Mick’s tricks undo Skem’s hard work

SKELMERSDALE well on Saturday. Something of a statement when you have lost 3-1 at home, but they are the thoughts of manager Tommy Lawson after the Evo-Stik Premier Division’s surprise package this season completed a double over Skem, thanks to a pair of penalties and what can only be described as a gift of a goal.

Mickleover were expected to find it hard work this season, their manager had left to take over Matlock Town after he had rescued Sports from the jaws of relegation with a late season run, they were then taken over by former Burton Albion midfielder John McGrath in his first ever managerial position, so when Tommy Lawson adds ‘They are without doubt the best team we have played this season’ it is high praise indeed and Sport’s league position backs that sentiment up too.

It also shows that Skelmersdale after a slow start to the season are on the right United played tracks to improve themselves as at times they more than matched Mickleover.

Luck could be said to be against Skelmersdale just now.

After their close battle with Workington, they sprang from then traps and were probably the best team in the firsthalf, but they still finished up a goal down at the interval.

Skelmersdale had a goal disallowed in the fifth minute due to a push in the build-up then a sharp pass from Chris Almond gave Luke Wall a chance that went past the far post on 16 minutes.

In the 22nd minute Almond was slipped in behind the Mickleover backline, but the visitors were rescued by a magnificently timed tackle by Jack Broadhead, just as Almond was about to ‘pull the trigger.’

On the half-hour Skelmersdale went close twice.

Paul Woolcott zipped in a 20 yard shot that was finger-tipped over the crossbar by Sports goalkeeper Jake Eastwood, then from the corner, Rob McIntosh headed wide of the near-post.

Soon afterwards Wall had a shot from outside the box clawed to safety by Eastwood, before Almond was beaten to the ball by Pablo Mills as again the goal beckoned.

Long after the referee had signalled two minutes added time, Mickleover broke and Andy Dales cut into the Skem penalty area from the left, Rob Bodie challenged and the midfielder went down, though it was difficult to see what contact had been made.

The referee awarded a penalty and Adam Baskerville duly converted.

On all balance of play in the first-half, only a very harsh critic could conclude that Skelmersdale deserved to be behind at the break.

Mickleover are full of confidence and straight after the restart they went in for the kill and achieved their aim with clinical efficiency, though not without a couple of errors from Skem.

A 51st minute long ball brought confusion between goalkeeper Phil Priestley and full- back Valtar Fernandes, the ball ran free and Brodie Lichfield scored from an easy position.

Two minutes later, a through ball was allowed to run, Paul Woolcott challenged, Litchfield went down in a tangle of legs and himself made it 3-0 from the penalty spot, sadly for Skelmersdale it was game over, with confidence low they were never going to pull back three goals, though they did respond well.

As Skelmersdale tried to salvage the situation, Kenny Strickland had a shot palmed away by Eastwood, Almond brought a tip over the bar with a header, down the other end Broadhead brought a good reaction save from Priestley.

In the dying moments, substitute Danny Burns fought his way down the right, as he entered the penalty area he was wrestled off the ball by Lewis Belgrave and Skelmersdale were given a penalty, Strickland stepping up to fire home Skem’s consolation.

But tt was too late to save Skelmersdale.