Saturday 22^nd April 2006.

Skelmersdale United 3 Abbey Hey 3

Just as United found their scoring touch, Abbey Hey matched them goal for goal, but left it until the 4^th minute of injury time to spoil United’s party. (Writes Frank Hughes)

With second placed Alsager losing against Colne and Cammell Laird held to a goalless draw at Trafford, none of the contenders managed to take the bull by the horns, but I guess United will be feeling the disappointment more, as Abbey Hey managed to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat.

United paid a high price for a poor first half performance, and as often the case has been they found themselves going a goal behind.

In a scrappy first half chances were few and far between.  However, United should’ve taken the lead in the 15^th minute as Ian Price pulled back a great cross from the by-line only to see Michael Douglas blaze a shot high from a great position.

United took liberties at the back as Andy Watson hit an up field pass that sneaked through United’s defence, but fortunately Tim Bailey shot wide in a one-on-one situation when really he should’ve scored.

Abbey Hey took the lead in the 34^th minute when Steve Rimmer conceded a penalty when he brought Andrew Simpson down inside the area.  Steve Moores stepped up to take the penalty which proved t be a poor one as Crookes blocked with his feet.  They weren’t so fortunate when Moores took receipt of the ball to slam the ball home.

The only other effort worthy of mention in the remainder of the half was a Stuart Rudd low drive from 25-yards out which crept wide of the upright.

Stuart Rudd headed home Michael Cole’s cross in the 48^th minute to restore parity, but United almost paid heavily within 60 seconds as they switched off defensively and allowed Andrew Simpson to sneak behind the line and force Peter Cookes into pulling off a magnificent reflex save.

United did however managed to nudge ahead when Cole’s corner was met by the mighty head of Tony Hallam, and the ball flew into the net, but once again the concentration was poor and within a couple of minutes Abbey Hey were back on terms, with Andrew Simpson firing home from close range.

It wasn’t over by a long chalk, with Skelmersdale pressing for the lead once again, and the hard work paid off in the 75^th minute when Stuart Rudd headed the ball over the keeper following a tremendous cross by Tom Hardwick.

Unfortunately Abbey Hey finished the strongest team, with Steve Moores forcing Crookes into another save, and then 4 minutes into injury time a hopeful high ball bounced over Skem’s defence, and as United claimed offside Brad Fallows raced in on their blind side to head over Crookes into the back of the net.

M.O.M ~ Michael Cole

Energetic and lively throughout the game, and his distribution was great.

Crookes, Price (12. Standley 62) Hardwick, Hallam, Rimmer, Wallace (14. Black 70) Cole, Douglas, Rudd, Rogers (15. Obong 85) Osman

Att: 210.

United’s final home game of the season is next Tuesday as they entertain Congleton Town, KO 7-45pm.

Monday 17^th April 2006.

Squires Gate 0 Skelmersdale United 1.

It remains to be seen how valuable Ryan Wallace’s 89^th minute winner will prove to be, but with closest rivals Alsager & Cammell Laird both losing, one thing’s is for sure…the destination of the title is yet to be decided.  (Writes Frank Hughes)

United had enough opportunities to put this game well and truly beyond their opponents, but sometimes the simple things aren’t that easy to do.  But the last gasp winner didn’t surprise Manager, Paul Gallagher.

“I think we played well and stuck to our game plan, which wasn’t easy in a swirling wind and on a very bobbly pitch.  Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t have chosen so late in the game to pull out a winner, but what’s good for our competitors is good enough for us as far as I’m concerned.”

Paul Gallagher was referring to Cammell Laird who’d pulled off a late winner over the weekend, and you couldn’t help but feel compassion for a bloke who has imported a brand of football that under normal circumstances would’ve stormed away with the title, but for the fact that they can’t shake off a couple of rivals who don’t know how to lose.  Well that was almost true until he discovered half way down the M6 that both had lost on the same day.  Not that the Manager had ever lost his faith.

