SKELMERSDALE NEED WISDOM TO KEEP UNBEATEN RUN

SKELMERSDALE NEED WISDOM TO KEEP UNBEATEN RUN

SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 ASHTON UNITED 1

By Neil Leatherbarrow

Skelmersdale United found themselves behind for the first time this season, they responded in great style to keep their unbeaten run going and at the same time almost completed a full turnaround of the scoreline, significantly retaining second place in the table too.

It was not entirely unexpected that the game would be a tight affair, especially as both teams are well acquainted with each other and are well aware of the other’s strengths and weaknesses. Ashton arrived with the intention of making things difficult for Skelmersdale and played at a whirlwind pace, an observation that would prove crucial in the latter stages.

The first goalmouth action arrived in the 18th minute and it was a warning for Skelmersdale. After a Skelmersdale corner was gathered by Ashton goalkeeper Paul Phillips he immediately kicked the ball the length of the pitch and only a good save by Skelmersdale’s Martin Fearon thwarted the quick counterattack. The warning “Don’t over commit to attack.”

Defensively Skelmersdale looked pretty solid and the hosts looked to have found a way through the Ashton barrier in the 27th minute. Another Skelmersdale corner was sent into the goalmouth, under pressure from Rob McIntosh keeper Phillips appeared to flap and guided the ball into his own net. However, referee Tom Parson after pausing for a couple of seconds gave a free-kick to Ashton instead of a goal to Skelmersdale.

In the 31st minute Skelmersdale went close again, Phillips only keeping Skem out with an outstretched leg to Dean Astbury’s shot.

Ashton had had some luck. Skelmersdale got some in the 37th minute. Another long kick from Ashton was misjudged as it bounced, Chris Baguley pounced and as he lifted the ball over Fearon breath was held, the ball hit the crossbar and young centre-forward Saul Henderson picked his spot as he headed home the rebound. He was given offside though and Skelmersdale breathed again.

A couple of minutes before the interval there was some vociferous shouts for a Skelmersdale penalty. Tom Ince hit a shot that was just going wide and Dan Mitchley looked destined to reach the ball and probably score, but he was dealt with rather physically, the home support appealed, Mr Parsons said no. Who was right is very open to debate.

Skelmersdale opened the second-half brightly, but fell to a sucker punch in the 53rd minute. Ashton broke, Baguley sent a well weighted ball into the Skelmersdale box and Henderson stroked the ball past Fearon. It is only the second goal Skelmersdale have conceded all season.

Chances were few and far between at both ends and Ashton were happy to hang onto what they had achieved, they removed much of their attacking threat and left Martin Pilkington upfront on his own.

By the 70th minute though, the pace Ashton had played the game at seemed to start to catch up with them, an Astbury shot was blocked and the Curtis Thompson rebound was deflected for a corner. Chinks were beginning to appear.

After a few promising moves down the left were extinguished, finally one got through and Ince put Danny Wisdom in behind the Ashton back-four, he was challenged very clumsily by Cavell Coo and Mr Parsons finally gave Skelmersdale something, a penalty. Mitchley did the rest, giving Phillips no chance.

In added time Skelmersdale went close again, Mitchley heading wide, then Wisdom found Thompson with a cross but Phillips saved.

The game had been a battle from start to finish; they usually are when the two teams meet. Both managers will no doubt disagree, but the draw was probably a fair result.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Wylie, Wisdom, McIntosh ©, Bodie, Simpson, Thompson, Strickland, Mitchley, Astbury (McCarthy, 84), Ince Subs (not used) Sumner, Monaghan, Mooney, Lloyd

ASHTON UNITED: Phillips, Coo, Pearson, Gorton ©, Higgins, Gee, Chadwick (Coppin, 71), Rick, Henderson (Pilkington, 59), Baguley (Young, 72), Bennett Subs (not used) Roberts-Nurse, Robinson

Referee: Tom Parsons (Bolton) Attendance: 224