Morris & Mitchley Drive United Past Motormen

Destination Irlam for Skelmersdale United after a 2-0 victory over Vauxhall Motors in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay on Tuesday evening.

Paul McNally welcomed Alex Griffiths and Abdul Djalo back into the starting eleven in place of Harry Molyneux and Mikey Howard. A rapid start from United saw Elliot Morris race down the wing and cut inside before lofting a shot over the bar from a tight angle.

Kenny Strickland swept a free-kick over the bar before clever play saw Danny Mitchley collect a pass and fire narrowly past the post. Vauxhall went close on 22 minutes as a Greg Drummond cross found the head of Richard Foulkes who flicked past the near post.

The visitors tested Ben Barnes for the first time as he saved low fro a Joe Brandon chance after the winger had cut inside. United opened the scoring on 33 minutes as a long range free-kick from Strickland found Morris who flicked the ball past Michael Dixon for 1-0.

Simon Thelwell tried his luck as he looked to chip over Barnes but the ball went narrowly over the bar and with the half-time break in sight, United doubled the lead in style as Mitchley cut inside and arrowed the ball over the reach of Dixon into the top corner for 2-0.

The second half opened with a run and shot from Emini Adegbenro forcing a stop from Dixon before the United forward swept a shot across goal after collecting from a Mitchley pass. Just after the hour mark, substitute Mikey Howard swept a powerful shot over the bar, he tried his luck again a few minutes later after a clever wing run but again could only hit over the target.

Vauxhall replied with substitute Michael Burkey drawing a low save from Barnes before Morris clipped the ball over the bar after connecting to Howard's cross.

As the tie entered the final ten minutes, a pacy run from Alex Griffiths saw him combine with Howard before forcing a strong save from Dixon. Mitchley came close to his second strike of the evening as he looped the ball over the bar on the volley before Dixon saved a low shot from Howard in the final seconds. The final whistle sounded with United celebrating a hard fought win and advancing to face another NWCP side in the form of Irlam in the next round.

Skelmersdale United - Barnes (C),Griffiths, Preston, Herbert ((Webster 24) Howard 46), Grogan, Strickland, Morris, Conteh, Mitchley, Djalo, Adegbenro (Croughan 65). Subs not used- Davies, Hamilton.

Vauxhall Motors- Dixon, Scarisbrick Drummond, Thelwell, Mitchell (C), Heath (Hamm 54), Brandon (Burkey 68), Cooper, Smyth, Foulkes, Holmes (Noon 59). Subs not used- Waring, Levey.

Referee- Daniel Tyas
Att-181

Highlights - https://youtu.be/ChYdSiulO9U

Reaction -https://youtu.be/qceHKgc3frk