Post by Kev Panther on Mar 8, 2016 19:37:39 GMT
STAMFORD TOO STRONG FOR SKEM
STAMFORD 5 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale were forced to succumb down in Lincolnshire after the hosts better finishing left them 3-1 down on a first ever visit to the Zeeco Area. This is an opinion not just held by those from Skelmersdale but also by the home correspondent who quoted:” despite the score line it had been a very even first half with both sides looking dangerous coming forward” in his after match comments.
Stamford struck very early, the ball was lofted down the right-hand side and was helped on to Jake Newman who cut inside and sent an excellent dropping shot over Martin Fearon and left it nestling in the far corner.
Skelmersdale levelled on 14 minutes and it was the culmination of a good passing build-up. Paul Woolcott took his time and played the ball to an on the run Phil Mooney in the penalty area, he quickly released a short ball to Max Hazeldine, who dinked the ball into the corner of the net as home goalkeeper Paul Bastock closed him down.
However, two goals in five minutes around the half-hour put Stamford in charge.
After 27 minutes another lofted ball down the right was headed on by Newman to Jake Duffy, who after evading a couple of tackles drove the ball into the corner of the net.
On 32 minutes a weak header caused a problem. Right-back Taron Hare crossed into the area, the ball was only partially headed away and fell to experienced forward Greg Smith, who wrong footed Valtar Fernandes and fired into the net.
Stamford started the second-half strongly and Fearon was soon forced into making a couple of good saves, however, on 54 minutes he had no chance. Jordan Smith set off on a run down the left, and then cut inside breaking through a number of challenges before he was tripped in the penalty area by Fernandes. After a lot of arguing the Portuguese was perhaps fortunate to be shown a yellow, before Greg Smith smashed home his second goal of the game.
Twelve minute later it was all over. A Duffy free-kick from the left saw the ball bounce off the far post and back across goal, Jordan Smith won the race and stabbed the ball home from three yards.
Skelmersdale to their credit continued to press the Stamford goal rather than pack up and four minutes from time got their reward in the form of a consolation. Shaun Tuck hit the crossbar and the ball went wide to the right. Several seconds later the ball went back into the box and Kenny Strickland hit the crossbar, this time the ball went to Chris Almond he headed it to Tuck who headed home from close range.
Just to exacerbate a situation in which Skelmersdale generally played better than the margin suggests, the team coach broke down at the ground and the team was only able to embark on their return travel at around 7-30pm.
STAMFORD: Bastock ©, Hare, Luto, Malone, Hill, Hartley, Beeson, Duffy, Smith (G), Newman, Smith J. Subs Batchelor, Challinor, Downey, Wightwick, Hamilton
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes, Corrigan, McIntosh ©, Rendell, Mooney, McCarthy, Woolcott, Hazeldine, Strickland, Almond Subs Holden, Murphy, Tuck, Vassallo, Donaldson
Attendance: 345
STAMFORD 5 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale were forced to succumb down in Lincolnshire after the hosts better finishing left them 3-1 down on a first ever visit to the Zeeco Area. This is an opinion not just held by those from Skelmersdale but also by the home correspondent who quoted:” despite the score line it had been a very even first half with both sides looking dangerous coming forward” in his after match comments.
Stamford struck very early, the ball was lofted down the right-hand side and was helped on to Jake Newman who cut inside and sent an excellent dropping shot over Martin Fearon and left it nestling in the far corner.
Skelmersdale levelled on 14 minutes and it was the culmination of a good passing build-up. Paul Woolcott took his time and played the ball to an on the run Phil Mooney in the penalty area, he quickly released a short ball to Max Hazeldine, who dinked the ball into the corner of the net as home goalkeeper Paul Bastock closed him down.
However, two goals in five minutes around the half-hour put Stamford in charge.
After 27 minutes another lofted ball down the right was headed on by Newman to Jake Duffy, who after evading a couple of tackles drove the ball into the corner of the net.
On 32 minutes a weak header caused a problem. Right-back Taron Hare crossed into the area, the ball was only partially headed away and fell to experienced forward Greg Smith, who wrong footed Valtar Fernandes and fired into the net.
Stamford started the second-half strongly and Fearon was soon forced into making a couple of good saves, however, on 54 minutes he had no chance. Jordan Smith set off on a run down the left, and then cut inside breaking through a number of challenges before he was tripped in the penalty area by Fernandes. After a lot of arguing the Portuguese was perhaps fortunate to be shown a yellow, before Greg Smith smashed home his second goal of the game.
Twelve minute later it was all over. A Duffy free-kick from the left saw the ball bounce off the far post and back across goal, Jordan Smith won the race and stabbed the ball home from three yards.
Skelmersdale to their credit continued to press the Stamford goal rather than pack up and four minutes from time got their reward in the form of a consolation. Shaun Tuck hit the crossbar and the ball went wide to the right. Several seconds later the ball went back into the box and Kenny Strickland hit the crossbar, this time the ball went to Chris Almond he headed it to Tuck who headed home from close range.
Just to exacerbate a situation in which Skelmersdale generally played better than the margin suggests, the team coach broke down at the ground and the team was only able to embark on their return travel at around 7-30pm.
STAMFORD: Bastock ©, Hare, Luto, Malone, Hill, Hartley, Beeson, Duffy, Smith (G), Newman, Smith J. Subs Batchelor, Challinor, Downey, Wightwick, Hamilton
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes, Corrigan, McIntosh ©, Rendell, Mooney, McCarthy, Woolcott, Hazeldine, Strickland, Almond Subs Holden, Murphy, Tuck, Vassallo, Donaldson
Attendance: 345