“I’ve said that it is up to us the win as many points as possible, and let our rivals make the mistakes.  The trouble has been that we’ve lost a bit of faith lately, and we’ll kick ourselves if it’s a close call at the end of the season.

“When I heard that our rivals had lost, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised, but it just goes to show how thin the line is between success and failure, and how important little Ryan’s goal could prove to be.”

Paul Rogers looked lively in the opening minutes with two great chances to give Skem the lead.  The keeper, Steven Shielski deflected his first chance wide, and his second effort went marginally wide of the target as well.  In fairness he should’ve done far better with both, but with them both coming early doors, you could say he could afford the odd luxury, that was until he blazed his third effort well over the crossbar from an even greater position.

Stuart Rudd went a little closer in the 21^st minute as he struck the crossbar from a 30-yard free kick.  But as much as the main threat looked always likely to come from United, you knew quite well that Squires Gate would be quite happy to bolt against the run of play.

Mark Beattie was first to take advantage of United’s all-out attack, as he broke free and home in on goal.  Fortunately Ian Price made a great saving tackle, albeit the ball took a nasty bobble leaving Crookes with no alternative but to guide the ball wide.

Paul Rogers was still the live wire up front, but you kind of got the feeling it just wasn’t going to happen for him when he received the ball from a wide position, but in the clear just 10-yards out he tried to lob the keeper instead of having a full impact shot, and inevitably the keeper plucked the ball out of the sky with relative ease.

There was the odd scare for United prior to the break as Rimmer had to clear a threatening cross, and Paul Ryan broke United’s offside trap only to see his shot go wide.

The opening minutes of the second half belonged to United as they pressed for an opening once again.  Michael Douglas hit the upright from an acute angle as Gate failed to clear Michael Cole’s corner, and soon after Stuart Rudd’s header had to be cleared off the line by Chris Days.

Stuart Rudd missed the target again following a great ball from Michael Douglas, this time on his wrong side Rudd hit the ball with his right foot when the opportunity was begging for his unorthodox foot.

Michael Douglas headed marginally wide following a Michael Cole free kick, but soon after Tony Hallam was sent off for foul and abusive language, and at that point, the 72^nd minute to be precise, you felt that holding onto a draw might be the best that United could do.

The opportunities were few and far between, indeed the best chance was a double effort in the 76^th minute, as Carl Osman’s shot was blocked en route and Michael Cole’s follow-up forced Steven Shielski to pull off the save of the game.

The winner came in he 89^th minute as the game looked to be passing United by.  Crookes played the ball to late substitute Neil Black who in turn played the ball inside to Paul Rogers, and the lad that should’ve scored at least four in the first half turned provider as he played an exquisite through ball to Ryan Wallace who as calm as you like tucked the ball beyond the keeper into the back of the net.

M.O.M.  Michael Douglas.

Michael Cole & Paul Rogers were both candidates for the accolade, but once again Michael Douglas was awesome with some spectacular winning tackles in the heart of midfield, and he also came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.  This seasons ‘player of the year’ by a country mile!

Crookes, Price, Hardwick, Hallam, Rimmer, Wallace, Cole, Douglas, Rudd, Rogers (14. Holmes 90)  Osman (12. Black 78) Sub not used: 15. Standley.

United will entertain Abbey Hey this coming Saturday KO 3pm.

People are reminded that it is ‘Ladies’ Day’ and that admission to all Ladies will be free.  There will also be a prize to the Lady wearing the best headdress!

Once again kids go free as long as accompanied by a paying adult and students go free upon production of their Student Union Card!

Saturday 8^th April 2006.

Ramsbottom United 2 Skelmersdale United 0.

Silenced by the Rams!

Fresh from victory over Cammell Laird in midweek, Ramsbottom delivered another shock as they turned the league leaders over. (Writes Frank Hughes)

It’s the wrong time of the season to struggle with form, and even the eternal optimist would have to say that winning the league is impossible for Skelmersdale even though they are still top.  On paper 3^rd place is more realistic, but further blips could allow Salford to push them as low as fourth, and that would really be a blow considering this has been United’s greatest season in the NWC, come what may.

