SATURDAY 25th AUGUST 2007.
SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 GARFORTH TOWN 2
(WRITES FRANK HUGHES)
United showed bags of character to fight back twice and grab all three points,
but it was nothing less than their performance deserved.
United started well. In the 6th
minute Michael White was only inches away from heading home a Craig Noone free kick at the far post. However, Garforth
went on to take the lead in the 8th minute when Michael Duffy misjudged a long
ball and Mark Piper sneaked in behind him to slot the ball home.
Adam Birchall spurned a glorious opportunity in the 12th
minute following a great through ball by Aaron Turner.
Michael
White threatened again via another Noone free
kick. He managed to get his head to it,
however this time it was straight into the keepers’ hands.
United drew level minutes into the second half. Michael White forever the nuisance finally got
the goal his efforts deserved when he headed home after a scramble in the box.
United
continued to dominate the game but once again Garforth
took the lead when Michael Duffy brought Sheriffe
down in the box, and Duncan Williams converted the spot kick.
Skem responded three minutes later. Sean McConville’s shot was charged down by the keeper and
slotted home by David Eaton at close range.
Steve Akrigg’s header hit the crossbar in the 73rd
minute; once again it was via a great free kick by Craig Noone. Indeed Noone forced
a save out of the keeper himself soon after.
Craig Noone’s crossing was eventually going to prove
crucial as he managed to hoist another ball over to the far post. Steve Akrigg headed
the ball back into the danger area and the bounce fell kindly to Georgie Donnelly who simply turned his marker before
drilling the ball into the back of the net.
Donnelly
had a chance to make the scoreline look a little more
convincing as the game went into injury time.
Craig Noone’s shot was charged down by the
keeper before falling kindly to Donnelly who in turn blazed his shot high of
the target when it looked easier to score.
STARMAN: ADAM BIRCHALL
RATING 3/5
Team: McMahon, Duffy, Hardwick, Akrigg, White,