Post by Kev Panther on Feb 10, 2015 13:48:53 GMT
WONDER STRIKE MAKES IT TOUGH FOR SKELMERSDALE
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0 STAMFORD 3
By Neil Leatherbarrow
When the two teams with the best away win records in the Evo-Stik Premier Division met at Stormy Corner it did not auger well for the hosts and the first goal of the game was always going to be very important. Unfortunately for Skem after doing everything right in holding Stamford out well and threatening themselves, they were on the wrong end of a thunderous 29th minute goal that turned the match against them.
Thirty four year old Stamford midfielder Jon Challinor has spent much of his career in the Football League and rarely can he have scored such a spectacular goal, hitting a thunderous volley from 25 yards that almost had smoke coming off it when it crashed into the net. The goal came right out of the blue and arrived just when Skelmersdale seemed to be getting a grip on affairs. It turned the game completely on its head and gave Stamford a huge advantage that they never relinquished.
Earlier the game had see-sawed from end to end with both teams having efforts cleared off their opponent’s goal line. In the 6th minute Tom Batchelor of Stamford being magnificently thwarted by Peter Wylie, while seven minutes later Skelmersdale’s Rob McIntosh suffered a similar fate when his right-foot shot was scrambled away.
Challinor’s rocket came after he latched onto a headed clearance after a cross from the right-wing and it was unstoppable.
The goal allowed Stamford to defend deeply and hit Skelmersdale with some swift counterattacks, a system they looked well practised with and one they carried out to perfection. The game itself was very frustrating for the home support as Skem had more of the possession and less of the chances.
After Stamford’s Jordan Smith had gone close and Skelmersdale goalkeeper Steve James made a full-length save from Dan Clements, Challinor made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, in a less stunning fashion. Driving a low shot into the Skelmersdale net off a corner from the right.
Immediately after the second goal, Skelmersdale introduced substitute Ben Tollitt and the youngster had an instant impact. Cutting the ball past two men and firing a shot at goal, Dan Mitchley diverted the shot into the Stamford net, but was declared offside. A goal then would surely have made a difference.
Skelmersdale continued to press and Stamford continued to look dangerous on the breakaway.
As the game entered the last minutes or so it became more and more obvious that Stamford would prevail and when in the 86th minute Ryan Robbins latched onto another long ball forwards on the left-hand side and stormed into the Skelmersdale area he was tripped by James, thankfully only a yellow card was administered and Robbins made it three from the penalty spot.
In one respect Skelmersdale were unlucky in that they had defended well early on as Stamford looked for that crucial opener, unlucky because you just couldn’t legislate for a goal like Stamford’s first. But they just didn’t create enough chances to save the game. It is far from all over in the race for the title as the chasing pack are not exactly consistent themselves and cannot be relied upon to make up the margin at the top of the league. But if they are to maintain their lead until the end of the season, Skelmersdale must win their home games.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: James, Fernandes, Holden, McIntosh ©, Wylie, Kirkbride, Bakkor (Tollitt, 60), Burton, Mitchley, McCarthy, Strickland (Meaney, 77) Subs (not used) Wright, Mooney, Paxton
STAMFORD: Stevens, Clarke, Jellyman, Challinor, Jones ©, Batchelor, McGowan, Lawlor (Carr, 90), Clements (Fox, 62), Smith, Robbins (Shariff, 89) Subs (not used) Bettles, Staff
Referee: Helen Byrne (Walton, Liverpool)
Attendance: 213
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0 STAMFORD 3
By Neil Leatherbarrow
When the two teams with the best away win records in the Evo-Stik Premier Division met at Stormy Corner it did not auger well for the hosts and the first goal of the game was always going to be very important. Unfortunately for Skem after doing everything right in holding Stamford out well and threatening themselves, they were on the wrong end of a thunderous 29th minute goal that turned the match against them.
Thirty four year old Stamford midfielder Jon Challinor has spent much of his career in the Football League and rarely can he have scored such a spectacular goal, hitting a thunderous volley from 25 yards that almost had smoke coming off it when it crashed into the net. The goal came right out of the blue and arrived just when Skelmersdale seemed to be getting a grip on affairs. It turned the game completely on its head and gave Stamford a huge advantage that they never relinquished.
Earlier the game had see-sawed from end to end with both teams having efforts cleared off their opponent’s goal line. In the 6th minute Tom Batchelor of Stamford being magnificently thwarted by Peter Wylie, while seven minutes later Skelmersdale’s Rob McIntosh suffered a similar fate when his right-foot shot was scrambled away.
Challinor’s rocket came after he latched onto a headed clearance after a cross from the right-wing and it was unstoppable.
The goal allowed Stamford to defend deeply and hit Skelmersdale with some swift counterattacks, a system they looked well practised with and one they carried out to perfection. The game itself was very frustrating for the home support as Skem had more of the possession and less of the chances.
After Stamford’s Jordan Smith had gone close and Skelmersdale goalkeeper Steve James made a full-length save from Dan Clements, Challinor made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, in a less stunning fashion. Driving a low shot into the Skelmersdale net off a corner from the right.
Immediately after the second goal, Skelmersdale introduced substitute Ben Tollitt and the youngster had an instant impact. Cutting the ball past two men and firing a shot at goal, Dan Mitchley diverted the shot into the Stamford net, but was declared offside. A goal then would surely have made a difference.
Skelmersdale continued to press and Stamford continued to look dangerous on the breakaway.
As the game entered the last minutes or so it became more and more obvious that Stamford would prevail and when in the 86th minute Ryan Robbins latched onto another long ball forwards on the left-hand side and stormed into the Skelmersdale area he was tripped by James, thankfully only a yellow card was administered and Robbins made it three from the penalty spot.
In one respect Skelmersdale were unlucky in that they had defended well early on as Stamford looked for that crucial opener, unlucky because you just couldn’t legislate for a goal like Stamford’s first. But they just didn’t create enough chances to save the game. It is far from all over in the race for the title as the chasing pack are not exactly consistent themselves and cannot be relied upon to make up the margin at the top of the league. But if they are to maintain their lead until the end of the season, Skelmersdale must win their home games.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: James, Fernandes, Holden, McIntosh ©, Wylie, Kirkbride, Bakkor (Tollitt, 60), Burton, Mitchley, McCarthy, Strickland (Meaney, 77) Subs (not used) Wright, Mooney, Paxton
STAMFORD: Stevens, Clarke, Jellyman, Challinor, Jones ©, Batchelor, McGowan, Lawlor (Carr, 90), Clements (Fox, 62), Smith, Robbins (Shariff, 89) Subs (not used) Bettles, Staff
Referee: Helen Byrne (Walton, Liverpool)
Attendance: 213
