Cammell Laird lose out to Skelmersdale United in tight league encounter

Jan 26 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Cammell Laird0

Skem United2

CAMMELL Laird’s Kirklands enclosure is not the ideal hunting ground for Tommy Lawson’s Skelmersdale.

Behind the “bus sheds” in Rock Ferry, the ground is tight and the pitch surface after the winter weather was dead and energy sapping, a place for the artisan rather than the artist.

The quick-passing, fleet-of-foot Skelmersdale side would not have chosen the ground; they would not have chosen the opposition, either. Laird work hard and make it difficult for the visitors, though, they are not a dirty team.

It was no wonder boss Lawson was pleased with his players’ performance: “They showed spirit and commitment, but most all they rolled up their sleeves and made sure they got the points. They proved they were up for the battle,” were his post-match comments.

Back in November, Skelmersdale had won 8-0 against Laird’s at the Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, a scoreline that was never on in this game.

However, United set about their task well in the opening 10 minutes generating a succession of corners, that were dealt with efficiently by the home defence.

In the 12th minute, a wonderful passing move opened up the home defence.

Lee Parle and Karl O’Donnell combined in the middle of the park and the ball was then slipped down the inside left channel. Chris Almond hared off after it, and as home keeper Phil Palethorpe left his line, the Skem frontman skilfully dinked the ball over him and into the net.

Gradually, Laird’s got themselves into the game and from the half-hour mark they began to match Skelmersdale territorially. By the interval, United keeper Tom Brocklehurst had been tested twice.

The second-half, for the most part, was actually quite a dour affair. Both teams were high on endeavour, but arguably low on finesse and it was Steve Akrigg and Burke that kept Skem solid at the back, while Parle never stopping running all afternoon in the engine room.

In the last quarter-hour Lawson’s men gradually got their control back and much of the play was concentrated in the Laird’s half of the pitch.

O’Donnell had worked diligently for the United cause and as he naturally tired, he was replaced by the fresh legs of Kevin Towey in the 66th minute. It made a difference and freshened Skelmersdale up.

The substitute put one wide in the 72nd minute, then had a header saved.

In the 85th minute, both teams went close. First, a Towey header was kept out by Palethorpe. Then Brocklehurst made a quality save to deny Henders.

The last moments were tense, especially as over five minutes added time elapsed. Towey carried the ball forward, Ryan Wade and Paul Woolcott held the line and didn’t wander offside, Towey put Woolcott in, Palethorpe left his line and Woolcott finished sweetly to confirm the destiny of the points.