Post by Kev Panther on Sept 10, 2017 12:44:17 GMT
It was always going to be a tough game for Skelmersdale at the Butchers Arms ground, Droylsden have started the season well and a victory for the hosts would put them into second place in the Evo-Stik Division One North table. Manager Alan Rogers made four changes to the starting line-up from Saturday and swapped the tactics to play three at the back with two wing-backs, up front he had Remy Howarth playing off Richard Brodie.
Skelmersdale were under pressure from the off and in the fifth minute former Burscough and Southport striker Ciaran Kilheeney flicked a Dom Smith pass into the penalty area just wide of the far post.
Skelmersdale goalkeeper Jack Sims had a busy night and plenty of opportunity to show just why he won the supporters player of the month for August. The keeper saved at his near-post (left-hand) from Dom Smith in the eighth minute then at his near-post (right-hand) from Liam Caddick in the twelfth minute.
Sims made probably his best save of the night on 14 minutes. Dom Smith’s through ball put Kilheeney clean in on goal he was balanced and set to score when Sims swept in and blocked the shot at Kilheeney’s feet.
Sims made another save on 30 minutes that rivalled the 14th minute one, launching himself high to his left to claw Kilheeney’s left-foot shot away for a corner, it was certainly more spectacular.
Skelmersdale showed plenty of fight to stay in the game in the first-half, they certainly weren’t going to make it easy for Droylsden and by half-time they deserved their 15 minute break.
After Callum Jones cleared from under the Skelmersdale crossbar in the 50th minute, Alan Rogers had clearly had enough and he changed things. He brought on Beven Burey and Andy Owens; he also went back to a 4-4-2 formation. It made a considerable difference and Skelmersdale looked far more comfortable.
Within two minutes of the change Owens was fouled around twenty yards from goal, he took the free-kick himself and was only thwarted by a good diving save by Droylsden goalkeeper Richie Branagan.
Skelmersdale were now far more of a threat in attack, but Droylsden were still dangerous and Kilheeney got unlucky again when his header from a corner thumped the crossbar.
In the 64th minute Droylsden grabbed the lead. A corner from the right was headed out but only found Caddick about 20 yards from goal, he smashed a low drive into the bottom corner of the Skelmersdale net to make it 1-0.
Skelmersdale responded superbly and were unlucky to see an Owens shot finger tipped around the Droylsden post by Branagan. Followed soon afterwards by an Owens header that went just off target after a cross from the left-wing.
Droylsden were still pressing though and Gareth Roberts cleared a Danny Hall header off the line.
It was still in the balance until four minutes from the end. Luke Daly crossed into the Skelmersdale area from the right and substitute Steve Hall sent a far post header dropping into the far corner, to make it 2-0.
Skelmersdale to their credit didn’t give up and on 90 minutes and in added time Owens and Burey went close again.
DROYLSDEN: Branagan, Antoine Clarke, Barber, Frost A., Hall D., Smith Dylan, Daly, Frost J. (Metcalfe, 76), Kilheeney ©, Smith Dom (Rouse, 88), Caddick (Hall S., 76) Subs (not used) Rudge, Bagshaw
Droylsden (A) 5/9 (John Driscoll) 20 photos
Match photos
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Sims, Mooney, Roberts, Jones, Vaughan-Muscat, Ventre ©, Crane, Bradshaw (Owens, 51), Stewart (Burey, 51), Brodie, Howarth Subs (not used) Holmes, Codling, Gillespie
Referee: Lee Hibie
Attendance: 132
Skelmersdale were under pressure from the off and in the fifth minute former Burscough and Southport striker Ciaran Kilheeney flicked a Dom Smith pass into the penalty area just wide of the far post.
Skelmersdale goalkeeper Jack Sims had a busy night and plenty of opportunity to show just why he won the supporters player of the month for August. The keeper saved at his near-post (left-hand) from Dom Smith in the eighth minute then at his near-post (right-hand) from Liam Caddick in the twelfth minute.
Sims made probably his best save of the night on 14 minutes. Dom Smith’s through ball put Kilheeney clean in on goal he was balanced and set to score when Sims swept in and blocked the shot at Kilheeney’s feet.
Sims made another save on 30 minutes that rivalled the 14th minute one, launching himself high to his left to claw Kilheeney’s left-foot shot away for a corner, it was certainly more spectacular.
Skelmersdale showed plenty of fight to stay in the game in the first-half, they certainly weren’t going to make it easy for Droylsden and by half-time they deserved their 15 minute break.
After Callum Jones cleared from under the Skelmersdale crossbar in the 50th minute, Alan Rogers had clearly had enough and he changed things. He brought on Beven Burey and Andy Owens; he also went back to a 4-4-2 formation. It made a considerable difference and Skelmersdale looked far more comfortable.
Within two minutes of the change Owens was fouled around twenty yards from goal, he took the free-kick himself and was only thwarted by a good diving save by Droylsden goalkeeper Richie Branagan.
Skelmersdale were now far more of a threat in attack, but Droylsden were still dangerous and Kilheeney got unlucky again when his header from a corner thumped the crossbar.
In the 64th minute Droylsden grabbed the lead. A corner from the right was headed out but only found Caddick about 20 yards from goal, he smashed a low drive into the bottom corner of the Skelmersdale net to make it 1-0.
Skelmersdale responded superbly and were unlucky to see an Owens shot finger tipped around the Droylsden post by Branagan. Followed soon afterwards by an Owens header that went just off target after a cross from the left-wing.
Droylsden were still pressing though and Gareth Roberts cleared a Danny Hall header off the line.
It was still in the balance until four minutes from the end. Luke Daly crossed into the Skelmersdale area from the right and substitute Steve Hall sent a far post header dropping into the far corner, to make it 2-0.
Skelmersdale to their credit didn’t give up and on 90 minutes and in added time Owens and Burey went close again.
DROYLSDEN: Branagan, Antoine Clarke, Barber, Frost A., Hall D., Smith Dylan, Daly, Frost J. (Metcalfe, 76), Kilheeney ©, Smith Dom (Rouse, 88), Caddick (Hall S., 76) Subs (not used) Rudge, Bagshaw
Droylsden (A) 5/9 (John Driscoll) 20 photos
Match photos
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Sims, Mooney, Roberts, Jones, Vaughan-Muscat, Ventre ©, Crane, Bradshaw (Owens, 51), Stewart (Burey, 51), Brodie, Howarth Subs (not used) Holmes, Codling, Gillespie
Referee: Lee Hibie
Attendance: 132