United prepare for winner-takes-all tie
SKELMERSDALE United’s season all comes down to a huge winner-takes-all game in Gloucestershire on Saturday – or to be more exact Cinderford Town, based in the picturesque Forest of Dean.
Skelmersdale are in Step 5 of the non league football pyramid in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are trying to win promotion to Step 4, that would mean the Northern Premier League Division One West (Step 4), a level they were relegated from a couple of years ago.
Because they finished second in the NWC Premier they must go to a play-off to achieve their aim in joining Macclesfield in promotion and the Football Association has decided the play-offs must be decided on a national basis because there are sixteen leagues nationally in Step 5.
Cinderford Town finished third from bottom of the Southern League Division One South and in order to avoid relegation from Step 4 to Step 5 they must win a play-off game against a team from Step 5 (Skelmersdale United) in a one off winner-takes-all match.
There is more to this explanation but it is complicated and would take up too much space, we hope this simplified version explains the importance of the game!
The game will be a 3pm kick off at Cinderford’s Edge Hills Road ground and if required will go to extra-time and, if necessary, penalties.
Cinderford Town is a club based 154 miles away so the game creates a huge logistical task for Skem including a drive of at least three hours (possibly four or five on a Bank Holiday weekend) and an early start.
Skem will be fairly well supported on Saturday and are running a supporters coach on the day, though that – it is understood – was booked up within two hours of the venue for the game being announced.
Further it does appear that because the hosts play in black & white Skelmersdale
will be able to play in their traditional all blue kit.
Going back to Cinderford, they finished the season with 31 points from 36 games, winning eight drawing seven and losing 21.
They will be defending a membership of the Southern League going back 21 years. So Skelmersdale face no easy task against a team that will be determined to retain their status.
Those driving down the M5 on the day, especially those using a Sat Nav, will likely need the information that Cinderford are based at The Causeway Club, Edge Hills Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire GL14 2QH
We are sure you all wish Skelmersdale
well on Saturday and a full report is planned for next week.
Saturday won’t be Skelmersdale’s last game of the season as they face a Macron Cup Quarter-Final on Monday 2nd May, away to Macclesfield, 3pm kick off, this was originally due to the be played at the JMO Sports Park but has been switched to Cheshire because of work taking place at Skem’s ground.
We understand that tickets should be purchased direct from Macclesfield FC and a segregation policy will be in place, they are available online.
If Skelmersdale win at Macclesfield they will face a trip to either Charnock Richard or Padiham in the semi-final.