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Lack of strike power is costly for Skem

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Rob McIntosh Skelmersdale United Captain (640x480)
Photo: Rob McIntosh scored the Skelmersdale goal at Halesowen

HALESOWEN TOWN 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1

By Neil Leatherbarrow

Arguably a lack of forward strength cost Skelmersdale at least a point on this trip down the West Midlands, they had more of the possession on the day and probably more of the chances but still returned home without a point to show for a good performance. The situation is not lost on manager Tommy Lawson either as he commented after the game; “I hope to sign a recognised goalscorer this week, but like everything else it depends on a few things I can’t control falling into place, the player I have in mind would certainly have made a difference today.”

It was actually off a Skelmersdale attack that Halesowen took the lead in the 14th minute. Home goalkeeper Daniel Platt leaving his box to head clear a bouncing ball, the ball was then lifted down the right-wing to Keyon Reffell, who held off a challenge and played the ball low into the penalty area, where his strike partner Aaron Daniels cleverly turned and slammed the ball high into the Skelmersdale net in the style of a forward predator.

It was the first real opportunity of the game and as the half progressed Skelmersdale took more and more of the initiative.

In the 24th minute Chris Almond put a glancing header just wide of the far post, then on 32 minutes, youngster Jack Phillips at the far post and headed into the arms of keeper Platt.

Halesowen were always threatening on the counterattack, but it was Skelmersdale who continued to press and in the five minutes before the break they went very close. Kenny Strickland saw one effort blocked then he volleyed the rebound only to find Platt diving to push the ball for a corner. Platt held tightly onto a Tom Ince free-kick and finally Phillips drilled in a shot that was only kept out by a deflection and Platt’s quick reactions.

Halesowen started well after the interval and Martin Fearon saved from substitute Isaac Cooper, but then Skelmersdale returned to the offensive. Alan Burton’s shot was saved at the second attempt then Ince found the net but was given offside. In the 62nd and 64th minutes Louis Corrigan was very unlucky, initially the crossbar thwarting him before Platt made another superb a save from a particularly vicious effort.

Halesowen made it two on 71 minutes. A tidy exchange of passes on the right put Reece Hales on the run across the face of the eighteen yard line and in truth he wasn’t closed down quickly enough, the result a shot across Fearon into the far corner. In many ways it was cruel as Skelmersdale certainly didn’t deserve to be two goals down on the balance of play.

Skem continued to press and eventually on 87 minutes a corner was played short to the Corrigan by Strickland who was given the ball back, he crossed and Rob McIntosh flicked a header beyond Platt into the corner of the goal.

Skelmersdale pressed throughout added time, but Halesowen hung on. Maybe if the goal had arrived ten minutes sooner it would have been a different story.

 

HALESOWEN TOWN: Platt, Connolly, Griffiths (Cooper, 45), Denny ©, Elvins, Lewis, Charlton, Bragoli, Reffell (Gueyes, 81), Daniels (Waite, 74), Hales Subs (not used) Morrison, Sargeant

 

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Fearon, Fernandes, Holden (Corrigan, 58), McIntosh ©, Rendell, Burton, Phillips, Strickland, Almond, Kinsella (Donaldson, 75), Ince Subs (not used) Staunton-Turner, Mooney, Hardwick

 

Referee: Richard Watson (Cannock)

 

Attendance: 303

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