Skem Suffer Linnets Loss

SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 RUNCORN LINNETS 3

United's wait for a first league win this season continues after a 3-1 loss at home to Runcorn Linnets on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dave Powell made four changes to the team that exited the FA Cup on Saturday while a number of ex-United players were included in the Linnets lineup.

An unfortunate Callum Woods own goal just before half time and header from Paul Shanley saw Runcorn lead 2-0 on 53 minutes, Mike Roddy's header on 72 minutes for United reduced the deficit before former Skem defender Louis Corrigan converted a penalty late on.

The Linnets had the first chances of the afternoon as a cross from Aaron Morris saw Kyle Hamid head just over the bar with seven minutes played and six minutes later, Kristian Holt drew a strong save from Terry Smith.

United replied with Kyle Hawley finding Paul Ennis who forced a strong stop from Dylan Forth before Mike Simpson fired over the bar at the other end and Louis Corrigan saw a ranged effort parried by Smith.

Skem's were unfortunate not to go ahead on 24 minutes as Forth tipped Kevin Edgar's ranged shot onto the post. However, it was the visitors who struck first with 44 minutes on the clock, Holt collecting a free-kick before cutting inside and crossing low into the path of Calum Woods who deflected into his own net for 1-0.

United looked to respond instantly in the second half as a mistake by Forth saw Edgar collect but he saw two efforts blocked in a matter of seconds. The blocks were pivotal as five minutes later, Runcorn doubled their lead with Paul Shanley heading past Smith for 2-0.

United's main threats stemmed from Will Dunne as he forced blocks in both the 55th and 60th minutes before providing a lifeline on 72 minutes. His long range free kick met the head of Mike Roddy who headed over Forth from close range to halve the deficit at 2-1.

United had the momentum in the final ten minutes with chances aplenty, Dunne's low shot was cleared off the line by Dan O'Brien before Forth's stunning save minutes later denied Dunne from scoring a well-deserved equaliser.

Phil Mooney's far post header crept over the bar from Dunne's cross before Edgar was denied by strong defence by substitute Declan Gallagher. The final minutes of added time saw Runcorn wrap up the points as a counter attack resulted in Shanley rounding Smith with the 'keeper adjudged to clip him leading to a penalty being awarded. Corrigan stepped up and fired past Smith for 3-1.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Smith, Woods, Fleming (McConville, 40), Molyneux, Mooney ©, Roddy, Duke (Griffiths, 72), Dunne, Edgar, Hawley, (Yeldrem, 72), Ennis. Sub not used - Baker

RUNCORN LINNETS: Forth, Wylie, O’Brien, Morris, Corrigan, Nolan (McCarthy, 72), Simpson, Hamid ©, Shanley, Watson (Gallagher, 87), Holt (Evans, 76). Sub not used- Collings

Referee: Chris Porter
Attendance: 205