Tell Skem why they like Monday

ON their first venture into Monday night football for a while Skelmersdale United had more of the possession, more of the chances and in the end finished up with the crucial stat - more of the goals against the in form men from West Yorkshire.

Somewhat against the run of play Skelmersdale had gone behind in the 24th minute, equalised before half-time then thoroughly deserved their success as they scored two more without reply after the break.

Skelmersdale United manager Dave Powell made just one outfield change to his team as they set out on a revenge mission, having lost 3-1 at Albion’s Dimple Well’s ground just nine days ago, Jordan Darr replacing Tunde Owolabi on the wing.

Skem opened with a wonderful move in the third minute, Scott Bakkor helped the ball onto Liam Davies and the weight of pass he put down the left-hand side of the Albion defence was exquisite.

It set James Barrigan on the run at goal, as goalkeeper James Coates came out to meet him, Barrigan lifted the ball over him only to see it go just over the crossbar.

Soon Darr got in on the act, shooting just wide on 11 minutes then bringing a save from Cotes three minutes later.

Albion briefly threatened in the 16th minute when Aidan Chippendale put the ball across the face of the Skem goal, but generally it was one way only.

In the 22nd minute Bakkor beat Albion defender Derek Ubah in a storming run but the ball was eventually cleared off the Albion goal-line.

When the visitors scored in the 24th minute it was quite a surprise.

A corner from the right was simply not dealt with and went to the far post, where Tom Corner met the ball with his stomach, the ball bobbling into the Skem goal.

Ossett were the best team for the next twenty minutes.

Skem held on well until the 40th minute when the ball was scrambled away for a corner, from the corner Ubah headed wide at the far post and maybe should have scored.

It was then a surprise when Skelmersdale equalised on 42 minutes.

Bakkor picked up the ball midway in the Albion half, he set off to goal and hit a 25 yard shot that got a deflection and left goalkeeper Coates a spectator as it went past him.

The opening exchanges of the second-half went Albion’s way. Soon Skem goalkeeper Callum Lee Roberts did well to parry the ball away after Chippendale was put away at pace, then on 53 minutes he saved a shot and two rebounds when the same player got in again.

Skelmersdale took the lead in the 57th minute and it was without doubt the goal of the game.

The six foot plus Mike Roddy neatly beat a man in the middle of the park then played the ball to Bakkor, he quickly put it to Davies’ feet, the midfielder created an angle then drove the ball straight into the top corner from 20 yards with his left-foot.

If Albion fancied their chances still it became a lot harder for them on 66 minutes when Jack Stockdill was shown a red card for his challenge on Arnie Baxendale, interestingly no one made strong protests about the decision.

Skelmersdale were again in charge.

Darr was thwarted by a good tackle from Jacob Young on 69 minutes but five minutes later an incisive move brought Skem some breathing space.

Davies made an enterprising run down the right and crossed the ball without breaking his stride, Bakkor helped the ball on and James Barrigan put the ball under Albion keeper Coates to make it 3-1.

Ossett simply didn’t seem to have the legs left to match Skem, they went on the attack but created little.

Scott Metcalfe hit Skem’s far post with a cross but that wasn’t what he meant to do and the same player may have had a penalty shout in the third minute of added time.

Skelmersdale ran the game down well to secure their victory, capturing three points that will finally kill off the worries of some Skem supporters, though realistically they were gone two weeks ago.

Skelmersdale manager Dave Powell was smiling in his post match interview, he said: “It was probably our most disciplined performance of the season, against a team who had hadn’t lost for eight games; I think it shows how far we have come.

“We have now lost only one in six ourselves.

“We saw two form teams playing a good brand of football, it was exciting all action, the work rate of both teams was outstanding, and I am delighted.

“I was really pleased with the whole squad; there have been some top-drawer attitudes from everyone.”