Molyneux’s delight at half century

FORMER Everton youth captain Tom Molyneux expressed his delight at reaching 50 appearances for Skelmersdale United following the recent 2-0 defeat to Chasetown.

The midfielder has impressed new manager Paul McNally as United look to battle against the drop this term.

Skelmersdale have gone 20 games without victory in the Evo-Stik West and remain eight points from safety after the galling 6-1 loss to Trafford on Tuesday.

McNally is yet to land his first win since replacing Dave Powell in December and despite bringing in several new signings, relegation is looking an increasingly realistic prospect with 13 games of the season remaining.

Molyneux racked up 46 consecutive appearances for the club after making his debut in October 2017 before injury and suspension at the tail end of last year forced the 24-year-old into missing several festive fixtures.

After reaching the half-century, however, Tom said: “It’s great. It’s come round really quickly. I came down in 2017 and got in the side and stayed in ever since.

“I think [reaching 50 was] delayed a little bit with my injury and suspension because we were hoping to get it on New Year’s Day but it’s nice to get a milestone.

“It’s been a really difficult year so to keep sticking [with] it, I know a lot of lads have come and gone, so to continue being here through that period is something to really take away from it I think.”

United welcome Clitheroe this weekend knowing a result is crucial against the 17th-place outfit. McNally will have identified this fixture as must-win with the visitors on a similarly dismal run of form, losing nine of their past 11 games and winning none.

Skem are yet to register a home victory this season, however, as their ground-share with Prescot Cables continues following a dispute with the landlord at their previous Uretek Stadium arena.