The game never really got going until Ramsbottom opened up their account in the 14^th minute.  It was lethargic start by both teams, but United’s defence had totally shut off when Ian Price failed to block Steve McDonald’s run, and with that he managed to sneak through to Darren Rogers who cheekily placed the ball between the legs of Peter Crookes and into the back of the net.

Tom Hardwick & Tony Hallam both received yellow cards which pretty much took the sting out of their games, and there was a bit of hiatus in proceedings until United livened up the game in the final quarter of the first half, albeit chances were few and far between. 

Stuart Rudd had a speculative drive from 25-yards out but it was nothing more than a half chance as it flew well high of the target.

The best piece of football was to come following great work by Neil Black and Stuart Rudd down the right wing.  Rudd eventually crossed to Tom Hardwick who in turn fed the ball inside to Michael Douglas who struck the ball well, but once again it was high of the intended target.

United came out a slightly reformed team in the second half.

In the 47^th minute the ‘Ram’s keeper played ‘Russian Roulette’ with the ball outside his own area when he had more than enough time to clear a straight forward back pass, but such ‘tomfoolery’ in front of a 42 goal hero such as Stuart Rudd should’ve seen Martin Campbell duly punished, but unfortunately Rudd who’d snatched the ball from his feet, turned at the edge of the box to float the ball goalward bound only to see the centre half head the ball onto the underside of the crossbar before it was scrambled away to safety.

Once again though United took liberties as Chris Steele tore a strip off Neil Black to race clear before delivering a great cross to Darren Rogers at the far post.  Rogers was unmarked, but fortunately he headed wide when he really should’ve hit the target.

Michael Douglas missed the target by just a couple of feet as he tried a speculative effort from 20-yards out.  United were clearly getting time on the ball and space was opening up for them, but the shooting boots weren’t as reliable as they have normally been.

In the 56^th minute Ramsbottom failed to clear a Michael Cole corner, and the ball came out to Tom Hardwick, and from the edge of the box his shot was a bit closer to the target.

Just before the hour mark Hardwick was brought down a couple of yards inside the penalty area following a threatening run, and the ref duly blew to acknowledge the foul, but what wasn’t clear was why he hadn’t awarded a penalty, and instead gave a free kick at the edge of the box.  Indeed had it been committed at the edge of the box, surely he should’ve booked Hardwick for diving.  In the end United had to settle for the free kick, but Cole’s effort was blazed high over the crossbar.  Scant consolation in the end.

Darren Rogers took advantage of United’s sleepy defence to break the offside trap, but with a gaping target he somehow managed to miss it altogether much to the relief of the Skem players.  Steve McDonald did slightly better as he managed to squeeze in a shot from an acute angle.  It was still wide of the upright but deserved more for endeavour.

Paul Rogers spotted Stuart Rudd unmarked as he crossed to the far post and from 12-yards out Rudd blasted the ball on the volley only to see it crash into the side netting.  Rudd had another effort minutes later, but from 25-yards out it lacked pace and the keeper gathered it easily.

The game went past the point of recovery when Michael Douglas put the ball into his own net from Steve McDonald’s cross in the 79^th minute, but it was the farce that preceded it that proved their ultimate downfall.  Steve Rimmer had played the ball back to Peter Crookes who only had to launch the ball, but instead he hit it straight at McDonald.  The ball at that point was running free, but McDonald beat Rimmer to the ball, and the rest was history.

Michael Cole hit the upright in the closing stages of the game and Campbell cleared a Michael Douglas effort off the line with his outstretched feet, but the damage was insurmountable and United had to settle for their 6^th defeat of the season.

M.O.M.  Steve Rimmer.

Not many players came out of this game with any credit at all, but Steve Rimmer stood up to the challenge and made life a little more comfortable at the back.

Crookes, Price, Standley, Hallam, Rimmer, Black (14. Obong 74) Cole, Douglas, Rudd, Rogers, Hardwick (12. Wallace 63) Sub not used: 15. Holmes.

