Post by puskas on Jul 25, 2012 10:21:49 GMT
CROWDER FREE KICK GIVES SKELMERSDALE VICTORY
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 SOUTHPORT 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
For the second year running a top class goal gave Skelmersdale United victory over Southport in the annual pre-season fixture at the West Lancashire College Stadium, in a closely fought but highly entertaining encounter.
A large summer crowd greeted the teams for a game that usually produces some great football and one that fully lived up to its billing.
After goalmouth action at both ends, it was Skelmersdale that took the advantage in the 12th minute. Kenny Strickland hoisted the ball into the Sandgrounders penalty area from the left, Rob McIntosh nipped in between two defenders then dinked a fine dropping header over keeper Matt Nemes and into the net.
However, the hosts lead was to last only three minutes, as United keeper Sam Ashton was adjudged to have caught a pass back from his defence and a free-kick was awarded. Bringing about a well worked move that culminated in a well struck goal from Port’s leading marksman of last season Tony Gray.
Before the interval both teams had opportunities. Skelmersdale’s Josh Hine was thwarted by Nemes and only a determined challenge by United defender Louis Corrigan kept Gray at bay.
In the fiftieth minute, Skelmersdale’s new signing Warren Bellew almost capped a promising performance by setting up Antony Hickey in front of goal, the striker unable to convert a thigh level cross from the left.
Gray, who looked Southport’s most dangerous forward all night, saw a powerful shot dip over the Skelmersdale in the 57th minute.
In the 61st minute Skelmersdale went back into the lead. A free-kick was given for handball inside the penalty area semi-circle. After much deliberation between Strickland and Martin Crowder, the latter drove the ball low to Nemes right, the ball entering the net via the post.
Both teams made changes in the last twenty minutes or so and to some extent the quality of the football did suffer, but not severely. Skelmersdale substitute Mike Duffy went close and Gray saw a free-kick blocked.
Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson was pleased after the game and said he is looking forward to the next two games; at Runcorn Linnets on Saturday 28th July and at home to another Blue Square Premier side Stockport County on Wednesday 1st August.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED (Players used) Ashton, Field, Corrigan, Hardwick, Rendell, McIntosh, Burke, Peate, Norris, Duffy, Strickland, Woolcott, Evans, Simpson, Birchall, Crowder, Bathurst, Hine, Hickey, Bellew
SOUTHPORT (Players used) Nemes, Parry, Aley, Lynch, Grand, Moogan, Whalley, Joyce, Gray, Benjamin, Bakare, McMillan, Barnes, Chalmers, Lever, McCarthy
Referee: Joe Johnson
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 SOUTHPORT 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
For the second year running a top class goal gave Skelmersdale United victory over Southport in the annual pre-season fixture at the West Lancashire College Stadium, in a closely fought but highly entertaining encounter.
A large summer crowd greeted the teams for a game that usually produces some great football and one that fully lived up to its billing.
After goalmouth action at both ends, it was Skelmersdale that took the advantage in the 12th minute. Kenny Strickland hoisted the ball into the Sandgrounders penalty area from the left, Rob McIntosh nipped in between two defenders then dinked a fine dropping header over keeper Matt Nemes and into the net.
However, the hosts lead was to last only three minutes, as United keeper Sam Ashton was adjudged to have caught a pass back from his defence and a free-kick was awarded. Bringing about a well worked move that culminated in a well struck goal from Port’s leading marksman of last season Tony Gray.
Before the interval both teams had opportunities. Skelmersdale’s Josh Hine was thwarted by Nemes and only a determined challenge by United defender Louis Corrigan kept Gray at bay.
In the fiftieth minute, Skelmersdale’s new signing Warren Bellew almost capped a promising performance by setting up Antony Hickey in front of goal, the striker unable to convert a thigh level cross from the left.
Gray, who looked Southport’s most dangerous forward all night, saw a powerful shot dip over the Skelmersdale in the 57th minute.
In the 61st minute Skelmersdale went back into the lead. A free-kick was given for handball inside the penalty area semi-circle. After much deliberation between Strickland and Martin Crowder, the latter drove the ball low to Nemes right, the ball entering the net via the post.
Both teams made changes in the last twenty minutes or so and to some extent the quality of the football did suffer, but not severely. Skelmersdale substitute Mike Duffy went close and Gray saw a free-kick blocked.
Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson was pleased after the game and said he is looking forward to the next two games; at Runcorn Linnets on Saturday 28th July and at home to another Blue Square Premier side Stockport County on Wednesday 1st August.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED (Players used) Ashton, Field, Corrigan, Hardwick, Rendell, McIntosh, Burke, Peate, Norris, Duffy, Strickland, Woolcott, Evans, Simpson, Birchall, Crowder, Bathurst, Hine, Hickey, Bellew
SOUTHPORT (Players used) Nemes, Parry, Aley, Lynch, Grand, Moogan, Whalley, Joyce, Gray, Benjamin, Bakare, McMillan, Barnes, Chalmers, Lever, McCarthy
Referee: Joe Johnson