Post by Kev Panther on Feb 27, 2013 19:33:59 GMT
SIX SHOT SKEM SURGE TWELVE POINTS CLEAR
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 6 CAMMELL LAIRD 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United showed little mercy to Cammell Laird at the West Lancashire College Stadium as they stormed into the lead in the fourth minute and a brief hiccup apart never remotely looked like slipping up. The huge win leaving Tommy Lawson’s men twelve points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Division One North, a position that has been aided greatly by a February record that reads played seven, won six, drawn one.
Matty Hughes grabbed the Skelmersdale opener, the ball was worked from midfield to the left, from where an overlapping Warren Bellew delivered a precise ball to an on the run Hughes who was cutting in from the right, he drove the ball low into the net from about eight yards.
Laird’s goalkeeper Kevin Atherton made a terrific save from Josh Hine in the 14th minute. However, Atherton had no chance in the 18th minute, another move down the left put the ball into the box, Hughes pounced onto the ball and this time put a vicious curling shot low into the far corner.
The game was an end to end one though and although the Skelmersdale defence nullified most of Laird’s offensive efforts. In the 19th minute a clever knockdown by Aaron Bowen put Joe Holt in on goal, but he was thwarted by a brilliant save at his feet by United keeper Sam Ashton.
The third Skelmersdale goal in the 24th minute was a classic. Right-back Lewis Field set off on a run then he released Gary Burnett at pace down the right, Burnett clipped the ball to the far side of the penalty box and Josh Hine tapped the ball into the net. It was a stunning move,
Cammell Laird’s are in the chase for the play-offs on merit, they are a good footballing side in their own right too and in the 37th minute they pulled a goal back. Former Skelmersdale player Joe Evans made a driving run into the heart of the Skelmersdale defence and was tripped by Tom Hardwick, a penalty was given and Jamie Henders thundered the spot-kick into the Skelmersdale net.
Skelmersdale were in a determined mood and Hughes became provider right on half-time and Hine restored Skelmersdale’s three goal advantage.
After goalkeeper Atherton made a great save to prevent Hine from registering a hat-trick soon after the interval, the game became more of a midfield battle. Laird’s were trying hard to reduce the deficit, but Skelmersdale’s defence were not prepared to allow them that luxury. Although Laird’s had more possession during this period, goalkeeper Sam Ashton was not all that busy and you got the impression Skelmersdale could step up a gear at will.
Skelmersdale did put their foot down again in the latter stages. Initially in the 74th minute Hughes was desperately unlucky not to complete his hat-trick as his shot thumped against the post.
In the 80th minute a massive scramble in the Laird’s area ended in a great save by Kevin Atherton from Mike Phenix, a minute later though it was five. A quick turn and shot from Antony Hickey doing the trick.
Phenix made it six a couple of minutes from time. It was a comprehensive victory by Skelmersdale, achieved against an inform team, too. It’s another big step along the road, the destination? A place manager Tommy Lawson would not appreciate me mentioning, but I think everyone knows what is on every Skelmersdale United supporters mind.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Bellew, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland (Wright, 64), Hickey, Woolcott, Hine (Phenix, 68), Burnett (Evans T., 68), Hughes Subs (not used) Morning, Jackson
CAMMELL LAIRD: Atherton K., Potter (Ferrigan, 83), Parle, Grogan, O’Brien, Atherton L. ©, Henders, Bowen, Evans J., Foley (Cairns, 64), Holt (Couch, 88) Sub (not used) Richards
Referee: Gary Hilton (Liverpool)
Attendance: 177
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 6 CAMMELL LAIRD 1
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United showed little mercy to Cammell Laird at the West Lancashire College Stadium as they stormed into the lead in the fourth minute and a brief hiccup apart never remotely looked like slipping up. The huge win leaving Tommy Lawson’s men twelve points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Division One North, a position that has been aided greatly by a February record that reads played seven, won six, drawn one.
Matty Hughes grabbed the Skelmersdale opener, the ball was worked from midfield to the left, from where an overlapping Warren Bellew delivered a precise ball to an on the run Hughes who was cutting in from the right, he drove the ball low into the net from about eight yards.
Laird’s goalkeeper Kevin Atherton made a terrific save from Josh Hine in the 14th minute. However, Atherton had no chance in the 18th minute, another move down the left put the ball into the box, Hughes pounced onto the ball and this time put a vicious curling shot low into the far corner.
The game was an end to end one though and although the Skelmersdale defence nullified most of Laird’s offensive efforts. In the 19th minute a clever knockdown by Aaron Bowen put Joe Holt in on goal, but he was thwarted by a brilliant save at his feet by United keeper Sam Ashton.
The third Skelmersdale goal in the 24th minute was a classic. Right-back Lewis Field set off on a run then he released Gary Burnett at pace down the right, Burnett clipped the ball to the far side of the penalty box and Josh Hine tapped the ball into the net. It was a stunning move,
Cammell Laird’s are in the chase for the play-offs on merit, they are a good footballing side in their own right too and in the 37th minute they pulled a goal back. Former Skelmersdale player Joe Evans made a driving run into the heart of the Skelmersdale defence and was tripped by Tom Hardwick, a penalty was given and Jamie Henders thundered the spot-kick into the Skelmersdale net.
Skelmersdale were in a determined mood and Hughes became provider right on half-time and Hine restored Skelmersdale’s three goal advantage.
After goalkeeper Atherton made a great save to prevent Hine from registering a hat-trick soon after the interval, the game became more of a midfield battle. Laird’s were trying hard to reduce the deficit, but Skelmersdale’s defence were not prepared to allow them that luxury. Although Laird’s had more possession during this period, goalkeeper Sam Ashton was not all that busy and you got the impression Skelmersdale could step up a gear at will.
Skelmersdale did put their foot down again in the latter stages. Initially in the 74th minute Hughes was desperately unlucky not to complete his hat-trick as his shot thumped against the post.
In the 80th minute a massive scramble in the Laird’s area ended in a great save by Kevin Atherton from Mike Phenix, a minute later though it was five. A quick turn and shot from Antony Hickey doing the trick.
Phenix made it six a couple of minutes from time. It was a comprehensive victory by Skelmersdale, achieved against an inform team, too. It’s another big step along the road, the destination? A place manager Tommy Lawson would not appreciate me mentioning, but I think everyone knows what is on every Skelmersdale United supporters mind.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Bellew, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland (Wright, 64), Hickey, Woolcott, Hine (Phenix, 68), Burnett (Evans T., 68), Hughes Subs (not used) Morning, Jackson
CAMMELL LAIRD: Atherton K., Potter (Ferrigan, 83), Parle, Grogan, O’Brien, Atherton L. ©, Henders, Bowen, Evans J., Foley (Cairns, 64), Holt (Couch, 88) Sub (not used) Richards
Referee: Gary Hilton (Liverpool)
Attendance: 177