Garforth Town 3 - Skelmersdale 6

6.12.2008

A high scoring game packed filled to the brim with talking points, goals, free flowing football and Skelmersdale diving saw the Miner’s score three times and lose to an in-form outfit who inflicted a 10-0 spanking on table topping Bamber Bridge midweek.

Garforth new boy Graham Marchant nearly found the net in the fourth minute with a header that Skelmersdale goalkeeper Ryan McMahon did well to save. Shane’s illegitimate brother may well have changed the course of the game with that move, as the visiting Scouse-mancs immediately scored in an excellent counter attack, Mark Houghton converting at the climax of the move.

Houghton repeated the trick on 13 minutes, giving the Skem a strong foothold on what was an even game up to this point, with both sides mounting an offence. Unfortunately, a suspicious tumble in the Town box led to Sean McConville expertly firing a penalty home to further increase Skem’s lead.

The moment of the match occurred in the 27th minute when George Donnelly blasted a surprise half-volley that caught the Town defence and keeper unawares, and almost tore the net from twenty-five yards. Fair play George.

Oliver Hotchkiss, in his last home game for the club, fired a speculative swerving chest and volley effort from the right wing that McMahon was equal to. However, Town were in luck when an attempt on goal was helpfully steered past Vince’s kid by Skelmersdale defender Michael White. As Cooper said on the PA, ‘Cheers Skelmersdale’.

The second half began perfectly; 47th minute, Andy Rowan released, turn, boom, save, goal bound, Duncan Williams, theft of goal, tap in, 4-2. Game on.

It almost got better; substitute Greg Kelly showed his worth in outpacing several Skelmersdale midfielders before exchanging passes with Hayward and heading for goal. What followed was interesting – Greg was tripped by the last man, thus rendered unable to score. Red card? Erm…. no. What can I say?

Five minutes later, Greg was hurtling goalwards again… tripped by what was by and large the last defender. Red card? Erm… no. What can I say?

Garforth moods were hardly improved when a questionable free kick was converted on the hour mark by Martin Crowder.

The subsequent twenty minutes saw Duncan claim a second – a placed finish after a high ball into the Skelmersdale box – several dives and a heated situation down by the dug outs resulting from a fair, legal tackle on McConville, and an outrageous penalty that the aforementioned Macca justly blasted wide.

With the game all but gone, Garforth conceded to Donnelly again, who cut in from the left and found the bottom right corner. Shortly after, Kelly was released and rounded McMahon, but was unable to find an angle from which he was comfortable shooting from and the ball was overrun.

Soon after the whistle was blown on what was an entertaining, goal-ridden game, with some great football from Skelmersdale but some questionable tactics and decisions also. Garforth were unlucky to leave the park with the disproportionate deficit, although it must be conceded they encountered a very capable, title chasing side.