Skem make a clean break from Atherton low point
TWO teams took to the pitch at Surrey Street on a wet Saturday afternoon in search of their first league win of the season – and although at 4.50pm both teams were still in search of that elusive victory, Skelmersdale went home the happier as they kept their first clean sheet of the season.
And at the same time they exorcised that big defeat at Atherton Collieries last week.
Skelmersdale made three changes to the side that had been beaten so heavily at Atherton the previous week, manager Dave Powell introducing Jack Fleming, Dave Moore and Kyle Hawley to the starting lineup.
Despite the final scoreline, both teams went for victory from the off.
Skelmersdale’s Kyle Hawley went close twice in the early stages, the first not capitalising on a knock down from Dave Moore.
At the other end a left-wing corner went across the face of goal before a Will Beesley free-kick kissed the outside of the post.
As the half progressed Paul Ennis agonisingly put a shot inches wide of the far post as Skelmersdale attacked, then after home goalkeeper Russ Saunders spilled a shot from Kevin Edgar, a scramble in the goalmouth fell the hosts way and the ball was cleared.
It was becoming a good game, scrappy in places but with plenty of action at both ends to keep the spectators enthralled on a dank afternoon in the Pennine foothills.
After the interval Skelmersdale goalkeeper Terry Smith, who was present thanks to a successful appeal after last week’s dismissal, saved from a Darren McKnight free-kick and a Matty Russell shot.
Chances were not as plentiful as they had been in the first half but the game was still finely balanced.
As the end approached nerves started to jangle for Skem and in the last moments there was one almighty panic as the ball was allowed to drift untouched right across the face of their goal for a corner.
A goal would have been a complete injustice, but it nearly was one.
After the match Powell said: “I am delighted with the spirit, delighted with the clean sheet.
“It all came together in midweek, we were nice and solid, we changed the shape to do that, but having done that we still created seven or eight good opportunities. With a bit more luck we could have two or three up at half-time. Overall, excellent.”