Skelmersdale United FC Reserves

Members of the:

 THE LANCIT HAULAGE
 LANCASHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

JOINT MANAGERS:

IAN WARRILOW & PAUL TYNAN

 

SKELMERSDALE UNITED RESERVES FIXTURES

SEASON 2006-07

 

THE LANCIT HAULAGE
 LANCASHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

 

LANCASHIRE LEAGUE ~ WESTERN DIVISION

 

 

DATE	OPPONENTS	VENUE		SCORE	PTS	Pos
SAT AUG 19	MORECAMBE	LGE	A	L 0-7	0	-
WED AUG 23	BARROW	LGE	H	D 1-1	1	-
WED AUG 30	BURSCOUGH	LGE	A	L 6-2	1	8
WED SEP 13	FLEETWOOD TOWN	LGE	H	D 2-2	1	-
FRI SEP 22	LANCASTER CITY	LGE	A	W 3-1	-	-
TUE SEP 26	BAMBER BRIDGE	LGE	H	W 3-1	-	-
SAT SEP 30	SPEKE	LCC	A	L 6-3	-	-
WED OCT 04	LANCASTER CITY	LGE	H	L 2-1	8	6
SAT OCT 14	ATHERTON COLLIERIES	LGE	A	D 4-4	9	7
WED OCT 18	BARROW	LGE	A	W 2-6	12	-
SAT OCT 28	WORKINGTON	LGE	H	W 9-2	15	4
WED NOV 01	ATHERTON COLLIERIES	LGE	H	W 4-2	18
WED NOV 15	BAMBER BRIDGE	LC	H	D 2-2	-	-
WED NOV 22	BURSCOUGH	LC	H	W 4-1	-	-
MON DEC 11	FLEETWOOD	LC	H	D 1-1
FRI DEC 15	FLEETWOOD	LGE	A	Postponed
WED JAN 03	BURSCOUGH	LC	A	L 1-5
WED JAN 10	LEIGH RMI	LGE	H	L 1-4	18	4
TUE JAN 30	BAMBER BRIDGE	CUP	A
SAT FEB 03	LEIGH RMI	LGE	A	2pm KO
MON FEB 12	BAMBER BRIDGE	LGE	H
FRI FEB 16	FLEETWOOD TOWN	LGE	A
WED FEB 28	MORECAMBE	LGE	H

 

Lancit Haulage Lancs Lge Cup           03rd January, 2007.                          

 

Burscough  5 Skelmersdale United  1.

 

Burscough got the better of local rivals Skelmersdale United at Victoria Park in the reserve derby, writes Neil Leatherbarrow. The Linnets recovered from a goal down to gain revenge for a 5-1 defeat at Skelmersdale four weeks ago, mainly thanks to an excellent second half performance that saw Burscough net four times.
Burscough fielded a strong side containing most of Liam Watson’s first team squad that did not start Saturday’s game with Whitby, against a Skelmersdale team that themselves played a couple of experienced players.
It was Skelmersdale who looked sharpest in the early stages and they duly took the lead in the 11th minute. Shaun Tierney played a sweeping crossfield ball from the right to just behind the Linnets defence, Graham Harrison collected the ball, then drove it low into the far corner, giving Burscough keeper Chris Moore no chance at all.
Skelmersdale keeper Ross Boyd was having a good game and pulled off a pair of fine saves in the 16th and 23rd minutes as Burscough responded well to going behind. Firstly a reaction block from a Shaun Foster snapshot, the second in similar fashion from an Adam Tong header.
Burscough levelled in the 29th minute. A good build up resulted in the ball being played across to the left of the penalty area, Adam Carden controlled and aimed his shot at the far corner, where despite Boyd getting a hand to it, the ball found it’s target.
Burscough went into the lead in the 58th minute. Sean McConville found Matt McGinn with a short corner, McGinn played low into the area, young forward David Brookes flicking the ball out of Boyd’s reach into the corner from 4 yards out.
Youth team player McConville was impressive on the night, in the 64th minute he beat two defenders before presenting Liam Watson with a gilt edged opportunity, in a central position he saw his shot beaten away by Boyd.
Burscough went into a 3-1 lead in the 70th minute. McGinn’s cross from the right went to Tong and this time he left Boyd helpless with his header.
In the 81st minute McGinn was again the provider, his curling free-kick was headed on by Watson and entered the net via a defender.
The final Burscough goal came in the last minute, Watson went down in the 18 yard box, before McGinn got himself on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

Generally a good game, played in the right spirit by both teams. Burscough deserved to win, but the Skelmersdale followers perhaps left unhappy with the margin of victory.


SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Boyd, Timson, Houlihan (Wade R.,73), McNally (Jones, 59), Price I., Grogan, Ashcroft, Holland (Huynh,64), Donnelly, Tierney ©, Harrison

 

To be fitted around the above fixtures is a cup competition consisting of four games – Two home and Two away.  IE: four groups of five playing each other once.  Followed by semi-finals and a final.

 

Minimum of 22 games ~ Maximum of 24 games.

 

Teams in the Eastern Division include:

 

Altrincham

Farsley Celtic

Goole Town

Guiseley

Hyde United

Osset Albion

Ossett Town

Rossendale United

Wakefield

Woodley Sports

 

www.lancashire-football-league.org.uk

SATURDAY 4^th FEBRUARY 2006.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 0 Formby Reserves 1

This was a vital game for both teams which was settled by one moment of slackness in the United defence.  With Formby in second place but equal in points with three games in hand, the initiative has shifted to the seasiders.

Rigby, the Formby centre back was fouled just outside the penalty area and was awarded with a free kick.  He then became embroiled in an argument with the referee, John Leach who finally booked him.  The free kick was eventually taken, pushed down the line to Marsh who was totally unmarked.  His cross fell to Cameron who was also unmarked and he headed past Boyd into the back of the net…simple when your opponents have gone asleep!

The1st half was edged by United who had more of the play and more shots at goal, but none of those shots tested McComish, the Formby Keeper.

Former Skem player Carl Dale found he was chasing a shadow when trying to mark Seb Beckett and one desperate challenge from behind earned him a yellow card and also an injury which kept him out of the second half.

The second half was once again dominated by the defence until that 71^st minute break in concentration that eventually led to Formby winning the game, although McKane could have earned the side a draw but instead shot over the bar from 10-yards out.

M.O.M. ~ Seb Beckett.  A classy display by the youngster who worked ever so hard to get the team going.

SATURDAY 28^th January 2006.

PADIHAM RESERVES 0 SKELMERSDALE UNITED RESERVES 3

On paper this looked like a difficult game especially after last weeks poor display.  The loss of Matty Jones who pulled out because of an injury during the war-up also added to Manager Ian Warrilow’s worries, but the lads responded well to his urgings and deservedly took all the points from their 3^rd placed rivals.

Chances in the 1^st half were few and far between with misses from King, Ashcroft and Robinson, followed by an effort from Padiham’s Morrison…all they could show for their efforts.

What a difference in the 2^nd half as United took complete control and ran Padiham’s defence ragged, and were rewarded with goals by Alex Phillips with a back header that caught the keeper off guard.  Roberts side footed shot from Mero Waugh’s cross beat the keeper, and Mero got himself on the score sheet as he forced the ball over the line at the far post from Jay McKane’s driven cross.

King. Roberts & Ashcroft all missed easy chances to put United further ahead, but all put the ball wide.  It mattered not as the game was over by then, with United putting in one of their best performances of the season.

M.O.M.

A difficult one to work out, as there were winners all over the pitch.  Ian Robinson impressed in his second game.  Ganny Dalton was brilliant at center back.  Ian Ashcroft pout in some super wing play, but after great thought Alex Phillips gets the nomination.  His work rate is immense.  He supports his team mates when they get themselves into trouble, and popped up with the opening goal.  If you can find out what drives him on I’m sure you’ll find it’s a very big engine that gives him so much energy.

