Barwell 5 Skelmersdale United 0

The visitors were missing a number of key personnel due to other commitments and injury but their recent run of poor form could do little to encourage the away fans.

After going two up in the first seven minutes, they never let Skelmersdale into the contest and ended the match five goals to the good.

The initial attacks came from the visitors but to no good effect and Barwell responded well. With just five minutes played, Tony Capaldi floated an excellent ball into the path of Nigel Julien who chipped keeper Conor Mitchell to open the scoring.

Two minutes later, Barwell doubled their lead as this time Julien was the provider of an excellent cross which was headed goalwards by Connor Gudger. As Mitchell went to gather, an unfortunate touch by Skelmersdale captain Tom Hardwick diverted the ball into the net.

Just before the half time break, Barwell had a couple of chances to pull further ahead. Firstly, a pinpoint ball from Gudger found Luke Barlone in space but his shot lacked direction then the Canaries did score a third in stoppage time as Julien drove a shot fiercely towards goal, Mitchell did not gather cleanly and Gudger was there to follow up and net the rebound.

The second half saw the home continue where they had left off. After 55 minutes, Gudger grabbed his second as he latched onto a perfect ball from the left from Capaldi. He volleyed from twelve yards into the top right corner of the goal.

The fifth goal came for the Canaries seven minutes later as Ben Love received a loose ball thirty five yards from goal, he directed the ball just inside the post to complete the rout.

In the final minutes a Love free kick found Julien who volleyed inches past the post.

Skelmersdale could have pulled back a consolation goal in the dying seconds but Aaron Turner’s effort ballooned up in the air and was headed off the line by Matt Preston.

This was a comprehensive victory in which Barwell dominated the entire match and every player performed their role in an expert fashion. All worked hard for the cause and their labours were rewarded with three justified points.

Although it was difficult to single out one player, Nigel Julien had an excellent game and was awarded the Man of the Match.

Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Tony Capaldi, (Danny Griffiths 68), Matt Preston, Jamie Hood (Guy Hadland 76), Richard Lavery, Jack Edwards, Ben Love (Kieron Brehon 85), Luke Barlone, Nigel Julien, Connor Gudger.
Subs not used: Tom Weale, Jordan Garner.

Goals: Julien 5 (assist Capaldi), Wylie (og) 7, Gudger 45 +1 (assist Julien), Gudger 55 (assist Capaldi), Love 62.

Yellow Cards: Gudger 50, Lower 55, Lavery 89.

Attendance: 137

Man of the Match: Nigel Julien