Post by Kev Panther on Jan 6, 2015 15:52:08 GMT
NINE POINTS OUT OF TWELVE MAKE IT A HAPPY NEW YEAR OF SKELMERSDALE
WORKINGTON 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 &
TRAFFORD 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United continue to move ahead of the rest in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, recovering well from their first reverse of the Festive Campaign to grab another three points from Saturday’s trip to Trafford.
It was indeed a gallant effort by Tommy Lawson’s men at Borough Park, especially as they had so much against them. Workington are one of the league’s inform sides and they had been spared a game on Sunday 28th December, so were that little bit fresher than Skem, who had faced a three hour trip and an early morning New Year’s Day start, to even arrive in West Cumbria.
Skelmersdale kicked off with a gale force wind at their backs and two minutes in Dan Mitchley came within an ace of carrying the ball around home goalkeeper Jonny Jamieson, but was thwarted by the custodian’s dive at his feet.
When in the eighth minute Scott Bakkor brought a save out of Jamieson, it looked promising, but however, it didn’t get a lot better.
When Workington struck in the 24th minute it was something of a psychological blow to the balance of play. The ball was crossed left to right side and pushing on Jake Simpson won a challenge with James Short, set off on a run and slammed a shot into the Skelmersdale net via the post.
In truth between then and half-time Workington with a quality left-sided player, Conor Tinnion rampant, could have scored a few and it was only down to Skelmersdale’s determination that they hung on.
In the opening minutes of the second period Skelmersdale goalkeeper Andy Paxton made a fine save from Matty Tymon but suffered an injury in the process. Thankfully he carried on, though.
Skelmersdale counterattacked into the wind in the 54th minute and Alan Burton was rather crudely fouled by Dan Wordsworth. The free kick was lifted into the box, knocked down to Burton who drove the ball low under Jamieson to level the scores.
Unfortunately it took Workington only nine minutes to restore their lead, the word unfortunate is appropriate because, there was certainly an element of luck about the goal. Winning a corner on the right, Tinnion lifted the ball with his left-foot into the goalmouth; the gale took a grip and carried the ball beyond everyone into the top far corner of the Skelmersdale net.
Skelmersdale just didn’t have the legs left to generate another equaliser, Aidan Kirkbride brought one save out of Jamieson and it could have been more for Workington, but again that Skelmersdale spirit saved them and it could be important as the season progresses.
WORKINGTON: Jamieson. Simpson, Rowntree, Wordsworth ©, Calvert, Skelton, Allison, McLuckie, Tymon, Arnison (Wright A., 77), Tinnion Subs (not used) Andrews, Newby, Mwasile, Smith
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Paxton, Fernandes, Short (Wylie, 43), McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride, Bakkor, Burton (Strickland, 73), Mitchley, McCarthy, Wright D. Subs (not used) Mooney, Bell, Tollitt
Referee: S. Taylor Attendance: 382
Just two days later Skelmersdale were on the road again, but this time it was only to Urmston in south-west Manchester, but this time the result gave Skelmersdale their eighth away win of the season and put them eleven points clear at the top of the table.
Skelmersdale started the game well, Dan Mitchley bringing a tremendous early save out of the Trafford goalkeeper, before Kenny Strickland gave the home team palpitations with a tenth minute free-kick.
The game levelled out and became something of a midfield struggle as both teams cancelled each other out, before livening up in the latter stages.
Two free-kicks were to be crucial to outcome of the game. Skelmersdale won one in the 87th minute, from which Strickland left the Trafford keeper a spectator as it gave the Skelmersdale the lead.
The second free-kick, bang on 90 minutes, saw Andy Paxton fly across his goal to finger-tip away Shelton Payne’s effort.
WORKINGTON 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 &
TRAFFORD 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United continue to move ahead of the rest in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, recovering well from their first reverse of the Festive Campaign to grab another three points from Saturday’s trip to Trafford.
It was indeed a gallant effort by Tommy Lawson’s men at Borough Park, especially as they had so much against them. Workington are one of the league’s inform sides and they had been spared a game on Sunday 28th December, so were that little bit fresher than Skem, who had faced a three hour trip and an early morning New Year’s Day start, to even arrive in West Cumbria.
Skelmersdale kicked off with a gale force wind at their backs and two minutes in Dan Mitchley came within an ace of carrying the ball around home goalkeeper Jonny Jamieson, but was thwarted by the custodian’s dive at his feet.
When in the eighth minute Scott Bakkor brought a save out of Jamieson, it looked promising, but however, it didn’t get a lot better.
When Workington struck in the 24th minute it was something of a psychological blow to the balance of play. The ball was crossed left to right side and pushing on Jake Simpson won a challenge with James Short, set off on a run and slammed a shot into the Skelmersdale net via the post.
In truth between then and half-time Workington with a quality left-sided player, Conor Tinnion rampant, could have scored a few and it was only down to Skelmersdale’s determination that they hung on.
In the opening minutes of the second period Skelmersdale goalkeeper Andy Paxton made a fine save from Matty Tymon but suffered an injury in the process. Thankfully he carried on, though.
Skelmersdale counterattacked into the wind in the 54th minute and Alan Burton was rather crudely fouled by Dan Wordsworth. The free kick was lifted into the box, knocked down to Burton who drove the ball low under Jamieson to level the scores.
Unfortunately it took Workington only nine minutes to restore their lead, the word unfortunate is appropriate because, there was certainly an element of luck about the goal. Winning a corner on the right, Tinnion lifted the ball with his left-foot into the goalmouth; the gale took a grip and carried the ball beyond everyone into the top far corner of the Skelmersdale net.
Skelmersdale just didn’t have the legs left to generate another equaliser, Aidan Kirkbride brought one save out of Jamieson and it could have been more for Workington, but again that Skelmersdale spirit saved them and it could be important as the season progresses.
WORKINGTON: Jamieson. Simpson, Rowntree, Wordsworth ©, Calvert, Skelton, Allison, McLuckie, Tymon, Arnison (Wright A., 77), Tinnion Subs (not used) Andrews, Newby, Mwasile, Smith
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Paxton, Fernandes, Short (Wylie, 43), McIntosh ©, Bodie, Kirkbride, Bakkor, Burton (Strickland, 73), Mitchley, McCarthy, Wright D. Subs (not used) Mooney, Bell, Tollitt
Referee: S. Taylor Attendance: 382
Just two days later Skelmersdale were on the road again, but this time it was only to Urmston in south-west Manchester, but this time the result gave Skelmersdale their eighth away win of the season and put them eleven points clear at the top of the table.
Skelmersdale started the game well, Dan Mitchley bringing a tremendous early save out of the Trafford goalkeeper, before Kenny Strickland gave the home team palpitations with a tenth minute free-kick.
The game levelled out and became something of a midfield struggle as both teams cancelled each other out, before livening up in the latter stages.
Two free-kicks were to be crucial to outcome of the game. Skelmersdale won one in the 87th minute, from which Strickland left the Trafford keeper a spectator as it gave the Skelmersdale the lead.
The second free-kick, bang on 90 minutes, saw Andy Paxton fly across his goal to finger-tip away Shelton Payne’s effort.