Team:  Matty Wright, Keil Gordon, Jamie Hannaway, Joe McKane, Danny Dalton, John Cass, Ian Ashcroft, Alex Phillips © Michael King, Mero Waugh, Ian Robinson.  Subs: Matty Jones, Danny Roberts, Ritchie Houlihan.

Saturday 21^st January 2006.

Winsford United Reserves 2 Skelmersdale United Reserves 0

This was undoubtedly the Reserves worst performance of the season against a team they had comfortably beaten 5-1 earlier on in the season.

United looked slow and lacked ideas and were punished as a result.

Winsford were no better than for Skem apart from the goals.  One came from a 30-yard free kick by their number 7 and their next in the 89^th minute when their sub hit a hopeful cross which was deflected past the United keeper.

Even though they played badly United created enough chances to have come away with a win, but the player’s concerned had clearly left their shootings boots at home.

Saturday 14^th January 2006.

Ashton Town Reserves 1 Skelmersdale United Reserves 1

These lost points could prove costly for United in their quest to win the Reserve Division Championship.

Ashton bottom of the league should’ve been blown away if the formbook was anything to go by, but United failed to find their usual finesse in front of goal.  This wasn’t helped on a bog like pitch, which both teams struggled to master.

In the first half United had numerous chances to put the game beyond Ashton, but with poor finishing they let Ashton off the hook.

As happens in this type of game it was the team under pressure that took the lead, when sloppy work on the right flank allowed Davis to cross to McNally who had all the time in the world to put the ball past Matty Wright and into the back of the net.

United equalised when Alex Phillips put in a great header which the Ashton keeper could only parry as far as Ashton who fired into an empty net.

The second half was best forgotten as far as United were concerned as they made few chances and also could’ve lost the game but for a terrific save by Matty Wright who denied McNally from a brace of goals.

Steve Kenny’s header hit the crossbar.  Mark Ashton had a shot saved when a pass to the unmarked Mike King would surely have produced a goal, but that was about it as regards to United’s second half performance.

Saturday 7^th January 2006 ~ Reserve League Cup 2^nd Round.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 2 Formby 1.

This was an excellent game to watch. With Formby lying second in the table and giving United a stern test, but the lads came through with a great second half display.

Michael King had the ball in the Formby net after just five minutes, only for the referee to bring back play to award Skem a free kick! The defences dominated the rest of the first half after that, limiting chances for both sides.

Six minutes into the second half United went behind when Formby’s centre half headed home from a cross.

Ian Ashcroft who came on at half time then turned the game around for Skem with his darting runs causing Formby all kinds of trouble.  One bout of interpassing between Ashcroft and Beckett led to United’s equaliser with Ashcroft’s final pass finding King who blasted the ball into the back of the net.

United were in full flight now and were twice denied by the Formby keeper, but United’s winner came in the 82^nd minute when Ashcroft was brought down in the corner of the penalty area, and Jay McKane with his last kick in a United shirt put in a low cross for Captain Alex Phillips to steer the ball past a bemused keeper.

(United will face either Nantwich or Blackpool Mechanics away in the next round.)

Monday 2^nd January 2006 ~ League

Skelmersdale United Reserves 1 Nantwich Town Reserves 1

Nantwich have taken 4 points from Skem this season but can consider themselves lucky to go away with a draw from this game.

Michael King put United ahead after 7 minutes when he converted a penalty given for a foul on him by the Nantwich centre half.

Nantwich equalised in the 15^th minute when their number 10 tried a pot shot from 25-yards out, and a wicked deflection off Beckett sent Matty Wright the wrong way, and the ball crept into the net.

Nantwich hardly caused United any further problems, and had their keeper to thank for their point as he pulled off a series of saves from a rampant United attack.

SATURDAY 17^th December 2005.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED RESERVES 2 NELSON RESERVES 1

The scoreline flattered Nelson in this game, because had United taken all their chances the score would’ve been in double figures.  The dismissal of United’s Phil Woodman in the 42^nd minute gave Nelson some hope, but it soon fizzled out as United completely dominated the second half.

It took just three minutes for United to take the lead when Danny Roberts received a through ball and left his marker for dead, before firing home from 14-yards out.

