A Tad below par as Skem beaten
SKELMERSDALE United’s hopes of building on last week’s away point at Ramsbottom were dealt a double blow in the first half against Tadcaster Albion at Volair Park, Prescot, when the Yorkshiremen went into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 32 minutes.
Although Skelmersdale recovered to pull a goal back before the interval, they still however found an equaliser too much for them to do in the second period, chasing the leveller eventually leaving them exposed at the back to a Tadcaster counterattack that finished the game off 15 minutes from the end.
Both teams had opportunities early on with Tadcaster probably having marginally more, the highlights for Skem seeing a half volley from Jordan Darr getting no telling touch in the Tadcaster goalmouth, for the visitors a Fraser Paprill header went over the top and a weak shot from Joe Pugh that was dealt with by Skem goalkeeper Lee Callum Roberts.
It was a loose pass and a surging run that brought about Tadcaster’s opening goal on 20 minutes.
Having received the ball from keeper Roberts, Skem left-back Jack Fleming attempted a square ball that was pounced upon by Pete Davidson, the midfielder ran straight at the Skem defence beating one man before shooting into the net from 15 yards.
In the 25th minute Conor Sellars spun clear of his Skelmersdale marker but was thwarted by a superb tackle from Mike Roddy then four minutes later Casey Stewart got clear but shot past Roberts’ far post.
Skelmersdale were living dangerously, though when they did concede the second goal on 32 minutes they had a right to complain.
Tadcaster scored off a free-kick from the left that went in via the head of Andrew Milne after he lost his marker, there was no problem with that, but the awarding of the free-kick was very different.
Pursuing the ball alongside Skem’s Phil Mooney, Aiden Savory stopped dead; leaving Mooney no choice other than to run into the Tadcaster forward, let’s just say that many would describe it as a “soft free-kick.”
Right on half-time Skelmersdale won a corner on the right and as is customary Fleming sent it to the far side of the six yard box.
It was headed down and Tom Mitchell attempted a shot but fell to the ground, after another attempt, Mitchell now sat on the floor, laid the ball off to Josh Wardle who fired home from six yards to put Skelmersdale back into the game.
Wardle’s goal lifted Skelmersdale and they set about Tadcaster after the break, soon Darr cleverly slipped away from his marker and sent the ball low right across the face of goal, but no one could supply the crucial finish.
Skelmersdale pressed but were unable to create a big impact despite having more of the possession; Tadcaster’s threat now came mostly on the counterattack.
Tadcaster effectively finished off the game on 75 minutes on one such breakaway.
Savory made a run down the left and put the ball into the path of Pugh who swept the ball into the Skelmersdale net from 20 yards.
Skem continued to push for a goal and Tyler Rufus headed wide from a good position, a debut goal from him would have given Skem a rallying point for the last few minutes, but it wasn’t to be.
Even though Skelmersdale did better in the second-half, the first-half goals had given them too big a mountain to climb.