Daly Double Denies United

By Simon Driscoll

After abandonment due to floodlight failure last month, United completed the visit to Droylsden but did so with a 3-1 defeat.

Bloods midfielder Luke Daly struck a 32nd minute opener before a stunning leveller from Will Dunne on 57 minutes. Sefton Gonzales restored the lead with a 63rd minute penalty before Daly sealed the win in added time.Dave Powell promoted Ishmael Banks, Leon Arnalsalam, Oliver Van Veen and Dane McCormick to the starting lineup which included Jack Fleming's return from suspension while Droylsden featured ex-United duo Shaun Holden and Dylan Smith.

The early stages saw both sides even in possession with the first chance coming from United, Leon Arnasalam raced down the wing resulting in a low shot which Chris Thompson saved.Charles Duke also drew a low stop from Thompson with a long range effort before a sweeping cross from Arnasalam found the arms of Thompson with Oliver Van Veen close to collecting. The hosts were gifted the lead on 32 minutes as a Will Dunne backpass left Terry Smith in danger, a hurried clearance fell to Luke Daly who collected and fired in for 1-0.

United came close to levelling early in the second half as Tom Molyneux's corner caused a scramble for the Bloods defence which they eventually cleared. Arnasalam tried his luck from distance with the shot sailing past the post. A superb acrobatic chance from Ishmael Banks went over the bar ahead of a strong shot from Luke Duffy which took a huge deflection from a Bloods defender on its way past the post.

United drew level on 57 minutes with Will Dunne redeeming himself in spectacular style, after Duffy was felled, Will curled the resulting free-kick over the wall and past the diving Thompson to the joy of the travelling fans for 1-1. The equality lasted just seven minutes as United conceded a penalty as Phil Mooney upended Lewis Doyle, Sefton Gonzales stepped up and slotted past Smith for 2-1.

A long range effort from Jack Fleming forced a strong stop from Thompson before Van Veen fired over from a tight angle after collecting a long range free-kick. Droylsden wrapped up the win in added time as a run from Gonzales saw him lay-off for substitute Phil Marsh who declined to shoot with United defenders blocking and found Daly who slotted past Smith and the sliding defenders for 3-1.

The final whistle sounded minutes later leaving United at the foot of the table but with the positive of ending a barren run in front of goal.

Droylsden: Thompson, C.Smith, Holden, D.Smith, Hollins, Rouse ©, Daly, Doyle (Marsh, 71), Gonzales, Caddick (Phillips, 90), Ford (Makela, 81) Subs (not used) Bagshaw, Zibaka

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Smith T., Duke, Fleming. Molyneux, Mooney ©, Banks, Arnasalem (McLoughlin, 79), Dunne, Van Veen, Duffy (Yeldrem. 81), McCormack (Griffiths, 81) Subs (not used) Keegan, Robinson

Referee: K.Silcock
Att: 147