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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Skelmersdale United (21.03.08)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 0 Skelmersdale United 4

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Irongate

Friday 21st March 2008

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge fell to their third defeat in the last four games, as League leaders Skelmersdale United came out on top of this promotion ‘six-pointer’ with a fine 4-0 victory at the wet and windy Irongate. Following an evenly contested first-half, ‘Skem’ emphasised their promotion credentials with a scintillating performance after the break; even though they had been reduced to ten men just prior the interval, when striker George Donnelly had been shown the red card for kicking out at full-back Stuart Beech. In truth, Brig were out fought and out played by a side who are clearly on top of their game.

Brig were determined to get back on track following the disappointing defeat at home to Rossendale United three days earlier and were keen to avenge the 0-4 mauling that they had suffered against ‘Skem’ at the Ashley Travel Stadium on New Years Day. League ’top dogs’ Skelmersdale United, were also looking for a return to winning ways following a single goal defeat at home to fellow promotion chasing rivals Bradford Park Avenue at the weekend.

Irongate boss Phil Entwistle made three changes to the side that had started against Rossendale United on Tuesday night. Stephen Brown was brought back into midfield with Stuart Beech dropping back into defence to replace the injured Glenn Steel. Mark Edmeads was brought in to the midfield replacing Danny Mahoney who picked up a knock against Rossendale during the week. Neil Spencer was preferred to Dave Eaton in the front line with Eaton taking his place on the bench. United were without the influential Anthony Murt who was serving a suspension.

On a wild and windy afternoon Brig opened matters on the offensive but ‘Skem’ replied with some inventive play. Mike O’Donnell fired narrowly over for the visitors following a neat build-up down the left on 7 minutes.

However, the league leaders were not having things all their own way. Brown and Spencer linked up well down the right to set up Ryan Salmon, but Brig’s leading scorer was quickly closed down by two eager defenders as he lined-up to shoot.

United should have taken the lead on 15 minutes when Donnelly shot over from a good position as both sides worked hard at finding an opening.

‘Skem’ goalkeeper Ryan McMahon then pulled off two brilliant saves to keep out the home side, when first, he stopped an effort by Edmeads with a reaction-save at point-blank range following a pin-point Porter cross, and then seconds later kept the ball out with an outstretched arm following a Porter half-volley.

Brig were enjoying a purple patch and Salmon was not too far off the mark with a header following another excellent Porter cross on 35 minutes.

However, the visitors got their noses in front four minutes later with a quality strike by PAUL PRESCOTT who rounded Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick on the corner of the penalty box following an astute through-ball by Aaron Turner which had caught the home defence completely square.

‘Skem’ were reduced to ten men just before the half-time whistle when Donnelly kicked out at Stuart Beech following an innocuous tackle.

As was expected, Brig came out in a determined mood after the break and immediately went in search of an equaliser. ‘Skem’ were penned back in their own half for a while and both Porter and Martin Crowder came close with efforts which skinned the crossbar. Salmon then went close, on the hour mark, from a Porter cross, before the home side began to lose their momentum.

The visitors looked menacing on the break and went further ahead on 70 minutes when substitute SEAN McCONVILLE beat the off-side trap following a superb defence splitting through-ball by Adam Birchall. He remained composed and drew McCormick from his line before dispatching the ball home comfortably past the former ’Skem’ goalkeeper.

The home team just simply fell apart as the marauding visitors exposed all their defensive frailties and fully emphasised the gulf in class between the sides.

Kyle Wilson came very close with a drive following a Mike O’Donnell corner with the Brig defence looking anything but confident and it was little surprise when the league leaders added two more goals in the final minutes of the game.

After Wilson had worked his way down the right bye-line on 86 minutes, BIRCHALL tucked home the resultant cross with ease with the Brig back-line at sixes and sevens. Two minutes later it was 4-0 when Birchall turned provider with a well executed through-ball which was finished off by McCONVILLE for his second of the game.

Brig left the field a well beaten side and Phil Entwistle will be far from happy with his team who have now conceded eight goals in their last two home games.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Beech (Ince 45mins), Crowder, Fleming , Tong, Bowen, Brown, Eadmeads, Salmon, Spencer (Eaton 69mins), Porter. Unused subs: Glover

Goals: -

H-T: 0 - 1

Attendance: 327

Sponsors Man of the Match: -