United Relegated As Cables Cruise

Prescot Cables 5 Skelmersdale United 0

A heavy derby defeat for United saw the end of a 13-year stay in the Evo-Stik League confirmed as they lost out 5-0 at Prescot Cables.

Paul McNally welcomed Michael Samson back from injury while handing first starts to Jesse Dowling and Luis Povoa while Cables included the ex-United quartet of Valter Fernandes, Chris Almond, Jack Lenehan and Lloyd Dean.

A rapid start from Cables saw Jack Lenehan flick through for Chris Almond who advanced on goal before being denied a chance to shoot by Michael Samson's well-timed challenge. United's first chance saw Oliie Taylor collecting a header from Tom Grimshaw as he connected to Alex Griffiths' throw-in.

Cables opened the scoring on six minutes as a Jordan Southworth cut inside before squaring to Luke Griffiths who fired past Ryan Kirkman for 1-0. The hosts continued to threaten with Lenehan finding Almond who blazed over the bar before a stunning long range shot from Lenehan sailed past Kirkman into the net for 2-0 on 17 minutes.

A clever low cross from Southworth saw Baba Conteh connect with a back heeled chance that rolled wide of the target two minutes later. Cables went achingly close to extending the lead on 35 minutes, Southworth raced down the wing before cutting inside and slotting the ball across goal with the shot creeping past the post and he replicated the chance minutes later with just inches denying him a goal.

Almond beat the offside trap and drew a superb save from Kirkman before a skillful flick and dash saw him evade a challenge from Tommy Lent and round Kirkman before firing through goal-line defending Lent for 3-0 in added time.

Any hopes of a United comeback were dashed within two minutes of the restart as Lenehan lofted the ball to Almond who chested down before slotting past Kirkman for his second as Cables led 4-0. United's best chance came from substitute Decllan Lewis who fired past the post before clever play from Southworth saw him pick out Lenehan who forced a superb diving save from Kirkman.

Tommy Lent fired over from a United corner before Luke Griffiths tried his luck from just over halfway with the ball sailing over the target. Cables wrapped up the points on 82 minutes with some luck, Lloyd Dean's flick-on found Almond who drew a strong parry from Kirkman which fell kindly into the path of substitute Matt Hamilton who slotted in for 5-0.

Despite the deficit, United still posed a threat with Lewis drawing a strong stop from Taylor after clever wing play from Michael Samson. The hosts came close to a sixth as substitute James Edgar connected to a free-kick which saw Marvin Molyneux clear off the line. The final whistle sounded to a mix of emotions, United sombre with their relegation to the North West Counties confirmed while Cables celebrated a huge win.

Prescot Cables- Taylor, Fishwick (Edgar 70), Fernandes, McCulloch (c) Coyne, Conteh (Turner 27), Almond, Griffiths, Dean, Lenehan, Southworth (Hamilton 76). Subs not used - Cooper, Faux.

Skelmersdale United - Kirkman, Samson, Griffiths, Molyneux (c), Lent, Moretti, Povoa (Lewis 46), Scoullar, Douglas, Dowling , Grimshaw. Subs not used- Smith, Wood, Tyrer.

Referee- J.Nield
Att- 316