Skem United have won their first piece of silverware in nine years after clinching the Lancashire Co Op Trophy

Apr 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

Skem United have won their first piece of silverware in nine years after clinching the Lancashire Co Op Trophy

UNITED won their first trophy in nine years with a pulsating performance at the County Ground in Leyland, writes Frank Hughes.

Skelmersdale had to win the Lancashire Co-Op Challenge Trophy the hard way with the win coming in extra time, but it was nothing less than they deserved.

Radcliffe proved to be stubbornly resistant with a very defensive approach to the game, indeed the game looked to be heading for the lottery of penalties until Mark Houghton snatched the winner in the 117th minute.

They say the first cup is the hardest one to win, and if that’s anything to go by then Tommy Lawson’s fledglings will go on to win many more trophies.

United started the game in an electrifying manner and almost took the lead as early as the 2nd minute when Martin Crowder’s 25-yard free kick had to be turned wide of the upright by Phil Priestley.

They continued to see a great deal of the ball but they didn’t create any clear cut chances again until the 20th minute.

Martin Crowder’s cross found Steve Akrigg at the far post who headed the ball across the face of goal for Kevin Towey who was poaching at the other stick, but unfortunately he headed over from close range when he really should’ve scored.

Towey turned provider five minutes later when he laid off an inviting pass to Neil Robinson, but his shot was blocked en route.

Two minutes later Skem took a deserved lead.

Shaun Foster took a speculative swing from 25-yards out and the shot was diverted wide. From the resultant corner Michael White’s bullet header sneaked in between the left back and the centre half to find the back of the net. Neil Robinson’s well timed through ball a minute later found Dale Wright, but his shot was turned around the post.

Radcliffe got back on terms in the 29th minute as they caught Skem on the break, with Steve Howson converting a move which Gary Sampson started.

Almost from the restart Mark Houghton raced clear, only to see the keeper get back to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

The opportunities continued to come thick and fast for Skem in the first half.

Radcliffe started the second half a bit more brightly. Adam Roscoe’s shot from distance was marginally wide, and when Gary Sampson broke free in the 51st minute, he looked odds-on to score but thankfully for Skem his shot went miserably wide

Dale Wright’s free-kick was blocked in the 55th minute, and Steve Akrigg’s follow up went wide.

Skem didn’t seem to be having the rub of the green and that thought was further enhanced when Kevin Towey’s effort in the 63rd minute whizzed marginally high and wide of the angle.