United’s perfect start to decade comes to an end at Gate
APERFECT start to 2020 for United came to an end on Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Squires Gate.
Paul McNally promoted the trio of Cameron Glennon, Jordan Tyrer and Tom Grimshaw to the lineup with Sam Byrne sidelined and Daniel Murphy and Tom Croughan dropping to the bench after midweek knocks and it was a bench that also included fit again Luke Holden-Moakes and potential Academy debutant Ged Traynor.
The early stages were even between the sides before United had the ball in the net on 10 minutes but to their dismay, Richard Brodie’s effort was chalked off after he shot from an offside position.
Gate replied with Dean Ing holding off pressure from Cameron Glennon before squaring for James Boyd who could only send a shot over the bar.
The hosts soon struck the opener as a long range kick from keeper Jordan found headed flick-ons from Gary Pett and Ryan Riley into the path of Ing, who fired past the oncoming Ben
Barnes for 1-0 on 18 minutes. Ing looked to double his and Gate’s tally minutes later but could only slot past the near post after a clever run before Josh Westwood’s header from a corner forced Barnes to tip the effort over the bar.
United equalised on 28 minutes after a scramble in the Gate area caused by Jordan Tyrer’s flicked header saw Tom Grimshaw force a pointblank save from Gidley who parried into the path of Ben Stanton who fired in for 1-1.
United should have gone ahead before the half-hour mark with two huge chances, Brodie’s through ball saw Emini Adegbenro collect and round the onrushing Gidley but with the goal at his mercy, he could only find the side netting.
Minutes later, he went even closer by heading a Tom Grimshaw cross against the bar with Gidley beaten.
The second half began with Pett drawing a parry from Barnes with a free-kick before Gate regained the lead on 54 minutes, Cameron Gourlay heading in for 2-1 after Ing had headed Pett’s free-kick against the bar.
United had a great chance to draw level with Adegbenro crossing low for
Brodie who missed the target from close range. The 71st minute saw a new line of history for United as Paul McNally sent on Ged Traynor with the 17-year-old becoming the first NPLFA debutant for the club.
Less than a minute later, United suffered a blow with the combination of Stanton and Regan Jarrett felling Jacob Higham and the referee awarding a penalty.
James Boyd stepped up and slotted past Barnes for 3-1.
United continued to threaten with a through ball by Traynor releasing Jack Grimshaw who advanced on goal and forced a fingertip save over the bar from Gidley with a powerful shot.
Gate responded with Josh Westwood hitting an effort against the post which proved to be the final chance as the final whistle followed minutes later leaving United with their first defeat of the year.
SQUIRES GATE: Gidley, Dodd, Westwood, Gourley (Holden 88), Higham, Riley (Pollard 73), Turner, Farnworth, Boyd, Ing (Iley 85), Pett. Subs not used- Garrett, Johanson.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Barnes, Glennon (Ellis 65), Jarrett (Holden-Moakes 77), J.Grimshaw, Stanton, Tyrer (c), Davies, T.Grimshaw, Brodie, Griffiths (Traynor 71), Adegbenro. Subs not used- Murphy, Croughan.
REFEREE: A.Kelly ATT: 61