Skem United draw 0-0 at Durham City

Mar 19 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

Durham City0

Skelmersdale0

UNITED were arguably the better side in this entertaining encounter, but they just couldn’t get their noses ahead against the leaders.

Shaun Foster’s 40-yarder in the second minute set the tone for the game, and was only a fraction or so over the crossbar, and a minute later Aaron Turner went on a run in which he beat five players before delivering a low but hard shot into the keeper’s hands.

In the seventh minute Neil Robinson’s half volley whizzed inches wide of the upright, following a great move which was started by Aaron Turner, and was followed by some great inter play between Shaun Foster and Chris Almond.

Indeed, Robinson found himself in a great position when Almond’s lay-off arrived, but the ball bounced a little higher than anticipated on the artificial surface, leaving Robinson with a difficult shot to control.

Ryan McMahon pulled off a world class save in the 13th minute to prevent Shaun Bell from heading home at the near post – a timely reminder that Durham are in pole position for a reason.

It didn’t put Skem off pressing forward.

Kevin Towey had an effort in the 20th minute, but fired wide when he really should’ve done far better, and minutes later Turner’s shot, albeit weakened as he failed to make a decent contact, was good enough to force a mistake out of the keeper who spilt his shot before recovering at the second attempt.

On the half hour mark Chris Almond squeezed between the two centre halves following Adam Birchall’s through ball, and his shot was literally inches wide of the woodwork.

The tempo in the second half slowed down momentarily, but when the pace was upped it was Durham that came close to opening up the scoring as Steven Richardson’s shot was turned away by Ryan McMahon.

Large parts of the second half were box to box, but with little in the way of clear cut opportunities as both teams defended very well, but Skem took control of the last 20 minutes of the game and looked the more likely team to score.

Substitute, Mark Houghton made good use of his fresh legs by catching Durham flat footed in the 70th minute, but rather than go for glory which in hindsight might have been the lesser of two evils, he passed the ball to the far post only to see Chris Almond fail to put his head on the ball when an open goal was begging.

Steve Akrigg’s 20-yarder was ballooned over the crossbar in the 75th minute, but at least United were showing a willingness to win the game, with a defender hungry enough to work box to box.

Crowder’s corner was cleared as far as Kevin Towey in the 79th minute who unleashed a robust shot, but unfortunately it was directed into the keeper’s hands.

Steve Akrigg had the best opportunity of the game in the 82nd minute when he was presented with a clear passage to the target, but unfortunately he miscued his shot and the ball was eventually scrambled away.

Mark Houghton got behind Durham’s defenders once again in the 83rd minute, but his dangerously drilled ball across the face of goal wasn’t quite met at the far post by Chris Almond. In fairness to the fastest man on the pitch, he’d literally ran his socks off all night and could be forgiven.

Just before the end of the game Kevin Towey’s 25-yard effort did little to test the keeper as it went directly into his hands, but at least United had left a notice of intent upon the leaders.

M.O.M. Steve Akrigg.

Blocked Durham’s route all night, but also proved a handful whilst charging forwards as a makeshift attacker.

Team: McMahon, Foster, Crowder, Akrigg, White, Turner, Towey, Birchall, AQlmond, Robinson (12. Houghton 58) Armstrong. Subs Not Used: 14 Wade, 15. Morrison, 16. Walker, 17. Bathurst.

Att:300