Skelmersdale United FC 4-2 Mossley

Mar 13 2009 By Frank Hughes

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UNITED finally got back to winning ways with a comprehensive win over Mossley.

They know how to do things the hard way though; conceding a goal in the 3rd minute.

A rather innocuous looking long ball by Mossley created consternation in Skem’s defence and Michael White was half expecting Ryan McMahon to come out and clear, but when he realised he wasn’t going to make it he attempted an overhead clearance but failed and in sneaked Chris Hurst to round McMahon and drive the ball into the back of the net.

Ironically, United had had a couple of early chances themselves before they conceded.

Thomas Moore’s shot was gathered well by the keeper, and a minute later Kevin Towey’s shot was turned away by the keeper.

Credit to Skem for continuing in the same vein after the early set back.

Chris Almond was showing some blinding pace and giving Mossley some food for thought. A superb run in the 12^th minute was complimented quite magnificently with a great pass to Neil Robinson, but with his back to goal he eventually turned and shot wider than he wished.

Almond was quite prepared to try the more direct approach and forced the keeper into turning a well chosen shot wide, and his repertoire continued as he latched on to a long goal kick by McMahon, but this time although he caught the ball well, the keeper made a comfortable catch.

Neil Robinson was looking lively as well.  Sneaking in at the near post he latched on to Armstrong’s cross but headed into the keepers’ hands.

The equaliser came in the 24^th minute when Mossley failed to clear Armstrong’s long throw.  The ball fell to Kevin Towey whose initial shot was blocked en route but fortunately he took receipt of the rebound, before rounding his marker and thumping an exquisite shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Mossley’s resistance didn’t last for long as Almond’s cross found Neil Robinson at the far post who controlled the ball before thrashing the ball into the back of the net.

In the 62nd minute Chris Almond was scythed down by Daryl Weston at the edge of the area following a threatening run, and was duly sent off.

Disappointingly; United could not do anything with the resultant free kick, but Almond was determined to get himself on the score sheet at some stage of the night.

Kyle Armstrong scored United’s third in the 75^th minute with a deflected shot which looped over the keeper's head, but the celebrations were short lived as another mistake between White and McMahon resulted in Chris Hurst nipping in to reduce the arrears a minute later.

Chris Almond finally got the goal his efforts deserved in the 80^th minute.  Mossley didn’t quite clear Towey’s corner, and the ball came to Almond who turned at the edge of the six-yard box before blasting the ball beyond the keeper.

United could have had a more comfortable passage to the final whistle, but for the woodwork. Thomas Moore miss hit his initial shot, but recovered well to get a second bite at it, but this time the upright came to Mossley’s rescue. Unfortunately he twisted his ankle in the process and looks likely to be out for sometime.

This was a performance full of endeavour and passion, just like we know Skem are capable of.

Man-of-the-Match: Adam Birchall.

McMahon, Duffy, Foster, Akrigg, White, Moore (16. Wright 83) Towey, Birchall, Almond, Robinson (12. Houghton 57) Armstrong. Subs Not Used: 14. Crowder, 15. Prescott, 17. Wade.