Two games from the North Cup group took place last week with a surprise result coming from the Carlton Town v Runcorn Linnets game. We review all the action from #MatchweekTwentySix.
Key Matchup
Skelmersdale United v Ossett United
In the North Cup group, Skelmersdale United hosted Ossett United in what was the hosts final game of the campaign. After trailing in the first-half, Skelmersdale United scored an 88th minute winner to keep up their hopes of finishing in the top four and progressing to the quarter-finals.
Early on in the first-half, Skelmersdale United were seeing a lot of the ball and dominated possession. Ossett United were defending well and there was no way through for Skelmersdale United. The visitors themselves managed to create some decent chances themselves after absorbing some pressure from the home side. They managed to make one count and opened the scoring after Alex Taylor was played through and converted his one on one against the Skem United keeper.
The visitors were only ahead for 5 minutes after Skelmersdale United bounced back very well. Straight from the kick-off the #ESPFALancashire side stepped up the pressure and were looking to be a lot more direct. Calvin Haddock converted his chance before half time to erase the deficit and ensure his sides ambition of progressing to the quarter finals was still alive.
In the second half, Ossett United responded well and were seeing a lot more of the ball. They were creating chances and if it wasn’t for multiple saves from the Skelmersdale United keeper, they could’ve been ahead. They had a golden chance to snatch the three points towards the end of the match after Alex Taylor smashed his close-range effort onto the crossbar. In typical fashion, Skelmersdale United took the ball up the other end of the pitch and Will Green scored with an excellent finish from a tight angle and handed the three points to the home team.
After the game, the Ossett United academy captain and #ESPFAWestYorkshire student Harrison Cooper was disappointed to concede so late on in the game. He said: “We were playing well, we are just not scoring enough goals and right at the end there when we hit the bar that just sums up our season. They go on and score and it’s just annoying really.”
On the other hand, #ESPFALancashire student Dave Meadow was pleased with his side’s performance. He said: “I think we were brilliant today; we didn’t stop from minute one right through to the 90th and I think we played brilliant. We pinned them down and they just tried to hit us on the counterattack.”
North Cup
Carlton Town v Runcorn Linnets
In the other game played in #MatchweekTwentySeven, Carlton Town ended Runcorn Linnets perfect recorded and frustrated them with a well earned 2-2 draw. The home side got off to a brilliant start and found themselves 1-0 up after 3 minutes thanks to George Snarr. Lucas Wilson got his side level after 12 minutes but saw red just two minutes later to reduce his side down to 10 men. In the second half, Adam Moseley gave the visitors the lead for the first time in the game and they looked to be heading for a 17th win in a row until Phelix Fountain scored in the 80th minute to earn Carlton Town a point. This is the first points Runcorn Linnets have dropped all year after winning the North Division with twelve wins from twelve games. The Linnets still remain at the top of the North Cup group and will be progressing onto the quarter-finals of the competition.
Player of the Week - #MatchweekTwentySix
Well done to all the students who were nominated by their coaches for this award and also a special mention to #ESPFALancashire student Harvey Adatsi who was chosen as the #PlayerOfTheWeek after a great performance for Skelmersdale United that helped them defeat Ossett United.