Morris keeps Skem in hunt
GOALS in the 28th and 84th minutes by livewire forward Elliott Morris gave Skelmersdale United a victory that keeps them snapping at the heels of North West Counties League Premier Division leaders Macclesfield.
The result significantly leaves Skem in with a real chance of upsetting the odds and snatching the league title and certain promotion from the hugely supported Cheshire outfit.
The first-half was not exceptionally inspiring from both teams perspectives producing not a great deal in the way of goalmouth action; it was as if both teams restricted their opponent’s enterprising play, although Skem did have the majority of the possession.
It took a bit of quality to break the ice and it arrived just before the half-hour mark, Morris being played into space behind the Victoria backline and giving former Skelmersdale goalkeeper Chris Cheetham no chance with an excellent slotted finish to make it 1-0 to Skelmersdale.
Further opportunities came for Skem, but Michael Howard and Morris couldn’t double the advantage, the best opening for the visitors falling to Brandon Barski.
The second-half was a different proposition Northwich opened up and went for an equaliser and Skelmersdale sought to secure the points with at least one more goal.
Initially Skelmersdale’s James Salkeld had a great chance from a free kick, however his header went the wrong side of the crossbar, while down the other end Brad Lynch caused Skem some problems with a weaving run before a Luke Sephton cross only required a touch to level matters up.
Skelmersdale were probably again having more the play but Northwich posed more of a danger on the attack, it was an interesting game.
As the game entered the last thirty minutes Skem again went close, Cheetham saving well from Howard before on 77 minutes Salkeld was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a spectacular effort from 35 yards that would have been talked about for weeks if it had gone an inch or two lower.
Finally six minutes from the full time whistle Skelmersdale got that second goal that allowed them to breathe a little easier.
A quickly taken throw-in caught Northwich out to an extent and the ball was crossed low into the six yard box, Morris displayed how sharp he is by flicking the ball past Cheetham for 2-0.
In the last few minutes Northwich made a desperate attempt to rescue the game and arguably looked the most dangerous that they had all afternoon. Roman Allen hitting the home crossbar with a header and Sephton similarly hitting the post, but by then with the cushion of two goals there was no need for any panic from Skelmersdale.
If a little nervy as the season reaches its conclusion, Skelmersdale deserved their three points against a Northwich side who posed a potential banana skin to their promotion hopes.
After the game in an interview with Skem reporter Kate Maggie Paul McNally said: “It wasn’t one way traffic, we had to work hard and I am just pleased that we got the win.
“They are all tough games between now and the end of the season.”
Barnes ©, Griffiths, Preston, Herbert, Grogan, Sheen, Morris, Nicholson, Mitchley, Salkeld, Howard Subs Adegbenro, Ellams, Croughan, Strickland, Conteh
Cheetham, Camozzi ©, Clarke, Jackson, Allen, Barski, Winder, Sephton, Dudley, Lynch, Birchall Subs Bembo-Leta, Owen, Mather, Roberts, Butterworth
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