United’s next home game is against Abbey Hey on Saturday 22^nd April 2006.  It is ‘Ladies Day’ at the Ashley Travel Stadium, with all Ladies being allowed in free of charge.  Although not a requirement, but in tradition with any normal ‘Ladies Day’ there will be a prize for the Lady wearing the best headdress!  Of course children still go free as long as accompanied by a paying adult, and students go free on production of their Student Union Cards.

Looking ahead to next season, the club is looking for a Skem United ‘Dance Academy’ to enhance its pre-match entertainment.  This would of course suit an up and running dance troupe who would be interested in showcasing their talents in front of the Skem supporters on a regular basis.  If interested please contact (07766054548)

The forthcoming Charity Match on Sunday 23^rd April 2006 has now gone all-ticket due to huge demand.  Any remaining tickets will be sold up until 10am the same day.  So the news there is to buy early to avoid disappointment!

Tuesday 4^th April 2006.

Skelmersdale United 1 Formby 1

How crucial Tony Hallam’s 89^th minute bullet header will prove to be at the end of the season remains to be seen for now, but without it United were heading for their 6^th defeat of the season against the league’s basement team. (Writes Frank Hughes)

With Cammell Laird losing at Ramsbottom and Alsager thrashing Salford on the same night, dropping two points made it all that more hurtful, with Manager Paul Gallagher absolutely ‘gutted.’

“I said to the lads before the game that this was potentially the biggest banana skin we’ll face in all of the games.  It’s a local ‘derby’ and most of the players know each other, and with Formby desperate to avoid relegation they were always going to play out of their skins.

“Formby had also strengthened their squad with the highly experienced Will Dolan on-loan from Marine, and he had a fantastic game as their sole striker, and add to that ex-Skem player Billy Knowles who also had a great game.

“I suppose we were lucky to get a draw in the end, but based on the chances we had throughout the game we deserved at least a point, but now we can’t really afford to lose anymore points.”

You can’t take anything away from Formby because they put in a great performance from start to finish, but the sad things is they are clearly capable and had they put this effort in earlier on in the season they wouldn’t be staring relegation in the face.

Will Dolan made the first impact in the opening seconds of the game.  James King raced down the right wing before squaring the ball to Dolan at the near post but fortunately for Skem, despite being in a great position he put the ball wide when he really should’ve hit the target.

Cole was having a similar impact down the flanks.  First he put a great cross into Tony Hallam, but the keeper blocked his header, and soon after following a great run he cut inside to the edge of the box before firing marginally wide.

A free kick by Steve Rimmer found the head of Hallam, and unopposed he hit the crossbar.  In fact during the first half it was all one-way traffic, but the end product wasn’t good enough.

Following a great run down the flank, Neil Black changed direction as he angled in to the box but ballooned a shot well over the intended target.  And soon after Rimmer’s shot was blocked, and Douglas’ follow-up was cleared off the line.

Dave Standley tried a low angled shot just before the break, and the keeper fumbled what should’ve been a comfortable collection, and sighed with relief as nobody was in the vicinity to take advantage.

United started the second half as the aggressor’s.  Stuart Rudd’s header was cleared by Mark Kerr as it looked to be heading into the net, and Rudd again had a low drive at the target minutes later, but it was all a bit too comfortable for the keeper.  Ian Price had made great run down the right flank before playing the ball to Neil Black, and as once again he cut inside his marker, you half expected him to have a shot, but after his previous effort, he laid the ball off to Rudd, with the end result not really justifying the great build-up.

Michael Cole’s free kick hit the outside edge of the upright in the 62^nd minute, and he followed that up with a great corner to the near post for Carl Osman to skim a shot wide of the target.

Steve Rimmer & Paul Rogers had half chances before Formby almost took the lead against the run of play.  Adam Carden got behind the last man and homing in on the target he only had the keeper to beat, but fortunately Crookes pulled off a great block.

