‘Great performance’ in cup giant-killing
SKELMERSDALE United’s stunning FA Cup run continued on a wet monsoon-like Saturday with a 2-1 giant-killing of NPL Premier side Lancaster City at the JMO Sports Park,
The result powers Skem into the Third Qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2006 and only the fourth time in the club’s history that they have won four FA Cup games in the same season, the others 2006, 1969 and 1924.
Skelmersdale’s reward is a trip to Longridge Town on Wednesday October 14 (although the date is yet to be confirmed). Now the lowest ranked team remaining in the FA Cup nationally, it is arguably a disappointing draw, but also arguably it is one that they can win.
Manager Paul McNally was ebullient after the game and when interviewed by the Skelmersdale United podcast after the game summed up everyone’s feelings in his initial words; “Great, wasn’t it? Great performance, great all round team performance, although I am gutted that the fans couldn’t see it.”
Paul was further asked about a substitution that turned the game, the 63rd minute introduction of Gabriel Ellis, who scored the winner within seconds, he replied: “What an impact he made.”
As for the game itself Paul said: “We have got a good team and I don’t think anyone will under estimate us, I don’t think they did, they knew they were going to get a tough time, and in my opinion they didn’t under estimate us.”
Paul McNally’s selection saw a few changes from the previous round due to a mix of illness and injuries which gave 17-year-old Harry Jones the chance to make his senior debut from the bench while Lancaster’s line-up included goalkeeper Sam Ashton who was part of Skelmersdale’s 2013 title winning side.
United started the brighter of the two sides in torrential weather conditions with a cross from Tom Croughan saved by Ashton inside three minutes. At the other end, Matt Blinkhorn’s cross-goal shot went past the far post before
Jacob Gregory forced a save from Ben Barnes. Christian Sloan fired a shot past the post for the Dolly Blues before Barnes was called into action again on 23 minutes as he saved superbly from Charlie Bailey while Ashton denied Emini Adegbenro’s low shot.
United’s pressure paid off on 36 minutes as a corner from the far side saw Mike Grogan connect at the far post and head past Ashton for 1-0 to stun the visitors. Lancaster drew level within two minutes of the halftime restart with Bailey slotting past Barnes for 1-1.
Both sides pushed for the next goal with a free-kick from Gregory saved by Barnes before Lloyd Ellams drew a stop from Ashton at the other end. Just after the hour mark, Paul McNally brought on Gabriel Ellis in place of Croughan and the young winger made an instant impact, a long aerial pass from Dan Murphy saw Adegbenro connect and slide through to Ellis who raced towards goal and slotted past Ashton into the bottom corner for 2-1.
The Dolly Blues now had to try and come from behind and had two chances to level in a matter of seconds, David Norris fired a shot which saw Barnes save but parry into the path of Charlie Bailey who could only send the ball into the side netting.
United looked to wrap the game up on 79 minutes, Adegbenro raced through the City defence but was only able to send a shot across goal.
As the match entered the final five minutes, City continued to push with Barnes called on to save from two consecutive corners in as many minutes as the pressure built for the NPL side.
The match entered injury time with substitute Rob Wilson seeing a free-kick saved by Barnes, the resulting corner saw City’ keeper Ashton come up but with United clearing the set-piece through Ellis, he found Adegbenro who raced clear before being upended by Luke Higham who received his second booking and was dismissed.
The final whistle sounded leading to a raucous celebration from the players and officials as United completed a superb cup upset against the NPL Premier Division side and enter the 3Q stage for the first time since 2006/07. Hopefully, the next stage will see some fans allowed to attend as such a wonderful win as this one deserved a huge crowd.