Skem v Clitheroe Match Report -- Skelmersdale United FC

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Subject: Skem v Clitheroe Match Report

Author:
Frank

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Date Posted: 05:55:09 10/16/03 Thu

Tuesday 14th October 2003.

Skelmersdale United 1 Clitheroe 3.

United tumbled to a 3-0 half time deficit despite having the lion�s share of possession, and although they put in a spirited second half performance, they�d been left with a climb the size of Pendle Hill.

Sloppy defending proved the most instrumental reason for this latest setback, with 2 of the 3 goals coming from a total lack of discipline at the back. The first in the tenth minute was converted via a header from Andy Cowking following John Paul Fagan�s free kick. But a question mark was left looming as to Skem�s interpretation of when they should switch on. The free kick was fed to the far post, but United�s anticipation was poor as Andy Cowking sailed through a gap of Mersey Estuary proportions, to head the ball beyond the reach of Holcroft.

The second error came just before half time making it 3-0, in what transpired to be even less forgiving circumstances. United failed to clear what appeared to be an unassuming forward ball, but Lee Cryer had different ideas, racing through a lame defence to drive the ball past the outstretched Robbie Holcroft.

Sandwiched in between the two mistakes came an inexplicable refereeing decision by Mr Mort. Following a Neil Spencer shot that Holcroft did well to save, the ref pulled back play for a free kick, and JP Fagan placed a fabulous Beckhamesque 30-yarder into the top corner of the net. The question left puzzling the disgruntled players & supporters was; had Mr Mort not already played the advantage? It certainly seemed to be the case, as there was a gaping delay before he brought play back to award the free kick.

United had a couple of 1st half chances themselves. Stuart Rudd�s glancing header struck the crossbar in the 13th minute, following a Michael Cole corner. And on the stroke of half time, Dave Dugdale�s 20-yarder flashed a foot or so high of the crossbar.

United came out to a 2nd half with little to lose and played some attractive football, sadly most of the play was of the one dimensional variety, with United attacking down the right flank. Invariably most of those attacks were comfortably contained by an organised Clitheroe defence. The last 15 minutes witnessed more ingenuity following the arrival of Ian Warrilow and it was his 78th minute goal that threatened a revival. Stuart Rudd�s cross-found the head of Warrilow and the back of the net.

Cole & Rudd had half efforts in the closing stages, but Clitheroe always looked good for all three points.

Teams:

Skelmersdale United: Holcroft, Evans, McKane, Standley, Brownrigg, Cole, Morton, Tobin, Rudd, Dugdale Osman (Warrilow, 75) Subs not used: Price & Hanson.

Clitheroe: Richens, Gardner, Clarke, Cowking, Sculpher, Fagan, Whittingham (Hart, 63) Stanfield, Cryer (McDonald, 65) Spencer, Parkinson. Sub not used: Stewart.

Goals: Cowking, 10. Fagan, 27. Cryer, 38. Warrilow, 78.

Website Man of the Match.

Michael Cole.

Ran all over the pitch, and tried his hardest to get us back into a contest we�d clearly already lost.

The Final Word.

It was never going to be an easy game against the might of league leaders Clitheroe, but in fairness the only thing that set the two teams apart, was the fact that Clitheroe were more organised and far more disciplined in defence. We have to learn to concentrate at crucial stages of the game. You can�t afford to let the mind wander, especially if you respect the team you are playing, otherwise you end up getting caught.

We played extremely well in various stages of the game, but I think we rely far too heavily on Stuart to bag the goals. Unfortunately nobody�s providing him with the ammunition, and for a great deal of this game Stuart was running all over the place to get himself into the frame, when he�s best left inside the box or nearby to tease the defence.

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