirmishes at both ends the 12th minute typified what was to come. Skelmersdale’s Connor McCarthy held off two challengers before bringing a quality save out of Marine goalkeeper Matt Cooper. The keeper immediately released a full-back who switched play forwards from where Marine midfielder Karl Clair brought an even better save out of Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert.
Hibbert made another full-length save in the 21st minute to keep out a Dan Fearnehough effort and within a minute Skelmersdale were in front. A delightful cross field ball from Valtar Fernandes put McCarthy into space on the left of the penalty area; he switched the ball from left to right foot and drilled a low shot past Cooper into the Mariners net.
Cooper made two more crucial saves from Dan Mitchley before the striker didn’t allow Cooper such a luxury, his fizzing shot leaving the keeper completely wrong footed as it went past him via a defender to make it 2-0.
Before the interval McCarthy put a shot wide and the sponsors Safe & Warm Clothing Man of the Match James Short saw his free-kick have a similar conclusion.
Marine pressed hard after the restart and could have pulled a goal back, Fearnehough had a shot blocked on the line and Lloyd Ellams headed wide from a very good position, but it was Skelmersdale who were to seal the game up rather than Marine get back into it.
The ball found Mitchley after good work on the right by Fernandes, Mitchley stepping onto the ball and dispatching a vicious curling half-volley from 20 yards that left Cooper a spectator as it thundered into the Marine net.
In the last ten minutes Marine to their credit continued to press. Hibbert made another good save from James Foley, while Skelmersdale substitute Ben Tollitt broke but was tackled well as he looked poised to strike, before finally Marine found the net in added time, when Ellams netted after he was set up by Matty Williams.
Not one of the 348 who braved a cold wet day will have gone home saying they weren’t thoroughly entertained. Skelmersdale have got their confidence back and Marine will avoid the drop if only they can start finishing better in front of goal.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Fernandes, Short, McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride, Bakkor, Burton (Strickland, 78), Mitchley, McCarthy (Wright, 68), Meaney (Tollitt, 72) Subs (not used) Wylie, Thompson
MARINE: Cooper, Wainwright, Lea, Hessey, Benbo-Leta ©, Clair, Foley, Fearnehough (Williams, 72), Codling (Nicholas, 45), Ellams, Langos (Owens, 59)
Referee: Sam Mulhall Attendance 348
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 MARINE 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Christmas started at Stormy Corner with a presentation to manager Tommy Lawson to mark his 500 games in charge and true to the man he is Tommy returned the accolades by giving the Skelmersdale supporters two victories to celebrate in a hectic three day period. The six points reward sending Skelmersdale nine points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Premier Division table and most importantly keeping the promotion dream very much alive and heaping the pressure on the chasing pack to win their games in hand, who face a daunting task playing catch-up.
The Boxing Day match at home to Marine was a real thriller, with both teams incessantly on the attack to an extent that a 6-4 victory for Skem wouldn’t have been out of place.
After a couple of skirmishes at both ends the 12th minute typified what was to come. Skelmersdale’s Connor McCarthy held off two challengers before bringing a quality save out of Marine goalkeeper Matt Cooper. The keeper immediately released a full-back who switched play forwards from where Marine midfielder Karl Clair brought an even better save out of Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert.
Hibbert made another full-length save in the 21st minute to keep out a Dan Fearnehough effort and within a minute Skelmersdale were in front. A delightful cross field ball from Valtar Fernandes put McCarthy into space on the left of the penalty area; he switched the ball from left to right foot and drilled a low shot past Cooper into the Mariners net.
Cooper made two more crucial saves from Dan Mitchley before the striker didn’t allow Cooper such a luxury, his fizzing shot leaving the keeper completely wrong footed as it went past him via a defender to make it 2-0.
Before the interval McCarthy put a shot wide and the sponsors Safe & Warm Clothing Man of the Match James Short saw his free-kick have a similar conclusion.
Marine pressed hard after the restart and could have pulled a goal back, Fearnehough had a shot blocked on the line and Lloyd Ellams headed wide from a very good position, but it was Skelmersdale who were to seal the game up rather than Marine get back into it.
The ball found Mitchley after good work on the right by Fernandes, Mitchley stepping onto the ball and dispatching a vicious curling half-volley from 20 yards that left Cooper a spectator as it thundered into the Marine net.
In the last ten minutes Marine to their credit continued to press. Hibbert made another good save from James Foley, while Skelmersdale substitute Ben Tollitt broke but was tackled well as he looked poised to strike, before finally Marine found the net in added time, when Ellams netted after he was set up by Matty Williams.
Not one of the 348 who braved a cold wet day will have gone home saying they weren’t thoroughly entertained. Skelmersdale have got their confidence back and Marine will avoid the drop if only they can start finishing better in front of goal.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Hibbert, Fernandes, Short, McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride, Bakkor, Burton (Strickland, 78), Mitchley, McCarthy (Wright, 68), Meaney (Tollitt, 72) Subs (not used) Wylie, Thompson
MARINE: Cooper, Wainwright, Lea, Hessey, Benbo-Leta ©, Clair, Foley, Fearnehough (Williams, 72), Codling (Nicholas, 45), Ellams, Langos (Owens, 59)
Referee: Sam Mulhall Attendance 348