Match Reports v Lower Breck & Burscough

Skelmersdale United returned from the Anfield Community Sports Ground with all 3 points after a hard-fought encounter against Lower Breck
With both teams high up in the form charts, it was always going to be a close encounter and so it proved.

United started the afternoon on the front foot putting the hosts under early pressure with Emini Adegbenro going closest for the blues, once with his right foot and once with his head after a good run from Mikey Howard, Lower Breck had the ball in the back of the net on the half hour but the linesman’s flag came to Skem’s rescue.
As the game neared the end of the first period Alex Davies superbly cleared of the line from a close range shot from Corness.

It was hard going for both sides as their lofty reputations cancelled each other out, there were forays from both sides but the strong defences saw that nothing got through.
Ben Barnes pulled of a class save on 73 minutes from an angled shot from Carl Peers as Breck started to pile on the pressure.

The home crowd were however silenced on 79 minutes as United’s Man of the Match Michael Grogan latched onto a cross into the box from Mini Adegbenro, it evaded all, twisting and turning Grogan somehow with his back to the goal produced a stunning overhead kick to give United the lead.

The game moved deep into injury time as Breck strained to get a leveller but their hearts were broken at the death a through ball from Mini Adegbenro found substitute Danny Mitchley, the prolific striker made no mistake to wrap up all 3 points.
It wasn’t pretty but United did what they had to do, with results elsewhere United moved up to second in the North West Counties League.

United lined up Barnes, Davies, Preston, Grogan, Herbert, Strickland, Servuts, Djalo, Adegbenro, Griffiths, Howard Subs Ellams, Mitchley, Conteh, Unused Towey, Ellis

Skelmersdale United gabbed a late point at Burscough on a wet and windy Tuesday night, much to the delight of their supporters who made up most of the evening’s attendance.

Early pressure from Skem saw a Adegbenro shot fizz past the upright, however It was Burscough who struck the first blow on 16 minutes, a deep cross found big centre forward Quarless at the back post who headed past a rooted Barnes.
Both Michael Howard & Kev Towey went close for Skem, but not enough to trouble the keeper.

A rare mistake from Michael Grogan early in the second half cost United dear, a wayward pass went straight to Salkeld who buried in the bottom corner for 2-0.

Just on the hour Abdul Djalo produced the stand out moment of the match, getting the ball just inside the Burscough half he advanced through the Burscough defence, weaving turning and eventually firing into the bottom corner, it was a goal Mo Salah would have been proud of and United were back in it at 2-1.
With their tails up it was United who were gunning for victory, a succession of attacks forced the home side deeper on the defence, Howard went close and Adegbenro should have done better from a Servuts cross, despite all the pressure United just couldn’t find that killer last touch.

Experienced Striker Richard Brodie was brought on for the last 10 minutes, almost paying dividends as he set up Djalo but again the shot was wayward. With 5 minutes to go a cross from United’s Howard found the Big forward at the back post , who volleyed goal wards, a scramble ensued with the ball finding the back of the net. Centre half Joe Herbert claiming the last touch.
United could have sealed the dramatic turnaround deep into stoppage time, again it was Brodie who was in the thick of it as is shot was scrambled wide for a corner and the last chance of the game went begging
A fair result for Paul McNally’s men in difficult conditions throughout the game, against a on form Burscough side United will be happy with the evenings outcome.

United line up- Barnes, Preston, Griffiths, Grogan, Herbert, Strickland, Ellams, Djalo, Towey, Adegbenro, Howard Subs Davies, Brodie, Servuts Not used, Elllis, Molyneux,