Skelmersdale United went top of the league after victory over Clitheroe

Apr 16 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

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SKELMERSDALE UNITED climbed to top spot of UniBond First Division North with a comprehensive win over Clitheroe.

With four games to play and a two point advantage over Durham City, the title is now in their hands.

Skem started the Easter Monday encounter well, with Aaron Turner and Mark Houghton both having good chances in the opening minutes, but Turner shot directly into the Clitheroe keeper’s hands while Houghton’s was snatched wide.

Both players should have done better, and were almost made to pay just two minutes later when Ryan McMahon spilt an easy catch.

The ball fell kindly to Ryan Fisher who blasted his effort goal-ward, only to see Michael White block the ball on the line.

Ollie McGee followed it up for what looked like a certain goal, but somehow White – who was still trying to get up off the floor – managed to stretch his left leg out to turn the ball around the post.

Skem then saw several chances go begging before they finally found the opening goal just after the half-hour.

Shaun Foster looked to be heading all the way for glory when he ran from the halfway line, but instead he exchanged a swift one-two with Adam Birchall before firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net from an extremely acute angle.

Skem almost doubled their lead early in the second half following a melee in the box when Kevin Towey’s cross wasn’t cleared fully.

But Birchall’s shot was pushed off the line by the keeper and Aaron Turner’s follow-up was parried away.

Craig Sargeson could have equalised in the 73rd minute but that would have been undeserved as the player pulled Michael White back to steal a march, and he watched as the ball flew wide of the upright.

Towey almost scored again from a free kick in the 77th minute but once again the keeper had to make a fingertip save.

But Towey got his reward in four minutes later by getting on the end of Aaron Turner’s pass to send a low shot past the keeper, in off the upright and over the line.

Four minutes from time, Mark Houghton was brought down in the box by Ryan Fisher.

The referee pointed straight to the spot and White stepped up and duly converted the penalty to complete the win and wrap up the fully-merited three points.

Skem even had chances to add to their goals late on but Houghton saw his effort smothered away while a Steve Akrigg header flashed past the Clitheroe upright.

Man of the Match: Mark Houghton.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: McMahon, Foster, Crowder (12. Duffy 71) Akrigg, White, Turner, Towey (14. Wade 83) Birchall, Houghton, Almond, Armstrong. Subs Not Used: 15. Prescott, 16. Morrison, 17. Walker.