Skem Chase down Town to earn point

AFTER last week’s FA Trophy exit, Skelmersdale United came from 2-0 down to secure a point. Ryan Wynter (36) and Matty Hardiman (55) put Chase 2-0 up either side of half time with Sean Yeldrem cutting the deficit ahead of a leveller on 68 minutes which saw Will Dunne’s effort deflected in for a share of the points.

Dave Powell handed a debut to Ishmael Banks with Charlie Duke suspended, Dimi Christou returned from injury while new signings Leon Arnasalem and Oliver Van Veen were included on the bench.

The hosts threatened early on with Jack Langston’s angled cross collected by Terry Smith before he claimed a low shot from Will Whieldon who had beaten the offside trap.

A long range free-kick looked to have fooled the United defence with Smith on hand to prevent the opening goal.

An angled cross from Whieldon on 22 minutes found Hardiman at the far post whose header went wide of the target and six minutes later a clever through ball from Langston put Hardiman in on goal, the resulting shot saw a strong save from Smith.

United’s first real opening saw Sean Yeldrem advance down the wing with a self-flick pass before sending over a low cross into the area, the ball could only find a defender who cleared.

Chasetown continued their pressure as a long range pass from Curtis Pond resulted in Langston advancing on goal and forcing a low stop from Smith.

United came achingly close to taking the lead on 33 minutes, Alex Griffiths slotted the ball forward for Kevin Edgar whose shot across the goal beat Pond but also the far post.

The miss was to prove a costly one as Chasetown opened the scoring three minutes later, Whieldon’s corner met superbly by Ryan Wynter who headed past Smith for 1-0.

The hosts’ lead could have been doubled just before half-time as Langston picked out Jon Beaumont who beat Smith but in doing so sent the ball wide of the goal.

A mazy run from Dimi Christou released Yeldrem down the wing who collected the ball before being forced away from goal by Sam Luke.

The second half began with the Beaumont firing an effort past the post for the hosts before a long ball from Langston found Hardiman who fired straight at Smith with 54 minutes played.

Chasetown doubled their lead in style within a minute, substitute Muzzy Nduna’s sweeping cross met superbly by Hardiman at the far post and headed past Smith for 2-0.

United cut the gap on 58 minutes with some luck, referee Tom Bowkett signalled play on after Phil Mooney was upended and quick thinking from substitute Danny McLoughlin saw him send a low cross to Yeldrem who slotted past Pond for 2-1.

The introduction of McLoughlin from the bench boosted United’s attack and he had a chance to level after a clever move but could only hit over the bar.

A lofted ball from the hosts caused panic for United, Smith caught out by an acrobatic effort from Hardiman which was eventually cleared.

At the other end, a curling cross from McLoughlin was met by Edgar at the far post but his flicked shot sailed over the target. United drew level on 68 minutes as a run and pass from Griffiths saw Edgar slot the ball past the diving Pond, Will Dunne flicked towards goal with Luke clearing off the line, Dunne flicked in again with his effort cannoning in off Wynter for 2-2.

Both sides pushed for a winner with substitute Jake Lovatt finding Langston who fired past the post before United substitute Oliver Van Veen shot over the bar at the other end.

The final chance of the game saw United sub Leon Arnasalam beat several challenges before picking out McLoughlin on the wing, the resulting shot sailing over the bar.

The final whistle sounded minutes later with both sides collecting a point, United the happier after overturning a two goal deficit to move off the foot of the table.