SATURDAY 18^th AUGUST 2007.

 

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1

 

(WRITES FRANK HUGHES)

 

A great advert for Unibond Football, as two teams were both prepared to get dirty in monsoon like weather.

 

The expectation for Bradford to produce the goods this season is huge when you consider the investment that has been put in, and for 82 minutes you would have to say the pressure was mounting, but given the amount of luck they had; and championship favourites need it if they are going to win titles…you would have to say they are definitely contenders on this basis.

 

For all their hard work, United came away with nothing, but this time last season Bradford would’ve torn Skem apart.  Not now and United must be considered as contenders themselves.  They are gritty and determined in all departments and that is an exciting prospect for the future.

 

John Cass fed a fine ball through to Tony Evans in the 7^th minute and with his back to goal he turned swiftly before delivering a terrific shot only to see Jon Worsnop pull off a fine save.

 

A great run by David Eaton in the 35^th minute was complimented well with an equally fine cross to the near post and Tony Evans who was looking menacing, but the defender did well to block his eventual shot.

 

It was end to end stuff in the first half, the only thing missing was penetration in the final third of the field, but nevertheless it was pulsating viewing.

 

Michael Duffy made a terrible mistake three minutes into the second half when he needlessly upended Adam Morning, but thankfully Tom Baker’s spot kick grazed the upright before ricocheting to safety

 

United took the lead in the 51^st minute when David Eaton’s cross was poorly cleared by the Bradford defence and fell kindly to Tony Evans who slotted the ball home from close range.

 

Two minutes later Eaton found John Cass completely unmarked following a great run, but from a great position Cass’ shot was deflected wide of the upright.

 

Craig Noone got himself much more into the game the further on it went and was causing numerous problems for the PA defence.  Following a great run in the 57^th minute, he played the ball through to Tony Evans whose shot was blocked then turned into touch.  From the resultant corner John Cass’ shot was blocked at the far post.

 

David Eaton’s cross in the 63^rd minute found the head of Steven Akrigg, but his shot sailed agonisingly high of the target.

 

With just eight minutes to go Skem were about to find out how cruel football can be.  First of all Kevin Sanasy evaded United’s defence before striking a slow shot from 20-yards out that sailed into the bottom right hand corner of the net, but just when they thought three points had slipped to one, four minutes into injury time they ended up with absolutely nought.

 

From a 20-yard free kick Adam Morning forced a good save out of Ryan McMahon which resulted in a corner.  Morning’s corner was flicked on at the near post by Liam Flynn and hit the inside of the upright before deflecting off Craig Noone and bouncing over the line, hence giving Bradford a victory against the run of play.

 

M.O.M. Steven Akrigg.

 

Skem had many nominees for the man of the match, with David Eaton, Tony Evans, Aaron Turner and Michael White all pushing Akkers close, but when we talk about endeavour this man puts more than his fair share of effort in…and then some!

 

Ryan McMahon, Michael Duffy, Tom Hardwick, Steven Akrigg, Michael White, Phil Holland, John Cass, Aaron Turner, David Eaton, Tony Evans, Craig Noone. Subs Not Used: 12. Sean McConville, 14. George Donnelly, 15. Shaun Foster.