Worthy point too little in Skem’s survival bid
IF you had asked a Skelmersdale United fan back in December would they be happy with a draw at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton, they would have likely been quite happy.
However, at the business end of the season with the last games in sight it probably wasn’t enough, because it leaves them needing points to avoid relegation with games running out.
It was a quiet opening at the Community Ground the nearest to a goal a Lewis Billingsley free-kick that was saved by Skelmersdale goalkeeper Ben Barnes. On the quarter hour it was West Didsbury again who went close this time a header from Hal McHugh going wide of the target.
On seventeen minutes Skelmersdale took the lead, it was impressive local youngster Tommy Smith, who found the net,
However the Skem lead was to last only thirteen minutes as bang on the half hour the ball dropped in the Skelmersdale goal mouth and from close range Ben Elliott was able to powerfully find the net to make it 1-1.
Play was held up for twenty minutes just before the interval when both clubs went to treat a supporter in the crowd, we do understand that the person did recover, but for a while both teams were taken off the pitch and accordingly they came out again to play the remainder of the first half before a late interval.
There was time before the break for Skelmersdale to go close to scoring after a corner.
It was a closely fought second-half both teams having opportunities, Didsbury goalkeeper Alex Hughes making one terrific save on 50 minutes when Skelmersdale were through on goal,
Skelmersdale probably had the best chance of the half with eleven minutes left on the clock, but a Jack Grimshaw header went inches over the crossbar.
The final score was frustrating to Skelmersdale, they had chances to win the game and at least matched their opposition from Manchester, but in the end it was two crucial points dropped for the home side. SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Barnes, Knowles, Grimshaw J., De Frutos
Griman, Digbeu, Chimbonda, Amarzou, Fall, De Costa, Smith, Ogiugo Subs Rodrigues, Baines, Bollongino, Langford WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON: Hughes, Cook, Graham, Mulholland, Hampson, Thornton, Matthews, Elliott, Ford, Billingsley Subs Beaumont, Grimshaw L., Hancock, Carr, Molloy ATTENDANCE: 193