United Held By Nine-Man Bay

SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0 COLWYN BAY 0

by Simon Driscoll

After claiming a point at the weekend at home to Newcastle Town, United were unlucky not to claim all three points in last night's 0-0 draw against Colwyn Bay. The visitors ended the evening with nine men after second half dismissals for Callum Hassan and Josh Brizell.

Just one change from Saturday's starting eleven as Charlie Duke replaced University bound Jay Galloway while James O'Hara was named on the bench. Colwyn threatened early on with Lewis Moynes picking out Danny Andrews, the Bay forward's effort saved comfortably by Terry Smith.

United's first chance of the evening came on eight minutes as Kevin Edgar sent a header over the crossbar after collecting Sean Yeldrem's cross. Will Dunne swept a shot over the bar four minutes later before Sean Yeldrem did the same from the near side.

Dave Moore drew a save from Paddy Rutter after connecting to a Yeldrem cross before turning provider with an effort across goal which Yeldrem got achingly close to tapping in at the far post. Colwyn's reply came on 40 minutes as Josh Brizell fired a free-kick at goal which Smith pushed past the post.

Moore raced down the win at the other end before slotting the ball narrowly past the post in the final stages of the half. The second began with Moore heading Yeldrem's lofted pass wide of the post ahead of Yeldrem forcing a save from Rutter a few minutes later. United had the goal frame to thank for maintaining the deadlock as ex-United forward James Barrigan's shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

A clever Skem move saw Edgar free to square the ball for Dunne with the resulting shot creeping past the post. Colwyn suffered a blow on 75 minutes when Callum Hassan was shown a straight red card for an infringement on Jack Fleming. United should have capitalised just two minutes later, a goalmouth scramble saw several punts at goal with the Colwyn defence clearing the ball just inches from the line.

The Bay counter-attack saw substitute Craig Prichard attempted to lob the advancing Smith but his effort proved too powerful and sailed over the target. Another blow for the Bay on 82 minutes as Brizell received his second booking and was dismissed leaving his side with nine men.

United had one final chance to claim a first win of the season in added time as a well-timed cross from Dunne saw Edgar hit a powerful half volley which saw a superb acrobatic save from Rutter and left United with a point rather than three as they drew 0-0 for the second time in a matter of days.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED- Smith, Duke, Fleming, Molyneux, Mooney ©, Christou, Moore, Griffiths (McLoughlin, 76), Edgar, Dunne, Yeldrem (McCormick, 81) Subs (not used) O’Hara, Woods, Moloney

COLWYN BAY- Rutter, McCready ©, Brizzell, Bell, Marx, Mendes, Moynes (Horrocks, 45), Devine (Pritchard, 60), Andrews (Ellison, 86), Barrigan Sub (not used) Robinson

Referee: Mark Ryder
Att: 129