Boxing Day Triumph for United

Boxing Day Triumph for United
Skelmersdale United 2-0 Widnes

United gained 3 valuable points against Northern Premier League West strugglers Widnes on a bitterly cold Boxing Day afternoon. The biting wind and stiff breeze played havoc with proceedings.
The sides played in their away kits in support of the homeless charity Shelter, both teams tried to play football but were often thwarted by the dreadful conditions, Callum Lees had a chance early doors, a succession of corners ended with the defender driving just wide of the upright. Skems best chance of the half fell to Elliott Morris, set free by a sublime pass from Milne could only see his shot miss the target by inches.

United made changes bringing on the experience Hamilton and he was quickly into the action bringing a good save from the visitors keeper Cameron Terry, Hamilton found the back of the net to give Skem the lead on 60 minutes, Elliott Morris shot was parried away and unmarked in the box he had the easiest of opportunities to tap home.
The weather turned even nastier as the game progressed with driving rain and hail but United put the game to bed and brought a much needed smile to the Skem supporters when debutant Ste Milne doubled the advantage on 78 minutes, a in swinging corner found Milne in space and he fired home from close range.

United didnt have it all their own way, Joe Herbert at the heart of the defence stood firm in whatever the visitors had to offer and Sam Ashton in goal made a couple of telling saves at crucial points of the game.

Richard Brodie was obviously delighted with the win that moves Skem up to 15th in the table and more importantly outside the relegation places "it was a difficult day for football but we showed true grit and determination, I would personally like to thank the fans who made the journey, it was not one of the best days to watch football, at least we sent them home with a christmas smile on their faces

Skem travel to local rivals Prescot Cables on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January looking to put back to back wins.

United, Ashton, Herbert, Lees, Gerrard, Sheen, Djalo, Morris, Mclaughlin, Milne, Prescott, Freeman Subs Hamilton, Gallagher, Bell unused Grogan, Turner
Widnes, Terry, Shorrock, Rain, Isherwood, Jordan, Simpson, Smith, Rigby, Schofield, Jones, Deans Subs Bardsley-Rowe, Burke, Roberts, Miller,Hassell,

Photo, The calm before the storm (Chris Watts)