Roberts Saves A Point For United

Bamber Bridge 0 Skelmersdale United 0

A second consecutive clean sheet for Callum Roberts saw United began Feburary with a 0-0 draw against high-flying Bamber Bridge who played over 70 minutes with ten men. Dave Powell gave an instant debut to new signing Tom Hulme in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven which included captain Liam Hollett after a successful appeal for last weekend's sending off.

United started the better of the two sides with a clever pass from Jack Lenehan finding Tom Hulme who forced a tipping save from Lloyd Rigby inside the opening minute. Brig were reduced to ten men after a quick break from Jordan Darr in the 17th minute saw him felled by Adam Dodd who was dismissed.

Jack Fleming stung the hands of Rigby who tipped the resulting free-kick over the bar and with 25 minutes on the clock, Tyler Rufus forced a close range save from Rigby after evading the home defence. Brig had a good chance themselves as Ali Waddecar forced a low save from Callum Roberts after a good build-up.

Just before half-time, Brig threatened again with an inswinging corner coming out to Lewis Nightingale who sent a shot over the bar. All square at the interval but with just nine minutes of the second half played, Brig were awarded a penalty as Phil Mooney upended Regan Linney after a mazy run on goal. Macauley Wilson stepped up and Roberts guessed correctly to his left to prevent an opening goal.

A clever run from Darr forced a low save from Rigby before a well-worked passing move saw Waddecar, Nightingale combine with the the latter collecting the ball with the target in range but a heavy touch saw Roberts able to end the danger. After a long pass from Fleming was dealt with by the home defence, Phil Mooney sliced an effort wide of the post.

At the other end, United were caught out by a clever ball which found Linney in open space but as he advanced into the area, he went over what looked to be minimal contact from Mooney with the referee going on to book Linney for diving. A long range free kick from Brig minutes later saw Roberts looked to collect but in doing so he was clearly impeded by a Brig attacker. United came close to breaking the deadlock as a thundering effort from Mike Roddy saw a superb save from Rigby.

Brig replied with a great effort from Linney which saw Roberts save low as he did with a long range effort from Nightingale a few minutes later. United had a the chance to strike late on as a substitute Bevan Burey crossed low for Jack Lenehan but the forward could only shoot over the bar. Roberts proved influential in the final minutes as he as he denied a clever effort after Waddecar and Nightingale had combined. The final whistle sounded with the sides sharing the points, United the happier in claiming a point and back-to-back shutouts.

Bamber Bridge- Rigby, Wilson (Vasey 59), Dodd, Lawlor (c), Charnock, Potts, Waddecar, Forbes (Milligan 72), Dudley (Marlow 45), Nightingale, Linney. Subs not used - Boyd, Mahoney.

Skelmersdale United - Roberts, Mooney, Fleming, Roddy, Hollett (c), Wardle, Darr (Burey 80), Molyneux, Hulme, Lenehan, Rufus (Withe 59). Subs not used - Mitchell, Crane, Cheetham.

Att - 312
Referee - M.Scholes.