It’s forward march as Skem turn up the heat
ALTHOUGH this game was decided by a thrilling two minutes of action, ultimately it was Skelmersdale United’s forward strength and finishing that gave them the edge over their rivals from Derbyshire last Saturday afternoon.
Glossop had started the day on maximum points and all was looking rosy for a team who are many people’s choice as promotion candidates.
At the end, though, Skem were better up front, in midfield and probably defence too, so they were deserved winners on the day.
However, it could have been a different story.
With Skelmersdale leading 1-0, Glossop won a penalty in the 75th minute, but goalkeeper Jack Sims threw himself to his left and saved Chris Baguley’s wellstruck spot-kick.
The ball was immediately sent down the other end of the field where Andy Owens hit the Glossop post for the second time and the ball ran out for a corner. The right-wing flag-kick was sent to the edge of the penalty area, where Owens turned and drove the ball low into the corner of the Glossop net to make it 2-0.
The match had started evenly with Skem grabbing the initiative in the 12th minute. A long clearance from Sims was met with a poor header by Glossop midfielder Courtney Meppen-Walter sending the ball to Remy Howarth on the left.
Initially the thought was Howarth should have let loose with a first-time left-foot shot; instead he cut inside and hit a right-foot shot low through a crowded area into the far corner of the net to put Skelmersdale into the lead.
The rest of the half saw both teams displaying plenty of endeavour, but at the same time seeing defences on top.
Meppen-Walter was doing his best to dictate play in the middle of the park.
He saw a shot curl wide of the far post and a 30-yard free-kick reached a similar conclusion.
For Skem, Owens had a shot saved and Bevan Burey fired over the crossbar.
Right on half-time Glossop worked themselves a great chance to level.
Meppen-Walter set up Billy HesterCregg with a lifted ball, but the Glossop man made a real hash of his attempted volley.
Straight after the restart Burey set up Howarth but Glossop goalkeeper Russell Saunders saved. Then just before the hour, Owens hit an upright with a header from a Burey centre.
Glossop were putting on the pressure and had more possession but were getting nowhere against a committed Skem defence.
In fact, it was Skem who were having more of the chances and they might have scored on 67 minutes when Saunders did well to save from Owens.
However, the contest’s defining moment was ignited by a handball in the Skem area by defender Callum Jones on 75 minutes – enter heroes of the day Sims and Owens.
After Skelmersdale went 2-0 up it was effectively game over. Glossop seemed to lose their momentum in the late afternoon sunshine and the nearest they came to netting was a poor far post header from Ben Deegan in the latter stages.
The season is still taking shape, but it could be said that Skelmersdale did enough to show that they have distinct promise and based on this encounter will compete against the top sides.