Bay trip to forget and Cup success
HAMMERED at Colwyn, Comeback against Whitby, Robbie Holcroft, Amateur Cup win at Enfield...Kev Panther continues his look back on Skelmersdale United’s past...
February 23rd 2019, A day United fans will want to forget, a 9-0 defeat at Colwyn Bay in the Northern Premier League
February 17th 2018, For the second week in a row United were away to title challengers in the Northern Premier League. Scarborough were on a good run and many of the 1000 supporters present were expecting an easy win for the home side. United gave them a fright. Scott Bakkor scored United’s goal in a 2-1 defeat but it was the home fans who were willing the ref to blow for full time as United laid siege on the Scarborough goal.
February 22nd 2013 In the Northern Premier
League, United faced Whitby Town at Stormy Corner, Whitby leading 1-0 and then 2-1 with just minutes to play in a thrilling encounter. Up stepped Tom Ince on 86 minutes to draw the sides level. Two minutes later United were in front through a tap in from Dean Astbury and right on time Astbury beat the offside trap to slot home for a 4-2 win
February 21st 2005 Robbie Holcroft’s run of 398 consecutive matches came to an end when he was injured in the Marsden Trophy (Lancashire Challenge Cup) Quarter Final at Fleetwood, United winning 2-1 with goals from Osman and Rudd.
Robbie made his United debut against St Helens in the first game of the 199394 season, it was his only appearance till October 1995, a NWC Cup game against Formby, Skem winning 1-0. Although Robbie was injured in February he made a return for the final game of the 1995-96 season at Nelson, thus starting his tremendous run as Skelmersdale’s undoubted No1.
February 19th 2000. It was NW Counties Cup action for United as they travelled to the much fancied Nantwich Town, coming away with a 3-2 win. Peter Holcroft 2 and an own goal saw United through. They faced Fleetwood Freeport in the semi final, thrashing them 5-0 at White Moss Park. Newcastle Town awaited United in the final.
20th February 1993 United only picked up 7 points on their travels in the 1992-93 season, the only win coming at bottom club Blackpool Mechanics, Gary Hough, Phil McNally and a last minute winner from debutant Frank Ryan giving United a much needed 3-2 victory, it would be Ryan’s only game of the season.
Just four wins in the second half of the season saw
United slip down to 12th in the Northern Premier table, one bright spot in a period of turmoil coming on Sunday 25th February 1972 as United entertained Boston United.
“It was as though the right boot of Skelmersdale’s Tony Webber was packed with dynamite as his 25 yard record breaking free kick ripped into the netting to leave Boston’s incredible run of 51 Northern Premier League games without defeat in ruins.
Salute this Skelmersdale team - the last to beat Boston on January 22nd last year - as they overcame the hauntings of being without a home victory this year, to break the ice in such a sensational way.
United lined up John Fitton, Billy Styles, Ambrose Clarke, Billy Kay, Robin Poole, Les Lunt, John Ericson, Mick Hartland, Tony Webber, Ray Wilkinson, Brent Atherton Substitute Malcolm Woodward.
February 21st 1970 United on the March to the Amateur Cup Semi Finals again, and a Quarter final tie against Slough Town
Heighway wreaks havoc, manager claims penalty
Slough Town 0 Skelmersdale United 0
The curtain went up on a mauling with Skelmersdale being savaged like lambs by the Slough lions, but fell with United doing all the roaring and manager Roy Rees proclaiming “We should have won.”
Remorselessly, like a well drilled army repelling occasional waves of attack from raw, uncultured invaders, Skem fended off Slough forays to keep alive the North of England’s last Amateur Cup hopes. 22nd February 1969
Our Cup this time, says Skelmersdale Chairman
Enfield 1 Skelmersdale Utd 2
Skelmersdale avenged their 1967 Amateur Cup Final defeat by Enfield with a thrilling and thoroughly deserved victory at Enfield Stadium.
The Cheshire League side are now only 90 minutes from a return to Wembley. And this time we are going to win the cup predicts Chairman Mr Bill Gregson. “We are looking forward to going back to Wembley. I know there is a semi final yet, but I don’t care who we face now.
“We will not meet a better side than Enfield and our victory today is evidence of the capabilities of the side which manager Roy Rees has so carefully built.”
The tie sprang to life in the 42nd minute when Sedgely put Enfield in front with a long range drive.
It took Skem only 90 seconds to equalise, Steve Heighway, signed from Manchester City a month ago and making his Amateur Cup debut scored with a superb shot after good work by Clements and Windsor.
But it was Mickey Burns a survivor from the side that lost in the final two years ago who earned their semi final place. Burns a constant menace to the Enfield defence headed the winner with two minutes remaining of this tremendous 4th round tie.