United Suffer Heavy Loss At GNE

Skelmersdale United signed off in 2017 with a heavy 5-0 defeat at Glossop North End on Saturday afternoon, the defeat was United's third in a row in what was the sole away game played in December.

The game went ahead after a lengthy pitch inspection after mixed weather in previous days and from the opening kick-off, United went on the attack with Andy Owens forcing a low save from Wynne. The hosts responded well as a corner whipped in from the near side saw Adam Jones find Zeph Thomas who beat Callum Roberts to open the scoring inside four minutes.

United's response saw a Jack Fleming and Joe Downey combine to send Callum Mahoney on the attack, he cut inside and swept a cross across goal which Andy Owens was unlucky not to connect to as the defence headed away for a corner. Glossop tested Roberts with a couple of long range efforts which he saved comfortably before a clever run from Downey saw send over a dangerous cross which drew a strong headed clearance.

A long range effort from Brad Roscoe saw Roberts collect before Ryan White hit over the bar after connecting to Chris Baguley's free-kick before Baguley drew a diving stop from Roberts minutes later. As half-time neared, Glossop doubled their lead as Ben Deegan connected to Baguley's free-kick to head past the diving Roberts.

Alike the first half, United started the second half on the attack as a long range pass Fleming saw Owens head on to Nathan Randell at the back post who clipped past the post. Glossop replied with a dangerous cross from White which Josh Wardle cleared for a corner. A long pass from Mike Roddy picked out Owens who advanced towards goal with Wynne closing in, the two collided in the area with Owens penalised by the referee. Joe Downey swept a shot over the bar for United before the hosts extended their lead as a White slotted past Roberts after collecting Baguley's through pass.

United raised claims for a penalty as Owens was taken out on the chase as Wynne collected the ball but to no avail and minutes later, a penalty was awarded at the other end as Callum Jones upended Callum Chippendale. Courtney Meppen-Walter stepped up and though beating Roberts, his effort cannoned back off the post into the path of Deegan who rifled into the empty net for his second and Glossop's fourth goal of the afternoon.

A clever clipped pass saw substitute Bevan Burey send a shot across goal before White advanced on goal at the other end with Jones doing well to deny him a shot at goal as Roberts collected the ball. A whipped free-kick from Glossop saw Jones unfortunate not to extend the lead as he clipped the ball past the far post. Glossop wrapped up the points on 74 minutes as Baguley's effort from distance cannoned in off the post. At the other end, Downey sent an effort just past the post before Owens volleyed a shot straight at Wynne.

Callum Chippendale twice came close late on for the hosts but his efforts were well kept out by Roberts, while substitutes Lamin Baldeh and Jude Oyibo also had opportunities to extend the lead. The final whistle blew leaving United ending a turbulent year with defeat. Next up is a huge derby on New Year's Day as we host our current 'landlords' Prescot Cables at Volair Park.

TEAMS:

Glossop North End: Wynne, Roscoe, Spooner, Baguley, Jones, Meppen-Walter, Thomas (Oyibo 58), Gee (c) (Russell 68′), Deegan, Chippendale, White (Baldeh 78′).

Subs not used: Hickman, Haslam.

Skelmersdale United: Roberts, Plant, Fleming, Roddy (c), Jones (Redmayne 66), Wardle, Randell (Burey 54), Vaughan-Muscat, Owens, Mahoney (Molyneux 66), Downey.

Subs not used : Mitchell, Hill,
Referee: D Dutton
Attendance: 248