Formby eventually got their noses ahead, and it was Adam Carden who managed to break the deadlock.  A great through ball left him clear of any defender, but once again Crookes shot off his line to make a great block save.  Carden was forced wide giving both keeper and defence time to regroup, however this time Crooks made the mistake of charging forward again, and from an acute angle Carden could see a chink of light between the keeper and far post and guided the ball into the back of the net.

Stuart Rudd turned his marker at the edge of the box 2 minutes later, and almost restored parity but the ball eventually strayed marginally wide of the upright. 

A minute before the end of normal time United earned a point that could prove ever so vital in the final reckoning, as Tony Hallam blasted the ball into the back of the net with a thunderous header from a Neil Black cross.  It was such a strong header that had their been a wall in the way of him and the target, then the wall would’ve come off second best.

In injury time Stuart Rudd curled a decent effort over the crossbar from 25-yards out, but in the end a point was all United were going to get out of this game.

MOM ~ TONY HALLAM

It was an off day for most, but Tony’s will to at least snatch a point back epitomised what he is all about.  Blood, guts and thunder…when perhaps others had given up the ghost.

1. Crookes 2. Price (15. Obong) 3. Standley, 4. Hallam 5. Rimmer 6.Black 7. Cole 8. Douglas. 9. Rudd. 10. Rogers 11. Hardwick (12. Hardwick 59. Sub not used 14. Wallace.

Saturday 1^st April 2006.

Skelmersdale United 3 Maine Road 1

Maine Road justified their lofty league position as they put up a stubborn resistance against the league leaders, and they even had the cheek to take the lead. (Writes Frank Hughes)

With only one defeat in the last dozen games United are clearly the form team in the league, but the chasing pack were looking at this fixture as a potential banana skin.  However, United have formed their very own stubborn streak and aren’t prepared to give this challenge up until it becomes an impossible task.

Heavy overnight rain, meant a greasy surface, and a swirling wind prevented attractive football at times.  Nevertheless, United adapted better to the conditions, and for the opening 20 minutes it was almost one-way traffic.

Michael Cole’s swerving shot from the edge of the box missed the angle by inches, and a couple of half efforts by Rogers and Rudd were buffeted by the wind.

The clearest opportunity came in the 19^th minute as Paul Rogers made a darting run into the box, but just as he was measuring up the target he was brought down from behind.  Unfortunately Mr Newell one of the league’s better referee’s waved play on despite being in a great position.

United were caught on the break.  Mark Mitchell received the ball inside the box, but his shot en route was blocked in the crowded area.  Steve Cheetham followed up at close range only to see his shot blocked by the feet of Peter Crookes.

Maine Road’s confidence began to grow, and as a result they took the lead on the half hour mark.  Peter Crookes was soon to turn villain when he needlessly raced out of his area in an attempt to clear a forward ball to Mark Mitchell.  It was needless in so much as Mitchell was being marked by Dave Standley.  Crookes’ sliding challenge came to nothing as he completely missed the ball, but Standley still managed to force him wide.  Crookes raced back to his goal, and at the same time Mitchell hit a hopeful shot from an acute angle, and the ball crept in between Crookes and his near post to end up in the back of the net.

United brushed themselves down and five minutes later they restored parity.  Michael Cole’s free kick from just inside the United half was headed square from the far post by Stuart Rudd over Maine Road’s defence to leave Paul Rogers with a simple tap in from 8-yards out.

2 minutes later Cole received the ball via the head of Rogers, but this time the keeper blocked the eventual shot.

United’s timing was impeccable as they managed to take the lead a minute before the interval.  Once again the goal came via a free kick from a similar position to the first.  Michael Douglas managed to head Cole’s free kick back into the danger area, with the ball taking a slight deflection before Rudd buried the ball on the volley from waist height into the back of the net.

Maine Road dominated things for the opening ten minutes of the second half, as they took advantage of the prevailing wind but other than a Steve Cheetham cross that had to be cleared for a corner, they were far from threatening in front of the goal.

United reclaimed the game from that point on with some neat football.

