Unbeaten United Overcome Ossett Town

Skelmersdale United 3 Ossett Town 0 (Image by John Driscoll)

'Who needs a home ground!' The quote from United fan Antony Halligan after the match as Skelmersdale United secured back-to-back wins and a third win in as many home stadiums with a 3-0 victory over Ossett Town.

The win saw United's unbeaten run extend to five games with three wins spread between their former Uretek Stadium, Marine Travel Arena and current 'home' stadium Prescot Cables' Volair Park. Dave Powell fielded the same starting eleven that defeated Mossley a fortnight ago and the early exchanges between the two sides were fairly even with the first real chance falling to the visitors.

Jake Ellam clipped a ball to the back post for Kai Hancock to power a shot at goal which after taking a deflection off Arnie Baxendale was a comfortable save for Callum Roberts. United replied with Callum Mahoney putting Andy Owens in on goal, the attacker's shot drawing a strong stop from Leigh Overton.

Minutes later, Owens had a flicked shot saved by Overton after collecting a lofted pass from Jack Fleming before Ashley Jackson's run and shot drew a low save from Roberts.

United broke the deadlock on 22 minutes, Jack Fleming finding Nathan Randell with a long pass which he took heavily, before benefitting from a mix-up between Overton and Steve Ridley to slot in for a 1-0 advantage.

Ossett had a chance to level with Anthony Mackie's near-post cross which forced a save from Roberts. United were unlucky not to extend the lead when a clever run by Mahoney saw a rifled shot force an acrobatic stop from Overton. A strong Mackie header from a corner took a deflection off Owens with Roberts well placed to save.

Early in the second half, substitute Martin Pembleton drew a low save from Roberts from a free-kick just outside the area. At the other end, Owens swept a free-kick over the bar before Ossett sub Liam Owen's run and shot saw a low save from Roberts.

United came achingly close to a second goal when a low cross from Randell found Bevan Burey at the near post who forced a point blank stop from Overton. The lead was doubled from the resulting corner as Rob Bourne's header forced a stop from Overton with Mahoney placed perfectly to fire in the rebound for 2-0.

Ossett's best chance to pull a goal back came as Owen clipped a pass to Hancock who looked to lift the ball over Roberts from close range, a tipped save resulted in a last-gasp goalline clearance from Jack Fleming.

United wrapped up the points on 84 minutes as Mahoney collected a long pass to pick out Owens who danced through the defence before slotting past Overton into the bottom corner. Owens went off for Chris Hill and minutes later he stung the palms of Overton with a long range effort. The final whistle was greeted by a roar from the home fans as the Blues made it five games unbeaten, a superb feat given the current off-field troubles.

Skelmersdale United - Roberts, Baxendale, Fleming, Roddy (C) Mooney, Wardle, Randell, Bourne (Lucy), Owens (Hill), Mahoney, Burey .Subs not used - Mitchell, Blackburn, Sims.

Ossett Town - Overton, Mackie, Assenso (Pembleton), Gregory, Snowden, Peterson (C), Ellam (Owen), Ridley (Mawson), South, Hancock, Jackson. Subs not used- Wright, Low.

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