Comeback scuppers United’s Vase hopes
SKELMERSDALE United’s FA Vase came to an end on Friday night as they suffered a comeback from NWCFL Div One South side Wythenshawe Town to lose 2-1.
Two changes from Tuesday’s win saw John Keatley and Liam Wood come into the lineup in place of Phillip Doran and Tom Croughan, the latter named on the bench
The visitors started the brighter with Jerome Wright causing trouble on the wing and finding a way past Matthew Coughlan before hitting over the bar and minutes later he went closer with his shot being tipped past the post by Ben Barnes.
United’s response saw Richard Brodie head narrowly past the post after latching on to a long-range free kick.
The visitors were gifted a great chance as Brad Byrne was felled by Marvin Molyneux and the referee pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Stuart Wellstead who despite beating Barnes saw his spot kick cannon back off the post.
United replied with a dangerous cross from Liam Wood finding Joe Cawley in space but he could only draw a save from Callum Jakovlevs before a powerful effort from John Keatley sailed past the post.
The opening goal came for United on 40 minutes as Luke HoldenMoakes connected to a superb through pass from Alex Griffiths to advance on goal and slot past Jakovlevs for 1-0.
The lead could have doubled before the interval as Keatley stung the bar with a thundering effort that saw Cawley unable to fire in the rebound as he found the post.
Town took just 11 minutes of the second half to fraw level and they did so luckily with Brad Byrne reacting quickest after Barnes had parried Wellstead’s free-kick to tap in for 1-1.
A double blow was to befall United shortly after the hour mark as with Coughlan sinbinned for dissent, Town took advantage and completed the comeback on 63 minutes with Wellstead slotting past Barnes for 2-1 after an effort from Jack Timmons was deflected into his path.
United needed to score to avoid an exit and went close through substitute Joel Douglas who could only fire over the bar while a clever cut inside from Cawley saw him look to curl the ball into the top corner, though he could only find the palms of Jakovlevs.
The best chance for United to draw level came on 86 minutes as a cheeky free-kick from Coughlan nearly caught Jakovlevs out at the near post but the ball could only drift past the wrong side of the upright.
The visitors had one final chance to confirm the win late on with Dean Warburton’s run seeing him draw a save from Barnes. The final whistle sounded leading to a roar from the travelling contingent and a few reflections for United ahead of a trip to Irlam in the league on Tuesday night.
Barnes, Coughlan, Griffiths, Molyneux, Tyrer (c), Keatley (Croughan 77), HoldenMoakes (Grimshaw 69), Cato (Douglas 77), Cawley, Wood. Subs not used- Scoullar, Cookson.
Jakovlevs, Brotherton, Wright, Timmons (Gregory 87), Palinkas, Roberts, Byrne (Clarke 90), Smalley (c), Wellstead, Crellin-Myers (Farrand 46), Warburton. Subs not used- Lewens, Yarwood, S.Spencer, G.Spencer.
K.Hurn