Post by Kev Panther on Apr 18, 2018 8:50:12 GMT
After consecutive postponements due to the wintry weather, Skelmersdale United returned to action with a visit from Brighouse Town.
The sides met on the opening day of the 2017-18 season and alike that meeting, they were unfortunate to suffer a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Fog covered around two thirds of the Volair Park pitch ahead of kick-off but with a packed festive schedule ahead for both teams, thankfully the game went ahead. The first clear chance on goal saw Callum Robinson whip a near-post cross which United 'keeper Callum Roberts claimed comfortably.
Brighouse came close to gifting United the lead as a stray backpass from Daniel Grimshaw to Chris Butt saw Nathan Randell intercept and find Callum Mahoney, but the striker too heavy a touch to allow Butt to prevent the option of an open goal.
Minutes later, a looped cross from Jack Fleming found Andy Owens who clipped a header past the post. Owens had a another great chance to open the scoring as he collected a long aerial pass before sending a shot achingly past the post. Brighouse threatened at the other end with consecutive corners forcing strong clearances from the defence.
Mahoney forced a superb tipping save from Butt as he rifled a shot from long range and a brace of chances from Owens saw him clip Mike Roddy's free-kick over the bar before lofting another effort after a long pass from Jack Fleming.
Early in the second half, Mahoney connected to a cross from Bevan Burey but could only end his shot over the bar. Robinson replied for Brig with a long range effort which came close to grazing the crossbar. Mahoney clipped another long-range effort over the bar before a quick free-kick by debuting Anthony Plant saw Owens collect and turn on the ball only to tap past the post.
United's missed chances proved costly as Brighouse went ahead on 55 minutes, a long range free-kick saw Aaron Martin head across goal into the path of Gabriel Johnson who headed past Roberts for 1-0. United responded with Owens forcing a diving stop from Butt after Burey's through pass.
Brighouse came close to extending their lead as a cross from out wide was met by Johnson who sent a diving header just past the post. The visitors were to end the game with ten men after Connor Griffin received his second booking after a challenge on Mahoney.
United looked to take advantage of their extra man as Fleming's corner met the head of Josh Wardle who was denied a goal on his 21st birthday by a diving save from Butt. The final chance of the afternoon saw Roberts loft a free-kick into the area which the Brig defence dealt with ahead of the final whistle as they celebrated a home/away double over United.
The sides met on the opening day of the 2017-18 season and alike that meeting, they were unfortunate to suffer a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Fog covered around two thirds of the Volair Park pitch ahead of kick-off but with a packed festive schedule ahead for both teams, thankfully the game went ahead. The first clear chance on goal saw Callum Robinson whip a near-post cross which United 'keeper Callum Roberts claimed comfortably.
Brighouse came close to gifting United the lead as a stray backpass from Daniel Grimshaw to Chris Butt saw Nathan Randell intercept and find Callum Mahoney, but the striker too heavy a touch to allow Butt to prevent the option of an open goal.
Minutes later, a looped cross from Jack Fleming found Andy Owens who clipped a header past the post. Owens had a another great chance to open the scoring as he collected a long aerial pass before sending a shot achingly past the post. Brighouse threatened at the other end with consecutive corners forcing strong clearances from the defence.
Mahoney forced a superb tipping save from Butt as he rifled a shot from long range and a brace of chances from Owens saw him clip Mike Roddy's free-kick over the bar before lofting another effort after a long pass from Jack Fleming.
Early in the second half, Mahoney connected to a cross from Bevan Burey but could only end his shot over the bar. Robinson replied for Brig with a long range effort which came close to grazing the crossbar. Mahoney clipped another long-range effort over the bar before a quick free-kick by debuting Anthony Plant saw Owens collect and turn on the ball only to tap past the post.
United's missed chances proved costly as Brighouse went ahead on 55 minutes, a long range free-kick saw Aaron Martin head across goal into the path of Gabriel Johnson who headed past Roberts for 1-0. United responded with Owens forcing a diving stop from Butt after Burey's through pass.
Brighouse came close to extending their lead as a cross from out wide was met by Johnson who sent a diving header just past the post. The visitors were to end the game with ten men after Connor Griffin received his second booking after a challenge on Mahoney.
United looked to take advantage of their extra man as Fleming's corner met the head of Josh Wardle who was denied a goal on his 21st birthday by a diving save from Butt. The final chance of the afternoon saw Roberts loft a free-kick into the area which the Brig defence dealt with ahead of the final whistle as they celebrated a home/away double over United.