King, Woodman and Roberts all had good efforts saved before Steve Kenny put United two-up with a great goal that was pure class.  Picking up the ball midway in his own half, Kenny advanced beyond the half way line, with no one available and the keeper off his line, he struck a tremendous shot with plenty of power over the keepers head and into the back of the net.

Nelson’s first effort came in the 40^th minute when Gaskell’s free kick went wide.

In the 42^nd minute Woodman was sent off for a bad tackle on Hague who also had to leave the field because of the subsequent injury.

The second half was dominated by Skem with Phillips, King & Ashurst all going close, and Mark Ashton was denied by the woodwork after a great run and shot.

United keeper Ross Boyd gifted Nelson with a goal when playing about with a back pass.  He was robbed by Gaskell who slipped the ball into an empty net.

United still pressed forward looking for more goals but their shooting did not match the approach.

M.O.M.  Mike King worked tirelessly.  Mark Ashton impressed at fullback, but Steve Kenny stole the honour due to his great goal.

Saturday 10^th December 2005.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 4 Squires Gate Reserves 2.

This win kept United’s Reserves four point clear at the top.  However this was not one of their better performances in footballing terms.  But those present were given a glimpse of what they are capable of with two goals of pure class.

United’s first goal came in the 20^th minute when Squires Gate’s keeper could only palm away a fierce shot by King, and the ball dropped kindly to Danny Roberts who dispatched the ball into the back of the net.

United’s second came in the 35^th minute when Phil Woodman robbed centre back Gibson of the ball 25-yards out and coolly slipped the ball beyond the keeper’s reach.

United went three-up on the stroke of half time, and what a quality effort it was.  Starting from the back the ball eventually came to Joe McKane in midfield.  A slide rule pass from him found Danny Roberts who tricked his way past Mercer before slotting the ball home.

A comedy of errors led to Squires Gate pulling a goal back in the 52^nd minute, when a back pass by Matty Jones was miss kicked by United’s keeper Matty Wright and went into the net.

The best goal of the game came on the hour mark when Roberts back heeled the ball to King who in turn back heeled the ball to Joe McKane whose shot whistled into the back of the net.

With a minute to go Squires Gate made the scoreline slightly more respectable when Heyes fired home from close range.

M.O.M.  Danny Roberts ~ A great all-round display.

Team: Wright, Gordon, Hannaway, Kenny, Jones, McKane, Ashcroft, Phillips, King, Roberts, Woodman.  Subs: Houlihan, Berkley, Tynan.

Monday 12^th December 2005.

Kendal Youth 3 Skem United Youth 0

Manager Toommy Davies struggled to get a side together for this game due to injuries, work commitments and suspensions.  Indeed, only 5 of his regular players were able to tunr out for this game.

United looked the better side early on but were shocked to find themselves a goal down, when a speculative shot from 25-yards out took a wicked deflection and ended up in the net.  And fifteen minutes later Kendal went two up when their number four hit a shot from 30-yards out that flew into the net giving Chris Graham no chance at all.

In the 44 min John Cass was sent off for a second yellow card issued on the orders of the linesman who said he had kicked the ball away when a free kick had been awarded.  He appeared to be the only one to see the incident.

Ian Robinson was also sent off as he received a second yellow for an innocuous looking foul.

M.O.M. Ian Robinson ~ Worked like a terrier, prompting his front line as well as being superb in defence.

Saturday 19^th November 2005.

ATHERTON LR RESERVES 1 Skelmersdale United Reserves 2

Manager Terry Jennings struggled to get a team together for this fixture due to 4 players being on duty with the Liverpool C.F.A., 2 players on first team duty and injuries to Kevin Morton & Gary Berkley.  However, the squad he eventually mustered together did the club proud, against a team fielding many of their first team players due to their game being called of because of the adverse weather conditions. (Writes Bob Hadwin)

United’s first goal came in the 10^th minute when O’Brien fed the ball to Philips who immediately found King.  His driving run opened up the space for Joe McKane who on receiving King’s pass quickly dispatched the ball into the net to round off a great move.

