Mini’s hat-trick sinks Saints in Cup success
SKELMERSDALE United manager Paul McNally’s arrival was delayed for his side’s Macron Cup tie against St Helens, arriving just seven minutes before half time – he would not have been too impressed as his backroom staff detailed the game up to that point.
United had gone behind in the 11th minute when Ben Cartwright struck a firm free kick from 25 yards out that nestled in the bottom corner and put the underdogs in front.
And just to exacerbate the situation, just before McNally arrived, Mini Adegbenro had missed a penalty.
However, within two minutes of the “Mercurial McNally’s” arrival, Skem drew level, a brilliant through ball from Michael Grogan set Adegbenro free and he made no mistake this time firing past Town’s former Burscough goalkeeper Dave Jones to draw the sides level,
Two minutes later and again it was Adegbenro who fired Skelmersdale into the lead from close range, followed just before half time Danny Mitchley somehow managed to find the back of the net through a crowded goalmouth.
From being a goal down United had scored three goals after McNally’s arrival in a whirlwind four minutes, that took the stuffing out of a valiant St Helens side, who defied their league form and had given United a fright for the first forty minutes of the half.
Skelmersdale added a fourth goal on 53 minutes at the same time effectively killing the game off.
Kenny Strickland found himself unmarked in the box and responded by smashing the ball home in a manner that has been something of a trademark of his over the years.
Skem goalkeeper Ben Barnes still had to be on his toes, making two crucial saves to deny any chance of a Saints comeback.
The inform Adegbenro completed his hat trick with 80 minutes on the clock, out pacing the defence to fire home for his first three goal haul in United colours.
Skelmersdale completed the scoring three minutes from time as Baba Conteh did well to find space inside the box to score United’s sixth.
It was a good work out for United who now look forward to playing a Macron Cup Quarter final against Macclesfield and also a Play-off date both scheduled for 30th April.
Skem fans know that McNally can work wonders after the evenings showings but although they wouldn’t put it past him winning both games on the same day, it is hopefully not likely to be required!
Barnes, Griffiths, Preston, Lees, Herbert, Grogan, Morris, Strickland, Mitchley, Conteh, Adegbenro, Subs Servuts, Croughan,
Howard (not used) Holden, Salkeld
Jones, Caddick, Jansen, Kamara ©, Brown, Clarke, Apperley, McHugh, Korie-Butler,
Cartwright, Douglas Subs Critchlow, Onuh, Tulomba, Akhigbe- Midu Thomas De Prez
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