United's Victorious Visit To Radcliffe

United's Victorious Visit To Radcliffe

In a week that began with a hard-fought 0-0 home draw, United rounded off September with a superb 2-0 win at high-flying Radcliffe.

After Glossop had won 2-1 at the Neuven in midweek, United went one better with a third consecutive clean sheet for Terry Smith achieved thanks to second half strikes from Sean Yeldrem and Kevin Edgar, the latter scoring his first goal for the club.

Dave Powell made one enforced change to Tuesday's 11 with Luke Duffy debuting in place of the injured Will Dunne while fellow signing Thomas Daulby was included on the bench. Both sides started brightly, Sean Yeldrem's wing run forcing a United corner inside the opening minute before Terry Smith denied Elliot Rokka at the other end.

Kevin Edgar swept a free-kick past the post for United on nine minutes before Ben Wharton headed across goal for the hosts with 14 minutes played. United prevented themseleves from taking the lead two minutes later, Tom Molyneux's corner found the head of Dave Moore with the effort blocked by a fellow United attacker.

Ollie Martin's strong save on 20 minutes denied United further after Edgar had collected Alex Griffiths' through pass. Radcliffe should have struck the opener on 23 minutes though after Shelton Payne's through ball had carved United open, George West rounded Smith but could only send the ball across goal to United's relief. United saw efforts from Moore and Edgar before Payne's lofted cross found Ben Wharton at the far post with the forward hitting narrowly past the post. The hosts had the ball in the net on 33 minutes as Payne fired past Smith but to their dismay, the effort was chalked off due to offside.

Smith was called into action just over a minute later with a close-range stop to deny Wharton before a diving save to block Payne's free-kick. Radcliffe piled on the pressure as the half ended with Rick Smith heading over from a corner before Smith collected an acrobatic effort from West.

United opened the scoring within two minutes of the restart, debutant Luke Duffy's superb through pass finding Yeldrem who advanced on goal before slotting past Martin for 1-0. The lead could have been doubled just a few minutes later, Griffiths' near post cross tipped past the post by Martin. Radcliffe's response saw Rokka and Wharton combining on the wing, the resulting cross being fired over the bar by Rick Smith. Dave Moore's flicked header at the other end allowed Duffy to force a ranged stop from Martin.

Moore and Molyneux hit efforts past the Radcliffe goal before Metcalfe rifled a shot over the bar on 65 minutes. United came close to extending the lead after a clever Edgar pass put Yeldrem through on goal, his low shot looked to be beating Martin before being blocked by Matt Williams. Radcliffe were unfortunate not to draw level on 82 minutes as Matt Carr headed narrowly past the far post from Metcalfe's free-kick. United responded with Charles Duke fizzing a shot past the post before an acrobatic save from Martin denied Edgar's deflected shot.

An exciting 90 minutes saw a five minute extension to test the nerves of United which they passed with flying colours three minutes in. Griffiths gained posession on halfway, raced towards goal and picked out Edgar who slotted past Martin for his first United goal and confirmed a 2-0 win for the Yellows. The final whistle saw United's fans and players celebrate a hard-fought win on the road, a victory that moved them off the bottom of the table into 18th.

Radcliffe - Martin, M.Williams, Metcalfe, Smith, Carr, Grogan, Payne (Lacy 82), K.Williams (c), Wharton, West (Owolabi 60), Rokka. Subs not used- Wood, Fallon, Fofana.

Skelmersdale United - Smith, Duke, Fleming, Molyneu, Mooney, Christou, Moore, Griffiths, Edgar, Duffy (Daulby 80), Yeldrem (O'Hara 90). Subs not used- McLoughin, McCormick, Moloney,

Referee- C.Rooney
Att - 265