Post by Kev Panther on Feb 11, 2014 18:01:42 GMT
SKELMERSDALE HAVE SIGHTS SET ON GLORY
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 BUXTON 0
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United are snapping on the heels of Chorley at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier, when by the look of Saturday’s performance they have certainly not given up their terrier like battle with the Magpies. They also did enough to strengthen their position and create a four point buffer between them and third placed AFC Fylde with what in essence was a comfortable victory at the West Lancashire College Stadium.
The heavens opened as both teams entered the pitch, but it did nothing to dampen Skelmersdale’s spirit and they quickly created a storm in the Buxton goalmouth and could have gone into the lead inside ninety seconds as Adam Morning went close.
Dean Astbury and the impressive Neil Prince followed up with serious threats before United finally got their due reward in the 12th minute. Prince finishing clinically after Kenny Strickland and Astbury combined to create havoc in the Buxton backline.
All Buxton could muster in response was a 25 yard shot from Spencer Harris that was dealt with easily by Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert.
After a trip on Prince, Buxton’s experienced goalkeeper Andy Warrington thwarted Strickland in the 28th minute before Tommy Lawson’s lads doubled their advantage just before the break. Ashley Dunn thundering a shot into the top corner after Morning set him up, an act that won Dunn the 06 Vauxhall Man of the Match award.
In between Strickland’s shot and the goal, Skelmersdale lost midfielder Prince to a heel injury caused by a very poor tackle by Buxton’s Stuart Ludlam. The number two was a bit lucky only to see a yellow card, an issue that clearly wasn’t lost on Tommy Lawson when he spoke to referee Steven Mycock during the interval. A brief conversation with Prince after game revealed that his heel was cut, but he was hopeful it wasn’t as bad an injury as was first feared.
The second-half saw Buxton raise their game, but they didn’t have any success against a well organised Skelmersdale defence.
Mark Reed had an overhead kick saved by Hibbert and the home keeper left his line to save at Craig King’s feet in the most dangerous of their raids.
Skelmersdale always looked like they had more in reserve if Buxton pulled a goal back. One of the big successes of the afternoon was the return to the starting line-up of long term injury casualty Lewis Field, who although rested after the hour mark looked almost like he had never been missing.
Buxton in the end were perhaps fortunate to finish the game with eleven men, they received four bookings and only the patience of referee Mycock kept the full complement of players on the field.
Skem will tackle another Derbyshire outfit next week when they make a first ever trip to Ilkeston.
SKELMERSDALE: Hibbert, Field (Miller, 64), Ince (Peet, 72), Hardwick ©, Wylie, Dunn, Strickland, Burton, Astbury, Morning, Prince (Holden, 37) Subs (not used) McIntosh, Greene
BUXTON: Warrington, Ludlam, Green, Istead ©, Palmer, Harris, Taylor (Davis, 53), Niven, Reed, Thornhill, King Subs (not used) Stevens, Ryan, Johnson, Stanway
Referee: Steven Mycock
Attendance 211
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 2 BUXTON 0
By Neil Leatherbarrow
Skelmersdale United are snapping on the heels of Chorley at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier, when by the look of Saturday’s performance they have certainly not given up their terrier like battle with the Magpies. They also did enough to strengthen their position and create a four point buffer between them and third placed AFC Fylde with what in essence was a comfortable victory at the West Lancashire College Stadium.
The heavens opened as both teams entered the pitch, but it did nothing to dampen Skelmersdale’s spirit and they quickly created a storm in the Buxton goalmouth and could have gone into the lead inside ninety seconds as Adam Morning went close.
Dean Astbury and the impressive Neil Prince followed up with serious threats before United finally got their due reward in the 12th minute. Prince finishing clinically after Kenny Strickland and Astbury combined to create havoc in the Buxton backline.
All Buxton could muster in response was a 25 yard shot from Spencer Harris that was dealt with easily by Skelmersdale goalkeeper Zac Hibbert.
After a trip on Prince, Buxton’s experienced goalkeeper Andy Warrington thwarted Strickland in the 28th minute before Tommy Lawson’s lads doubled their advantage just before the break. Ashley Dunn thundering a shot into the top corner after Morning set him up, an act that won Dunn the 06 Vauxhall Man of the Match award.
In between Strickland’s shot and the goal, Skelmersdale lost midfielder Prince to a heel injury caused by a very poor tackle by Buxton’s Stuart Ludlam. The number two was a bit lucky only to see a yellow card, an issue that clearly wasn’t lost on Tommy Lawson when he spoke to referee Steven Mycock during the interval. A brief conversation with Prince after game revealed that his heel was cut, but he was hopeful it wasn’t as bad an injury as was first feared.
The second-half saw Buxton raise their game, but they didn’t have any success against a well organised Skelmersdale defence.
Mark Reed had an overhead kick saved by Hibbert and the home keeper left his line to save at Craig King’s feet in the most dangerous of their raids.
Skelmersdale always looked like they had more in reserve if Buxton pulled a goal back. One of the big successes of the afternoon was the return to the starting line-up of long term injury casualty Lewis Field, who although rested after the hour mark looked almost like he had never been missing.
Buxton in the end were perhaps fortunate to finish the game with eleven men, they received four bookings and only the patience of referee Mycock kept the full complement of players on the field.
Skem will tackle another Derbyshire outfit next week when they make a first ever trip to Ilkeston.
SKELMERSDALE: Hibbert, Field (Miller, 64), Ince (Peet, 72), Hardwick ©, Wylie, Dunn, Strickland, Burton, Astbury, Morning, Prince (Holden, 37) Subs (not used) McIntosh, Greene
BUXTON: Warrington, Ludlam, Green, Istead ©, Palmer, Harris, Taylor (Davis, 53), Niven, Reed, Thornhill, King Subs (not used) Stevens, Ryan, Johnson, Stanway
Referee: Steven Mycock
Attendance 211