FC maintain 3rd place by beating Skelmersdale + HIGHLIGHTS

FC United kept within three points of league leaders Chorley by romping to a 3-1 victory at promotion rivals Skelmersdale United on Saturday afternoon with goals from Jerome Wright, Tom Greaves and Liam Brownhill.

The Reds’ ninth consecutive league victory means we remain in third place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, one point behind Worksop with a game in hand, and three points behind Chorley, who we entertain at Gigg Lane in three weeks.

United took the lead on 25 minutes when a superb ball from Callum Byrne found Wright who took a speculative first time volley from the left edge of the penalty area that went straight through Zach Hibbert on his near post and into the net. It was a bit of a howler from the former FC United goalkeeper but it put the Reds 1-0.

A tense game ensured and Skelmersdale pressed for an equaliser throughout the second half but, eventually, in the 77th minute, the Reds doubled the lead. A great cross field ball found Wright, he beat his man and crossed from right on the by-line where he found the head of Greaves who finished with style for 2-0.

With just nine minutes left, the home side gave themselves a lifeline when a cross from the left was headed by Dean Astbury. Goalkeeper David Carnell saved the initial effort but the rebound was pounced on by Ashley Dunn, who side footed in.

Thankfully, the Reds held their nerve to wrap up all three points with five minutes to go. Wright went on a run from deep and was fouled but the referee played the advantage as Mike Norton held the ball up before slipping in Liam Brownhill. The fullback ran into the box and drilled a shot into the far corner, off the post and into the net for 3-1.

FC United had started the quickest of the two teams, making the best of the difficult pitch conditions with Tom Davies heading a corner just wide and a great move involving Greaves and Wright with the latter’s cross finding Norton who fired his shot straight at Hibbert.

Skelmersdale did have a chance with the dangerous Astbury firing just wide on 23 minutes but two minutes later, the Reds took the lead.

Right on the half-time whistle, the home side almost pulled level when Mark Jackson was sent clear and hit the outside of the post with his shot, the ball going wide. From the goal-kick, Ashley Dunn was played clear but he found Carnell was equal to his shot, saving well with his feet.

Five minutes after the restart, a cross found its way to Matthew Wolfenden who saw his shot saved by Hibbert. Two minutes later, Byrne saw his shot well saved by Hibbert with the rebound being bundled over the bar.

It was great performance from FC United on a difficult wet pitch, they stuck at their task for the whole game and were worthy winners.

Website man of the match: Again a few contenders but for the sheer yards he covered and vital challenges made Dean Stott walk away with this week’s award.

Report by Steven Wood