Five minutes later United went two ahead with another well crafted goal.  Hannaway and Ashcroft made ground down the right wing with some great interchanging.  Ashcroft’s cross was dummied by King allowing Roberts to tap the ball to Philips who blasted th4e ball into the net from 18-yards out.

Atherton’s only reply up to that point was a weak effort from their number nine which Wright dealt with comfortably.  Although they were allowed back into the game when the referee, for reasons known only to himself awarded Atherton a penalty.  Matt Wright saved the spot kick quite brilliantly but Atherton’s number seven crossed the loose ball back across the face of goal for their number four to slam into the net.

The second half carried on in the same fashion as the first with United dominating, but they were unable to capitalize on all the possession, and some strange decisions by the referee who waved on two good penalty appeals.

M.O.M.  All the players played well, but Alex Phillips worked very hard in midfield and led by example.

Team:  Matty Wright, Jamie Hannaway, Jay McKane, Keil Gordon, Phil O’Brien, Alex Phillips, Ian Ashcroft, John Cass, Michael King, Danny Roberts, Joe McKane.  Sub: Ritchie Houlihan.

Saturday 12^th November 2005.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 2 New Mills Reserves 0.

An excellent win for the United Reserves against a team who were physically bigger and stronger than the United lads, but it was there that the superiority ended as Skem played them off the park with quick and thoughtful football that they had no answer to.  The fact that the margin of the win wasn’t any bigger was down to their keeper Matty Johnson who denied efforts by Roberts twice and King and Wallace with saves that wouldn’t graced the greatest of stages.

United’s first goal came in the 13^th minute when Alex Phillips rounded off a three man move by Beckett, Wallace & Roberts to fire home from 18-yards.  In the 20^th & 25^th minute Jones went close with two headers which went just wide, then Wallace was unlucky not to connect to a Mather cross.

Little was seen of New Mills as an attacking force during the first half, but when they did threaten, Morton and Jones were on hand to curtail their excursions into the United half.

New Mills came out with more drive for the second half and tried a few long-range efforts, but they hardly bothered the United keeper Boyd.  The only fright came when Mead & Boyd where involved in a chase for the ball, but Boyd got there first to avert the danger.  From then on New Mills failed to get into the last third of the field.

Johnson kept his side in the game with some heroic goalkeeping, but even his luck ran out when he could only parry away a vicious shot by Roberts, the ricochet of which was buried by King and ensured all three points for his team, and take United back to the top of the table.

M.O.M.  Plenty of excellent displays, and an eye-catching debut by Sebastion Beckett, but the M.O.M. goes to Alex Phillips who was terrific throughout!

Saturday 5^th November 2005.                  Preliminary Round ~ Reserve Challenge Trophy.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 5 Winsford United Reserves 1.

Three nil up at half time and United well on top, all present expected Skem to go on and win the game with ease.  The margin of scoreline suggests they got what they wanted, but a gallant Winsford came out in the second half and matched United in all departments, except for the last five minutes when two quick fire goals sealed their fate.

Straight from the kick off United attacked.  Mero Waugh latched onto Michael King’s cross to head home with the goal officially time by referee Peter Adamson as 20 seconds.  A yet to be confirmed North West Counties Record?

Winsford were not fazed by this early setback, first Gill tried a shot from 25-yards out which went just wide, then Drohan missed the target from just 6-yards out.

In the 38^th minute United increased their lead when a clever through ball by Joe McKane put Michael King in the clear to shoot past the advancing keeper Wright-Elliot.

In the 43^rd minute United went further ahead with a superbly crafted goal involving 5 different players before Danny Roberts slammed the ball into the back of the net from 12-yards out.

Three minutes into the second half Winsford pulled a goal back via a free-kick taken by Hutchinson, which deflected off the wall and gave United keeper, Matty Wright no chance of saving.

The goal gave Winsford great heart and they were unlucky not to get something out of the game, as Matty Wright pulled off a string of fine saves to deny them.

