Post by Kev Panther on Apr 18, 2018 8:45:38 GMT
A six-goal thriller at the Marine Travel Arena saw Radcliffe strike late on to deny Skelmersdale United a third consecutive league win in a 3-3 draw.
United started brightly with Harry Blackburn finding Bevan Burey whose shot cannoned off both the post and the hands of Radcliffe 'keeper Ryan Jones. Radcliffe's first chance came from former United defender Callum Grogan whose effort was taken cleanly by Callum Roberts.
A long pass from Liam Hollett found Andy Owens who sent a shot just past the post but it was the visitors who struck the first goal. A superb pass from Mason Fallon found striker James Hooper who lifted the ball over Roberts to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
United had chances to draw level with Burey sweeping a cross from the far side over the bar and Owens connecting to a Roddy corner with a back-heel flick which Jones collected. Radcliffe came close to doubling their lead with Nathan Quirk forcing a low save from Roberts before an unfortunate header from United substitute Casey Reid put Robson Buckley through on goal with a crucial block from Roberts denying him.
Jack Fleming arrowed a cross into the path of Owens who headed straight at Jones from close range before heading over from a Burey cross minutes later. Both sides continued to threaten with Mike Roddy sweeping a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar before Carl Peers forced two saves from Roberts in a matter of minutes with the latter coming from a tight angle.
A looping cross from Arnold Baxendale saw Blackburn head across goal with the clearance falling to Rob Bourne who shot over the bar just before half-time. The half-time briefing from Dave Powell worked wonders as United levelled within two minutes of the restart, Jack Fleming darted down the wing and after a long range one-two with Owens, he fired past Jones for 1-1. Radcliffe came close to regaining the lead as Hooper jinked past two defenders before hitting over the bar and minutes later Peers sent a shot narrowly passed the post. In the 66th minute, Keith Kearney forced a Roberts into a strong save after heading from a corner.
The visitors regained the lead on 75 minutes, after having his cross punched by Roberts, Peers swept in a second and a block from Reid cannoned off Bourne into the path of Kurt Sherlock who fired past Roberts for 2-1. The lead could have been cut instantly as Nathan Randell headed just past the post from Owens' cross.
United were gifted a chance to equalise on 80 minutes as Owens latched on to a lengthy back pass from Jake Doran to advance on goal before being taken out by Kearney and earning a penalty which he despatched past Jones into the bottom corner for 2-2.
Skelmersdale went ahead for the first time as a clever one-two with Chris Hill saw Callum Mahoney rifle the ball past Jones for a 3-2 advantage with four minutes to go. However, Radcliffe replied in style as a long pass from the left saw Fallon head into the path of Peers who lobbed the ball over Roberts to salvage a point for the visitors and though United were denied a win, they extended their unbeaten run to three games.
Skelmersdale United : Roberts, Baxendale, Fleming, Roddy, Hollett (Reid), Mooney, Randell (Hill), Bourne, Owens, Blackburn (Mahoney), Burey. Subs not used - Sims.
Radcliffe: Jones, Doran, Fallon, Jago, Kearney, Grogan, Quirk, Peers, Grier (Fitton), Hooper (Ellis), Buckley (Sherlock). Subs not used - Owens, Haslam.
United started brightly with Harry Blackburn finding Bevan Burey whose shot cannoned off both the post and the hands of Radcliffe 'keeper Ryan Jones. Radcliffe's first chance came from former United defender Callum Grogan whose effort was taken cleanly by Callum Roberts.
A long pass from Liam Hollett found Andy Owens who sent a shot just past the post but it was the visitors who struck the first goal. A superb pass from Mason Fallon found striker James Hooper who lifted the ball over Roberts to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
United had chances to draw level with Burey sweeping a cross from the far side over the bar and Owens connecting to a Roddy corner with a back-heel flick which Jones collected. Radcliffe came close to doubling their lead with Nathan Quirk forcing a low save from Roberts before an unfortunate header from United substitute Casey Reid put Robson Buckley through on goal with a crucial block from Roberts denying him.
Jack Fleming arrowed a cross into the path of Owens who headed straight at Jones from close range before heading over from a Burey cross minutes later. Both sides continued to threaten with Mike Roddy sweeping a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar before Carl Peers forced two saves from Roberts in a matter of minutes with the latter coming from a tight angle.
A looping cross from Arnold Baxendale saw Blackburn head across goal with the clearance falling to Rob Bourne who shot over the bar just before half-time. The half-time briefing from Dave Powell worked wonders as United levelled within two minutes of the restart, Jack Fleming darted down the wing and after a long range one-two with Owens, he fired past Jones for 1-1. Radcliffe came close to regaining the lead as Hooper jinked past two defenders before hitting over the bar and minutes later Peers sent a shot narrowly passed the post. In the 66th minute, Keith Kearney forced a Roberts into a strong save after heading from a corner.
The visitors regained the lead on 75 minutes, after having his cross punched by Roberts, Peers swept in a second and a block from Reid cannoned off Bourne into the path of Kurt Sherlock who fired past Roberts for 2-1. The lead could have been cut instantly as Nathan Randell headed just past the post from Owens' cross.
United were gifted a chance to equalise on 80 minutes as Owens latched on to a lengthy back pass from Jake Doran to advance on goal before being taken out by Kearney and earning a penalty which he despatched past Jones into the bottom corner for 2-2.
Skelmersdale went ahead for the first time as a clever one-two with Chris Hill saw Callum Mahoney rifle the ball past Jones for a 3-2 advantage with four minutes to go. However, Radcliffe replied in style as a long pass from the left saw Fallon head into the path of Peers who lobbed the ball over Roberts to salvage a point for the visitors and though United were denied a win, they extended their unbeaten run to three games.
Skelmersdale United : Roberts, Baxendale, Fleming, Roddy, Hollett (Reid), Mooney, Randell (Hill), Bourne, Owens, Blackburn (Mahoney), Burey. Subs not used - Sims.
Radcliffe: Jones, Doran, Fallon, Jago, Kearney, Grogan, Quirk, Peers, Grier (Fitton), Hooper (Ellis), Buckley (Sherlock). Subs not used - Owens, Haslam.