HOWARD WAY IS TOO GOOD!
Quartet of goals is a fine farewell
MIKE HOWARD handed Skelmersdale the perfect parting gift, scoring four goals to seal Skelmersdale’s promotion in this one-off play-off tussle.
The former Preston North End youngster is set to link up with Northern Premier outfit Warrington Town next season.
And he showed his worth with some ice-cool finishing that included a second-half penalty.
Boss Paul McNally praised his four-goal hero along with the rest of his promotion-winning side.
He told The NLP: “What a player he is. He’s not the only one.
“I have 16 great individual players but he was the icing on the cake for us today. He will get all the plaudits and quite rightly to.
“It’s a pity he won’t be with us next season but I wish him all the success in the world and I’m sure he will get back to the top level of the game which is where he belongs.
“We were outstanding today and nothing was going to stand in the way of this group of lads. The win today is the reward for the season we’ve had because they are quality.”
The North West Counties League side dominated from the start.
But they had to wait until the 32nd minute before finally making the breakthrough.
Experienced frontman Danny Mitchley turned his marker
ease before playing in Howard who fired past home keeper Nick Jones from a narrow angle.
He netted his second less than a minute into the second half, Mitchley again the provider as he sent Howard in on goal before he rounded the Cinderford shotstopper.
The hosts managed their first effort on goal just before the hour mark when substitute Toby Holland finally forced a save from Ben Barnes.
But there was no stopping the visitors. Midfielder Baba Conteh fired in the third on 62 minutes and although Zak Drew rifled in an excellent strike for the Gloucestershire side it was scant consolation.
Howard completed his hattrick from the spot following a trip on Mitchley on 84 minutes and capped an impressive performance with his fourth of the game in added on time when left in acres of space.
Beaten boss Alex Sykes paid tribute to Skelmersdale:, admitwith ting: “They have fought harder than us, worked harder than us and ultimately their quality was much better than ours.
“I’m disappointed that our season has fallen by the wayside so tamely - that’s the biggest issue for me.
“I have honest lads who have run through a brick wall for me this season but this felt like a game too far.
“Best wishes to Skelmersdale, they are a good club and they’ll be fine at the next level above.”