In between the Winsford attacks, United were also creating chances, with Wallace & Rogers denied by last-ditch tackles by the Winsford defence.

A great save by Matty Wright proved conclusive, as United sealed victory in their very next attack.  Mero Waugh’s put Ryan Wallace through in the 85^th minute, and he finished with aplomb as he sent the ball into the back of the net.  2 minutes later Mero Waugh was again provider, as he pulled the ball back to Michael King whose rasping shot flew into the corner of the net.

M.O.M.  Mero Waugh.

Saturday 8th October 2005.
 
Bacup Reserves 0 Skelmersdale United Reserves 4
 
Despite having to field a much changed team from the previous 9 games, United ran out easy winners in this game. 
(Writes Bob Hadwin)
 
Gary Berkeley opened the scoring in the 10th minute, as he finished off a four-man move, with a shot from 18-yqards out that 
flew into the corner of the net.
 
In the 26th minute Ian Ashcroft put United 2-up when forced home Berkley’s cross from 6-yards out.  4 minutes later Ryan Wade 
made it three-nil for Skem.  A cross from Joe McKane gave him his chance and he duly obliged with a crisp finish.
 
In the 40th minute Dean Karin had to go off due to injury and was replaced by Craig Noone, and then further problems as Gary 
Berkley failed to come out in the second half due to a thigh injury.  This left Skem down to 10 men, as they’d already used their 
only substitute.
 
Try as they did, Bacup couldn’t make any impression against a resolute United defence, with keeper Boyd virtually unemployed 
throughout the game.
 
Craig Noone added to United’s score when he raced onto Morton’s long ball, rounded the keeper and tapped the ball into the net.
 
M.O.M.  Alex Phillips and Ian Ashcroft were impressive throughout, with Ashcroft just about edging it.

Saturday 1^st October 2005.

Blackpool Mechanics Reserves 0 Skelmersdale United Reserves 3.

Not one of United’s better performance, with their first half being the worst of the season.  However a verbal bashing by Manager, Terry Jennings had the desired effect as United improved dramatically in the second half. (Writes Bob Hadwin)

United’s first goal came in the 49^th minute when good interplay between Joe McKane and David Mather culminated with a fierce shot by McKane into the corner of the net from 18-yards out.

United had to wait another 20 minutes for their second goal and it came via Michael Koing who latched onto Jay McKane’s pass and gave the keeper no chance from 14-yards out.

In the 71^st minute United made it three with a super move that started when David Mather headed clear from a corner.  The ball was picked up by Joe McKane who spotted Mathers run down the right, Mather then proceeded to speed past 2 men before crossing the ball to Phillips who forced the ball into the net.

United were completely dominating play at this point and were denied further chances by goal keeper Josh Wood who made some tremendous stops.

M.O.M.  David Mather had an excellent game, but Jay McKane gets the nod with a faultless performance.

Saturday 17^th September 2005.

Skelmersdale United Reserves 7 Colne 1

United secretary Bryn Jones took one look at the team sheet prior to the game and remarked on how strong the squad looked, not realising that 9 of the players were 18-years of age or under.  They then proceeded to tear an experienced Colne team apart, showing that United’s future is safe in their hands.

As early as the 4^th minute United were unlucky not to go one up when Paul Tortoishell was put in the clear by John Cass, and lobbed the ball over the keeper hitting the crossbar.  £ minutes later they did go ahead when John Cass scored direct from a corner.

United went further ahead in the 36^th minute when Craig Noone put Tortoishell clear, keeper Chris Brennan parried his shot only to see King follow it up and hammer the ball into the net.  Just before half time, Alex Philips rattled the bar with a fierce 20-yard drive, and at the other end Colne’s Ian Simpson shot went wide.

Quick thinking by keeper Matty Wright led to United’s 3^rd in the 50^th minute, picking out Wade on the right.  Flying up the wing to the by-line, Wade pulled back the perfect ball for King to blast the ball home.

The goal of the game when John Cass mesmerised the Colne defence.  Collecting the ball on the by-line he dummied the keeper before lashing the ball home.  The description doesn’t do the lad any justice, as the goal had to be seen to be belived.

