Injury time heartbreak for Skem

RUSHALL Olympic sit five points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division but returned down the M6 rather fortunate to maintain that margin after Skelmersdale United at least matched them at the Uretek Stadium.

Going a goal down to a deflected shot midway through the first-half, Skelmersdale had more of the possession after the interval and after pushing and pushing against a highly organised and solid defence they got their breakthrough on 86 minutes when Max Hazeldine was sent crashing to the ground, allowing Chris Almond to slot a deserved spot kick equaliser.

However in a cruel last few minutes, league leaders Rushall fought back, won a corner and managed to blast home a winner in added time.

Rushall struck on 34 minutes.

Jazz Luckie ran at the Skem defence from the left, his route taking him toward the middle of the pitch, he shot from 20 yards struck a defender and left Fearon no chance at all at it went into the corner of the net opposite him.

The pattern of play in the second-half was pretty straight forward, Skelmersdale pushed to equalise and Rushall fell back on the defensive, relying on the counterattack, a tactic which they were extremely efficient with, especially the defence which was probably the best Skem have met this season.

Four minutes from time the ball was played to Hazeldine’s feet, at his back was big centreback Henry Eze, Hazeldine riggled past him and with an out stretched leg was tripped, the referee awarded a penalty and Eze exited proceedings after a second yellow card of the afternoon, Almond sending Rushall keeper Jose Veiga the wrong way from the spot.

Rushall reacted by going onto the attack and to a point it could be argued that Skelmersdale panicked a little, Rushall won a corner, the ball wasn’t cleared properly and Joe Hull hit a low shot into the Skelmersdale goal from 12 yards.