Post by Kev Panther on Mar 4, 2013 19:58:29 GMT
HUGHES GOAL KEEPS UNBEATEN HOME RECORD INTACT
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 GOOLE 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United were forced to dig very deep for this one as Goole came to the West Lancashire College Stadium, scored with their only two chances all afternoon then with it like “The Alamo” at the end clung onto a point but almost grabbed three. Mainly thanks to an inspired goalkeeper, some brave defending a bit of luck and a centre-forward of their own who is in top form.
Skelmersdale dominated the opening quarter-hour but even then a last gasp clearance or a block thwarted them. When Goole took the lead with a Bill Law header from a Lawrance Hunter free-kick there was not too much to panic about.
Skelmersdale carried on their offensive Josh Hine went close and Gary Burnett saw a shot on the turn scrape the post. In the 27th minute a clumsy challenge on Kenny Strickland brought about a free-kick on the right, Adam Morning’s initial effort was blocked but then he sent the rebound low into the goalmouth, Antony Hickey latched onto it, swivelled and put the ball low into the net.
Straight afterwards Hickey put a header just wide, then goalkeeper Lee Appleby saved a Paul Woolcott chip.
In the 34th minute another free-kick was given on the left, as it was lifted in Skelmersdale’s most reliable defender inexplicably slipped and hit the ground leaving Law to guide his now free header firmly into the corner of the net.
There was still no panic from Skelmersdale, they were well on top and “surely the equaliser wouldn’t be long arriving.”
Just before the break Appleby made another great save from Hine and after the break he forced Burnett to shoot wide.
As the half progressed a defender blocked a goalbound effort from Burnett then Appleby saved again, this time at the striker’s feet, before making a full length foil from the same player.
Tommy Lawson introduced Tony Evans and Mike Phenix and they took time to settle, while Appleby made a fine punching save from Strickland.
In the last ten minutes the Skelmersdale pressure became seriously intense, but the ball just wouldn’t fall Skelmersdale’s way. Appleby made a superb diving save from a Phenix header and Evans went close with the rebound, then a Lewis Field cross found Burnett at the far post, but his header went fractionally the wrong side of it.
There was five minutes of added time and two minutes in Phenix shoulder charged goalkeeper Appleby who had the ball in his hands. There was then a five minute delay, while Appleby got treatment to an ankle injury, eventually he was replaced by Neale May, another goalkeeper.
After sixty seconds the ball was lifted into the box, there was an almighty scramble, Matty Hughes ran in from the right and despatched the ball low into the Goole net from 10 yards.
The final whistle brought about the contrasting situation where both teams were disappointed they didn’t win, Goole had ridden their luck, but had defended bravely and taken the chances that were offered to them and for that deserve high praise. Skelmersdale could have been forgiven if they had downed tools and said “It just isn’t our day.” But they didn’t and the point wasn’t lost on Tommy Lawson after the game when he said; “We didn’t give up, nothing was falling our way, it happens like that in football sometimes, Goole worked their socks off but it was team spirit that got us what could be a vital point at the end of the season. That’s been a hallmark of our play all season.”
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Morning, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland, Hickey (Phenix, 75), Woolcott, Hine (Evans, 57), Burnett, Hughes Subs (not used) Jackson, Wright, McCartney
GOOLE: Appleby (May, 90), Robson, Hunter, Wakefield, Colbear, Allott, Ovington (Hayward, 84), Claisse ©, Sibinge (Baggaley, 63), Law, Taylor Sub (not used) Green
Referee; Mike Jones (Altrincham)
Attendance: 218
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 GOOLE 2
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United were forced to dig very deep for this one as Goole came to the West Lancashire College Stadium, scored with their only two chances all afternoon then with it like “The Alamo” at the end clung onto a point but almost grabbed three. Mainly thanks to an inspired goalkeeper, some brave defending a bit of luck and a centre-forward of their own who is in top form.
Skelmersdale dominated the opening quarter-hour but even then a last gasp clearance or a block thwarted them. When Goole took the lead with a Bill Law header from a Lawrance Hunter free-kick there was not too much to panic about.
Skelmersdale carried on their offensive Josh Hine went close and Gary Burnett saw a shot on the turn scrape the post. In the 27th minute a clumsy challenge on Kenny Strickland brought about a free-kick on the right, Adam Morning’s initial effort was blocked but then he sent the rebound low into the goalmouth, Antony Hickey latched onto it, swivelled and put the ball low into the net.
Straight afterwards Hickey put a header just wide, then goalkeeper Lee Appleby saved a Paul Woolcott chip.
In the 34th minute another free-kick was given on the left, as it was lifted in Skelmersdale’s most reliable defender inexplicably slipped and hit the ground leaving Law to guide his now free header firmly into the corner of the net.
There was still no panic from Skelmersdale, they were well on top and “surely the equaliser wouldn’t be long arriving.”
Just before the break Appleby made another great save from Hine and after the break he forced Burnett to shoot wide.
As the half progressed a defender blocked a goalbound effort from Burnett then Appleby saved again, this time at the striker’s feet, before making a full length foil from the same player.
Tommy Lawson introduced Tony Evans and Mike Phenix and they took time to settle, while Appleby made a fine punching save from Strickland.
In the last ten minutes the Skelmersdale pressure became seriously intense, but the ball just wouldn’t fall Skelmersdale’s way. Appleby made a superb diving save from a Phenix header and Evans went close with the rebound, then a Lewis Field cross found Burnett at the far post, but his header went fractionally the wrong side of it.
There was five minutes of added time and two minutes in Phenix shoulder charged goalkeeper Appleby who had the ball in his hands. There was then a five minute delay, while Appleby got treatment to an ankle injury, eventually he was replaced by Neale May, another goalkeeper.
After sixty seconds the ball was lifted into the box, there was an almighty scramble, Matty Hughes ran in from the right and despatched the ball low into the Goole net from 10 yards.
The final whistle brought about the contrasting situation where both teams were disappointed they didn’t win, Goole had ridden their luck, but had defended bravely and taken the chances that were offered to them and for that deserve high praise. Skelmersdale could have been forgiven if they had downed tools and said “It just isn’t our day.” But they didn’t and the point wasn’t lost on Tommy Lawson after the game when he said; “We didn’t give up, nothing was falling our way, it happens like that in football sometimes, Goole worked their socks off but it was team spirit that got us what could be a vital point at the end of the season. That’s been a hallmark of our play all season.”
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Ashton, Field, Morning, Hardwick ©, McIntosh, Strickland, Hickey (Phenix, 75), Woolcott, Hine (Evans, 57), Burnett, Hughes Subs (not used) Jackson, Wright, McCartney
GOOLE: Appleby (May, 90), Robson, Hunter, Wakefield, Colbear, Allott, Ovington (Hayward, 84), Claisse ©, Sibinge (Baggaley, 63), Law, Taylor Sub (not used) Green
Referee; Mike Jones (Altrincham)
Attendance: 218