United scored their 5^th courtesy of Paul Tortoishell who finished off Alex Phillips’ cross with aplomb.  Tortoishell got his second in the 75^th minute as he out jumped the keeper to nod the ball home.

The final goal gave Michael King his hat trick, when he latched onto Mero Waugh’s excellent pass, who slipped the ball past the hapless Brennan, who in fairness had kept the score down.

MOM  ~ An excellent performance by all the players, but King gets the nod by virtue of his Hat Trick.

Latest News:

4 of United’s players have been chosen to represent the Liverpool County FA.  Matty Jones, Craig Noone, Ian Robinson & Ryan Wade.  Congratulations go to them!

South Liverpool 2 Skelmersdale United Reserves 1      

Liverpool County FA Saturday Challenge Cup ~ 1^st Round

United were quickly out of the blocks, with Michael King testing the keeper with two rasping shots that he pushed away for corners.  Paul Tortoishell then got into the act with a double effort.  A shot which just missed the post, followed up with a header that went narrowly wide of the upright.

Dean Karin unleashed a shot from 25-yards out that clipped the crossbar before falling to safety, and basically the United pressure was incessant, with King’s header being forced wide by the South full back.

As happens when you have such possession it was the hosts that took the lead against the run of play with the first meaningful attack of the game.  No11 broke free down the left wing, and lobbed the ball over United’s keeper Matty Wright, giving their No9 a simple tap in.

The second half saw South come more into the game, but United were handling everything that was thrown at them with relative ease.  Indeed United restored parity in the 72^nd minute when Gary Berkley got clear down the left wing and crossed to Tortoishell who cleverly lifted the ball over the bemused keeper.

The winning goal was a gift to South Liverpool courtesy of Matty Wright who astonishingly put an attempted clearance to the South No11, who in turn put the ball into an empty net from 15-yards out.

Nevertheless this was a great display by United’s youngsters against a team riding high in the Liverpool County Combination,  and who are still unbeaten in their League.  It’s hard to pick a MOM as this was an all-round display, but special mentions go to Paul Tortoishell, Matty Jones & Kevin Morton with the latter just gettong the nod for another foot perfect display throughout.

A word of praise must also go to referee Chris Duckworth who had an excellent game.

Saturday 27^th August 2005.

Daisy Hill Res 0 Skelmersdale United Res 3

A deserved 3 points for United who controlled this game from start to finish.  Only fleetingly did the Daisy Hill Side threaten theUnited goal, giving debutant keeper Matt Wright an easy afternoon.

The Daisy Hill defence managed to keep United at bay until the 47^th minute when Michael King rounded the keeper and fired into the back of the net.

Danny Roberts scored United’s second in the 87^th minute when he beat the keeper to the ball and lifted it over him into the empty net.

United’s 3^rd came in the final minute of the game when substitute Mark Toohey Fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

M.O.M. Dean Karin

Alex Philips, Danny Roberts & Keil Gordon all had solid games, but 17-year old Dean Karin stole the honour with a great display.

Friday 2^nd September 2005.

Skelmersdale United Res 2 Ashton Town Res 1

A disappointing first half for United in which they conceded a goal direct from a free kick in the 43^rd minute.

Whatever Manager, Terry Jennings said at half time seemed to do the trick as United were a transformed team in the second 45.  Ryan Wallace levelled in the 46^th minute, and Michael King gave United all three points when he scored in the 79^th minute.

M.O.M.  Kevin Morton

His control, passing and positional play was outstanding.

2005-06 ~ United's Reserves will embark on a new season full of hope following last season's triumphant Championship win.  They also finished runners-up in the Reserve Cup and were finalists in the Divisional Cup.

Albeit a weak Reserve League with only 8 competitors, Terry Jennings team made up of many Youth Team Player’s had to overcome the difficulty of playing their home games at three different venues, as a result of the problematic Westgate playing surface.  But having utilised so many players from Tommy Davies’ Youth Team that have now gained valuable experience, it is expected that the current crop will be knocking on the door of the 1^st team!