A great run by Paul Rogers in the 56^th minute resulted in an attempt to lob the keeper as he came racing out, but in hindsight a full bodied shot would’ve been far more effective as in the end the keeper simply plucked the shot out of the sky.

Tony Hallam received the ball from a quickly taken free kick and from 30-yards out attempted a low drive.  The keeper collected well but you could sense Maine Road were about to wilt under the pressure.  Indeed that was exactly what happened in the 70^th minute.  Dave Standley fed a superb through ball to Stuart Rudd, but just as it looked as though Rudd would switch to his more orthodox position he placed a left footed shot from an acute angle in between keeper and near post, and the ball trickled over the line via the keepers’ elbow.

In the closing stages Neil Black blazed a sitter well over the crossbar, when it really looked easier to score than miss.  And they could afford the luxury of further misses as Stuart Rudd hit the crossbar following a great cross by Ben Obong, and as the game drew to a close Rudd had a shot blocked by the legs of Greg Hall.

MOM ~ Ian Price

Michael Cole & Michael Douglas both put in sterling performances, as did the two front men, and especially Paul Rogers who has rejoined the team looking the complete package.

The return of Steve Rimmer meant that alongside Hallam there was absolutely no aerial threat, which left them chasing the wings.

But the award goes to Price as he managed stifle their main threat out as the visitor’s threw everything down the left wing, and he was also mixing it further up field with some crunching tackles.

Team: 1. Crookes 2. Price 3. Standley (15. Holmes) 4. Hallam 5. Rimmer 6. Black (14. Obong 80) 7. Cole 8. Douglas 9. Rudd 10. Rogers 11. Hardwick.  Sub not used: 12. Wallace

Att: 262

United are on their travels again this coming Saturday as they make the trip to Ramsbottom United, KO 3pm, and they follow that up with the rearranged game at Glossop next Tuesday night, KO 7-45pm.

Incidentally tickets for the forthcoming Charity Match on Sunday 23^rd of April 2006 have gone on general sale.  You can get your ticket direct from the club during working hours, 7pm – 11pm Sunday - Thursday or 12pm –12am Friday’s & Saturday’s.  People are advised to buy early to avoid disappointment as tickets are selling fast.  For further information contact 07766054548.

Saturday 25^th March 2006.

Stone Dominoes 2 Skelmersdale United 4

With second placed Alsager Town losing at Maine Road, United increased their lead at the top to 11 points. (Writes Frank Hughes)

In complete contrast to the opening game of the season when United battered Stone 9-0, the North West Counties basement club gave Skem the odd scare, twice coming back from a goal down.

United Manager, Paul Gallagher was “relieved” with the final result.

He said: “It wasn’t pretty to watch at times I must admit, but I’ll take three points any which way they come at this stage of the season.

“We looked ragged in the first half and we created our own problems because we were far too square in defence, but come the second half even though they managed to peg us back for a second time, I felt as though there was only one team capable of winning it.

“When you allow a team like Stone to come back at you, you raise their confidence, but give the boys their due, they didn’t rush things and waited for the openings to come.  So all in all I have to be pleased as well as relieved, and if Stone continue to play like that I’m sure they will avoid relegation.”

It all started off very well as United took the lead in the 3^rd minute.  Brian Holmes played an excellent cross to Neil Black at the near post who in turn clipped the ball square to Paul Rogers, and totally unmarked Rogers fired the ball into the top of the net with his trusted left foot.  At that stage Stone must’ve been expecting an avalanche, until they levelled the game in the 10^th minute.

A clearance from Stone’s half found Paul Edwards who was clearly in an offside position, but with the assistant referee’s head down it was no surprise that it wasn’t given.  Needless to say Edwards broke to the by-line before feeding a cross to Grant Thorley who simply tapped the ball into the net.

Paul Rogers followed up soon after with a couple of efforts.  First heading over a Cole corner from close range, and the second one coming as the defence backed off him, and from the edge of the box he unleashed a shot that the keeper just managed to tip over the crossbar

Stuart Rudd gave us a glimpse of what was to come as he fired a good low shot from the edge of the area, but unfo