Although the scoreline tells one story, the real story is that Skelmersdale United comfortably overcame the opposition posed by Evo-Stik Division One North Radcliffe Borough at Stormy Corner. Manager Tommy Lawson made six changes to the team that beat Blyth Spartans in midweek then saw his side romp into a 3-0 lead then a 4-1 lead, before two goals very near the full-time whistle gave Radcliffe an air of respectability that in fairness were rewards for the non-stop effort they put in during the afternoon.

Skelmersdale opened the scoring after nine minutes, midfielder Aidan Kirkbride reading that Radcliffe defender Richard Smith was struggling to judge the flight of Martin Fearon’s clearance, sprinted in pinched the ball then rocketed it past Borough goalkeeper Chris Cheetham from about 10 yards.

Two minutes later Kenny Strickland hit the crossbar with such ferocity that Cheetham was completely rooted to the spot, but his prayers were answered.

The second goal duly arrived in the 17th minute. After Ross Lloyd fed the ball down the line, Josh Sumner shot past left-back Danny Lambert to the extent that the defender crashed into the linesman, Sumner crossed and Michael Monaghan ran in to open his Skelmersdale goal account with a vicious volley.

Radcliffe spent most of the remainder of the first-half under pressure, but they did pose one major problem in the 27th minute, Chris Mason being put through by a ball over the top, however, Fearon thwarted him with an outstretched leg.

By the break, Dan Mitchley saw a shot saved by Cheetham, Smith redeemed himself somewhat with a desperate clearance and Peter Wylie saw a goalbound shot blocked on the line.

It continued after the restart, Phil Mooney brought a great near-post save out of Cheetham and Kirkbride had a shot saved after a mazy run by Sumner that earned the winger the MJ Quinn Services Man of the Match award, before the inevitable happened in the 59th minute, Skelmersdale got a third goal. Strickland this time aiming a couple of inches lower with a free-kick, that roared into the top corner.

After the third goal Skelmersdale took their foot off the gas and Radcliffe came more into the game. But before they pulled a goal back there was still enough pressure from Skelmersdale for Mitchley to be frustrated by the post.

In the 78th minute, Dave Sherlock found the time and space to fire low past Fearon.

There was no panic, Skelmersdale simply went up the other end and Mitchley made it 4-1, nipping in to head home a Strickland free-kick in the 83rd minute.

Mike McGinley pulled another goal back in the 87th for Radcliffe, but there was still no stress from Skelmersdale.

The referee signalled three minutes added time and it the “fourth” added minute Dan Lafferty pulled another back. It was far too late to matter, Skelmersdale were through to the draw on Monday.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Lloyd, Wisdom, Wylie (O’Reilly, 61), Bodie, Kirkbride, Sumner, Strickland ©, Mitchley, Mooney, Monaghan Subs (not used) Thompson, Simpson, McCarthy, Ince

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Cheetham, Wedge, Lambert, Lafferty ©, Smith, Howell, Grimshaw, White (Hulme, 60), Mason, Rokka (Sherlock, 74), Hindle (McGinley, 45) Sub (not used) Magee

Referee: James Price (Bradford)
Attendance: 194