The boys started the first 20 minutes positively with the midfield in particular linking up well together. Declan Gregson saw his powerful cross from the left wing just clip the bar and bypass Ben Barnes in the opposition goal.

Ashton Clements in particular appeared to be dominant in midfield controlling the play impressively, spreading the ball to each wing, but the final pass just wasn’t to be.

An unfortunate mistake by Neil Monaghan led to a Skelmersdale goal when Richard Brodie caught the midfielder in possession and slotted a powerful shot past Ben Morrow to make the score 0-1 to the away team on 21 minutes.

After conceding, the home side struggled to get back into the game with the best chance coming from a curling Jack Riley cross from the edge of the box, with the ball just missing Liam Diggle and going out of play.

The goal by the opposition was completely against the run of the play and the REMY will have felt unfortunate to go into half time as the losing side.

The second half started positive again for the REMY with Colin Quirk’s deflected shot from outside the box just missing Ben Barnes’ goal.

However REMYCA were two behind on 56 minutes when Charlie Kelly scored an outrageous free kick into the top corner of Morrow’s goal. There was nothing the keeper could do to stop the powerful shot.

Skemersdale fans would see yet another jaw dropping goal before the game would finish.

This would come on 61 minutes when Liam Wood managed to squirm his way past his marker and hoof a 30+ yard shot straight past Morrow, leaving the travelling supporters gobsmacked that they had seen two goal of the season contenders within the space of five minutes.

Skelmersdale were down to ten men a few minutes later, when Richard Brodie appeared to catch a Litherland defender with his studs, leading to a straight red from the referee.

The game never really seemed to get going again after the red despite being end to end, with both sides struggling to produce anything that could change the score.

Substitute Peter Silcock provided a slight spark for the REMY on 85 minutes, when he almost scored a header off a brilliant swinging cross from Declan Gregson. He then provided a defence splitting pass through the opposing central defenders to set up Liam Diggle, only for Barnes to make another great save for Skelmersdale.

The boys will be disappointed with the result, but will go again against Sheffield FC in the FA Cup on Saturday.

We would like to thank all Skelmersdale fans who travelled to Litherland Sports Park for the game and wish the squad the best of the luck for the season ahead.

To keep updated with everything going on at the REMY, you can follow us on Twitter here.

@RemycaUtd