Rammy Hit Skem For Six

Ramsbottom United 6 Skelmersdale United 0

Sandwiched between the Cricket Club and East Lancashire Railway, United suffered a miserable afternoon with a 6-0 humbling to Ramsbottom United.

An operation and injury sidelining goalkeeping duo Terry Smith and Liam Boden meant a debut in goal for Ryan Kirkman while Michael White (suspension) and Matt Coughlan (injury) were unavailable, Sean Yeldrem, Danny McLoughlin and Louis Keegan returned on the bench.

Skem looked to have the opportunity for an early chance as Dave Moore picked out the run of Henoc Mukendi out wide but the move was halted due to offside. Rammy's first chance proved to be effective as Eddie Moran found ex-Skem forward Jamie Rainford who supplied a pass for Nic Evangelinos to slot past Ryan Kirkman or 1-0 inside eight minutes.

Skem's response was a headed effort over the bar as Henoc Mukendi connected to a corner from Connor Belger who tested Sam Ashton with a powerful effort before his back-pass on 16 minutes gifted Rainford possession with the striker evading the Skem defence before tucking the ball past Kirkman for 2-0.

Moran fired over for the hosts ahead of Iyrwah Gooden racing down the wing and cutting inside to hit the post with an angled shot. Ben Jago's long range free-kick found the grasp of Ashton who denied an acute shot from Dave Moore at the near post minutes later. Futher chances for both sides as the half advanced with Ashton saving a shot from Belger while Kieran Lugsden sent a shot past the post and Gooden drew a save from Kirkman for the hosts.

Skem's best chance of the half came on 38 minutes as Belger's powerful shot from the edge of the area drew a stunning save from Ashton. The second half saw Rammy take just three minutes to extend their lead and in spectacular style, Gooden winning possession inside his own half before a mazy run evading all comers to the edge of the area where he curled the ball past Kirkman for 3-0.

A close range header over the bar for Moran saw the hosts continue to threaten before a superb aerial ball found the run of Gooden, he advanced on goal and was upended by Kirkman with David Croft pointing to the spot. Kirkman went into the book and a strange altercation between Rainford and Evangelinos ahead of the penalty saw the latter take the responsibility, stepping up to slot past Kirkman for 4-0 on 57 minutes.

Despite the deficit, Skem continued to threaten with Belger's long range effort forcing a diving save from Ashton just after the hour mark. The resulting corner led to a scramble for the home defence which saw another corner and from that, Marvin Molyneux connected to head past the post.

Another superb save from Ashton denied substitute Danny McLoughlin from distance while at the other end, Rammy came close to their fifth, substitute Ruben Jerome sliding the ball past Kirkman with a stunning clearance from Marvin Molyneux denying a certain goal. The United defender came to the rescue again minutes later clearing a goalbound shot from ex-Skem midfielder Anthony Donaldson.

Skem denied Rammy again as a dangerous corner found substitute Richard Brodie but a point-blank block from John Keatley quelled the danger. The fifth goal did come for the hosts with 80 minutes on the clock, Moran finding Rainford whose one-two with Jerome saw him slot past Kirkman for 5-0. The hosts added another in added time as Rainford picked out Jerome who advanced on goal and fired past the oncoming Kirkman for 6-0 with the final whistle sounding seconds later.

Ramsbottom United:- Ashton, Kennedy, Jacobs, Moran, Kelvin Lugsden, Ellison, Gooden (Brodie 73), Osi-Efa (Donaldson 58), Rainford, Kieran Lugsden, Evangelinos (Jerome) Subs not used- Thompson, Carey.

Skelmersdale United - Kirkman, Brislen, O'Hara (Keegan 80), M.Molyneux, Keatley, T.Molyneux, Belger, Jago (McLoughlin 66), Mukendi, Moore (Yeldrem 66), Griffiths, Subs not used- Giverin, Douglas.

Referee- D.Croft
Att-167