League

Skelmersdale Stadium
Spectators: 6690 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1690, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Jasper Bowland made the kick off which started today's match. The supporters of Skelmersdale booed when Soho was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Charlie Hurdle didn't get a good kick on the ball. Skelmersdale's Richie Stevens couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 4th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Soho. Keiran Avery showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Grant Radcliffe, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. In the 18th match minute, Skelmersdale was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pete Flack to maneuver through the defense. Matthew Reid sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 23rd minute, Grant Radcliffe made a precise shot to the right of Keiran Avery. Skelmersdale's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. If Jasper Bowland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Skelmersdale's Byron Dolby got a good chance for a goal in the 30th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Jasper Bowland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 33rd minute Jasper Bowland shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Les Best saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Shane Lane's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Les Best read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 38th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Soho's zone, Jasper Bowland stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Les Best came out of the goal and Jasper Bowland tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 43 minutes into the game, Tommy Dransfield was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Skelmersdale's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Soho the free kick. Keiran Avery came out of the goal in the 44th minute to try and stop a shot by Soho's Matthew Reid. But to his dismay, Matthew Reid quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. 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 Grant Radcliffe to strike the kick off in the second half. Darren Shipley's late challenge caught a Skelmersdale's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Darren Shipley helped the player get up and apologised. In the 53rd minute, one of Soho:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Soho. In the 63rd minute Skelmersdale were awarded a corner. Richie Stevens went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner ended in Richie Stevens almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Soho's Les Best did a great save. A hard shot 67 in the game by Matthew Reid from a close distance when the talented Keiran Avery managed to make a qualified save. Skelmersdale's players were relieved. Jasper Bowland fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Les Best having to interfere. In the 79th minute, Pete Flack hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jasper Bowland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Grant Radcliffe 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. If Shane Lane had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Shane Lane came up free with the goalie in the 95th minute, the Skelmersdale fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Shane Lane couldn't finish the play. The Skelmersdale supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Soho's performance. The match ended with a win for Soho.