McNally praises fighting spirit

PAUL McNally admitted he was pleased to see a fighting spirit as Skelmersdale United edged past St Helens Town on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Liverpool Senior Cup last Thursday.

McNally handed debuts to David Maher and Steve Kipre while Jordan Dainty became the first academy product named in a squad this season.

Maher was ultimately sent off with the score goalless after striking the referee with the ball but Kipre put United ahead moments later.

Jordan Jones then equalised for the hosts, who turn out a division below Skelmersdale, but Jordan Tyrer’s sudden death spot-kick helped the Blues into the next round.

“It’s pleasing that we’ve got through obviously, I’m not going to hide that fact,” McNally said afterwards. “I just thought the first-half we were poor, a little bit laboured.

“Maybe that’s due to the fact we’ve had inactivity in the last couple of weeks, I don’t know. But we have been training, we haven’t been shirking our responsibilities.

“The second-half I gave them a bit of a kick up the backside at half-time. I shouldn’t be having to tell them at half-time but we’ve had a few choice words.

“The lads are good players, they’ve gone out there and had a go second-half. I think we were better with ten men if I’m honest!

“If I’m being really honest we were better with ten men and we had that fighting spirit I’ve wanted from the team.

“It’s good and I think we could have scored a couple more although they could have. It was a good game.”

United have since completed the signing of Accrington Stanley striker Alex O’Neill on a one-month youth loan.

The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with the club during the summer, after joining Stanley at Under-15 level.

Skelmersdale return to NWCFL Premier Division action against Hanley Town this weekend