Skelmersdale
Spectators: 6730 (Terracing: 5000,
Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 0) Rowan Pye-Finch made a fantastic save in the 3rd minute, when Matt Turner sent off a good shot on target. 7 minutes into the match, Skelmersdale City's goal looked a bit too open when Josh Hartley came free, but Darius Strongman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jo Knightley hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Stoke Lodge Rovers's William Haylock got a free kick in the 12th minute. A collision led to Skelmersdale City getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. Jude Wells hit a great ball. Darius Strongman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gary Brook in the 15th minute of the match. Ron Rusby took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 19th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Darius Strongman. Skelmersdale City's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. 24 minutes into the match, Gary Brook had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Darius Strongman. Skelmersdale City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gary Brook was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. When Josh Hartley fell near the penalty area in the 32nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Stoke Lodge Rovers's protests and gave Josh Hartley a yellow card for diving instead. Josh Hartley kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. William Haylock's late challenge caught a Skelmersdale City's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. William Haylock helped the player get up and apologised. After 35 played minutes Stoke Lodge Rovers got a freekick which was hit by William Haylock. Gary Brook sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 40th minute William Haylock shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Darius Strongman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 41 minutes into the game, William Haylock cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-2. Darius Strongman was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. If Gary Brook had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.
The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Gary Brook to strike the kick off in the second half. Darius Strongman stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Gary Brook's shot from short distance in the 53rd minute. After 54 played minutes Skelmersdale City got a freekick which was hit by Jeffrey Dumpleton. 55 minutes into the game, Gary Brook recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Darius Strongman. Gary Brook showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-3. Darius Strongman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gary Brook, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jeremy Swallow charged in rather forcefully in the 60th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jeremy Swallow the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 60 played minutes Skelmersdale City got a freekick which was hit by Jeremy Swallow. In the 61st minute Gary Brook shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Darius Strongman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The crowd rose to their feet as Stoke Lodge Rovers's Gary Brook slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Darius Strongman. That made the score 0-4 after 63 minutes of play. Skelmersdale City's Darius Strongman proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 68th minute of the match, managed to save Skelmersdale City from getting a goal against them. 69 minutes into the match, Gary Brook had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Darius Strongman. Skelmersdale City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gary Brook was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-5. In the 74th minute Teddy Bowden shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rowan Pye-Finch saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Teddy Bowden in the 75th minute of play forced Stoke Lodge Rovers's goalkeeper Rowan Pye-Finch to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Stoke Lodge Rovers's zone, Teddy Bowden stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rowan Pye-Finch came out of the goal and Teddy Bowden tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a defensive mix-up in Skelmersdale City's zone, Gary Brook stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Darius Strongman came out of the goal and Gary Brook tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. William Haylock recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 87th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Stoke Lodge Rovers's Geoff Steed got a free kick in the 91st minute. Matt Turner received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 93rd minute. Rowan Pye-Finch tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Stoke Lodge Rovers's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.
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