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Skelmersdale United FC
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1st Qualifying Round FA Cup
Runcorn FC Halton 2 Skelmersdale United 3
United were once again punching above their weight, but the thing is not a lot seems to faze them these days. (Writes Frank Hughes)
Runcorn ply their trade two levels above United, and although they are rooted to the bottom of the Unibond Premiership, you can’t take anything away from Skem, as they twice battled back from a goals deficit to win the tie and pocket the £2,250 prize money in the process. It was also an occasion when old acquaintances were renewed, as Robbie Holcroft faced his old friends for the 1st time since his summer move to Valerie Park. Ironically, Mark Andrews was making his debut in goal for Skem, and it was his contribution in the end that was deemed crucial to United’s progress.
Early indications were good, especially in the first minute, in a three-man move that started with Carl Osman. Osman played the ball to Stuart Rudd, who in turn brought Michael Douglas into play who held off the defence before setting Osman up for a shot at the edge of the box. It was a great move, but in the end Robbie Holcroft gathered the shot easily.
Straight from a long goal kick, Rudd flicked the ball onto Dee who kicked the ball first time at the target, but unfortunately Holcroft comfortably gathered it once again.
The physical nature of the game was beginning to come to the fore, and with the pitch proving difficult to play football on, United were allowing their frustrations to get the better of them. Hence the game began to open up a little for Runcorn.
A melee in the box in the 19th minute resulted in William Robertson having a go from just inside the box, it was a good effort that flew agonising close to the target, and marked the beginning of what would prove to be a difficult, but typical FA Cup tie.
The refereeing wasn’t of the highest standard, as Mr Hay would turn a blind eye to Runcorn’s niggling professional fouls, but was keen to clamp down on United’s retaliation. Brandishing Stuart Rudd & Michael Cole with yellow cards within the first 20 minutes.
The first goal came in the 27th minute, and was a direct result of losing the ball from a throw in, but when Runcorn got hold of the ball the execution was clinical. Michael Moore played a Beckhamesque ball from right wing directly over the heads of United’s ailing defence in to the path of Colin Flood who’d made his approach from the left wing, and his sweeping cross was fired into the back of the net by Tommy Taylor from six yards out. It was blatantly offside, with the assistant referee so far off the pace, he would’ve never known!
It could’ve got worse for United minutes later as Lee Furlong was allowed to break free, but a great reactionary save by debutant Mark Andrews, foiled Furlong’s shot.
Give United their due, the self-capitulation of last season has been erased from their game, as they could’ve easily allowed the pressure to get to them, but instead they carried the game forward to their opponents. Stuart Rudd flicked another long ball into Steve Dee’s path, and from 30-yards out he rifled another shot at the target, but it was directly into the hands of Robbie Holcroft.
United restored parity in the 39th minute, and once again it was a long kick by Andrews that was flicked off Stuart Rudd’s head to Michael Cole. Cole was under pressure, and at one stage looked as though he would lose his footing, but somehow he managed to stay cool and blasted the ball into the back of the net.
In the 44th minute Steve Rimmer got to Cole’s corner kick, but just as the ball looked to be dipping into the net, Robbie Holcroft appeared to get his finger tips to it, although the referee’s indication of goal kick seemed to suggest otherwise…only Robbie will know!
Once again United lost the ball through a lazy throw in and Tommy Taylor took advantage by racing clear down the right wing, before putting a cross to the far post for 18-year old Shaun Whalley to tap home. It was a disappointing end to the half, but the suggestion was United could still get something out of this game, if only they could stop being drawn in by Runcorn’s bullying.
United appeared to have successfully taken the sting out of the game in the second half, and in doing so they played in a far more relaxed and efficient manner.
Michael Cole had a shot blocked in the 63rd minute, and soon after James Potter’s deliberate handball in the box was rewarded with a penalty. He should’ve been given the red card, but given the fact that he’d only been on the pitch for 30 seconds, the referee appeared to sympathise by showing him a yellow instead. Carl Osman fired the ball home nonetheless.
Once again Tommy Taylor broke down the left wing courtesy of a United mistake, with his eventual shot being blocked by Andrews. Rudd failed to clear properly from the resultant corner kick, and the ball took a rather fortuitous ricochet from a Runcorn perspective, giving Andrews a difficult curling ball to deal with. Fortunately, Andrews made up the gap to turn the ball over the bar.
In the 76th minute Steve Dee hit a speculative drive from 25-yards out, one in which Holcroft thought was climbing high of the target, but it dipped at the last minute and struck the cross bar.
Michael Cole played the ball to Stuart Rudd who turned at the edge of the box to strike the ball wide of the target. It was a weak effort in any event, but at least United were showing intent. And it was a similar move by Rudd that sealed the tie for United. Rudd pulled a high ball down with his back to goal, holding his opponent off before dropping his shoulder, turning and drilling the ball into the back of the net.
Paul Rogers had a great chance of putting the tie well a truly beyond Runcorn, but his shot was hurried and disappointingly wide.
There was just one heart stopping moment in the 86th minute, but once again Andrews blocked the shot en route. And not even a nervous 5 minutes of injury time was going to spoil United’s day.
M.O.M. Mark Andrews
When United got down to playing football in the second half there were several contenders for the Man of the Match award. The midfield worked especially hard, with special notes of praise going to Steve Dee whom is working hard on his game, and on a better day some of his speculative efforts would’ve found the back of the net.
As well as winning crucial balls in midfield, Michael Douglas played the holding midfield game with aplomb. Michael Cole’s distribution was good, and up front Stuart Rudd was awesome.
At the back the reliable efforts of Tony Hallam & Steve Rimmer, gave Mark Andrews some blessed relief, but when called upon, Andrews was in top form. Making his debut with a group of strange players could’ve got the better of him, but Andrews didn’t allow it to and put in a sterling performance.
Frankie Says:
United missed Dave Standley, but showed they were versatile under the circumstances, and you can’t ask for more than that especially when playing a higher team. Defeat would’ve brought absolutely no shame to the boys, but with nine successive victories under their belt United don’t know what defeat is!
Team: Andrews, Price, Waugh (15. McKane) Hallam, Rimmer, Dee, Cole Douglas, Rudd, Rogers, Osman. Subs Not Used: 12. Cass 14. Wallace. 16. Noone 17. Dalton
Att: 129
Skelmersdale United are away to Bacup Borough this Thursday, kick off 7-45pm. They continue on their travels with a visit to Maine Road on Saturday, 3pm KO. Returning to the Ashley Travel Stadium on Tuesday 20th September when they will face Ramsbottom United, 7-45pm.
