Alsager Town 6-1 Skelmersdale United
Alsager Town welcomed NWCFL First Division North side Skelmersdale United to Wood Park for a mid-season friendly.
Skelmersdale currently sit rock bottom of their league table, earning just five points from 27 matches, while the Bullets are just outside the First Division South play-offs.
First half
Alsager started the match well and opened the scoring after 15 minutes through a penalty. Dylan Woods went down in the box and despite appeals from the opposition manager, the spot kick was awarded. The Skelmersdale goalkeeper dived the right way, but Tom Johnson’s penalty was well taken, landing in the bottom right corner of the net.
It was not long before Skelmersdale equalised. Their right back struck the ball towards the bottom left corner and it collided with the woodwork, but the centre forward was alert and finished the attacking move with a tap in to make it 1-1.
Skelmersdale began to have more control in the game and had a couple of chances to go in front, but Alsager soon gained momentum and were sending the ball into dangerous areas. They took the lead for a second time when Jamie Walker drilled a low cross to Sam Oko, who was able to score from close range.
Alsager scored a third goal on the stroke of half time and what a goal it was! Adam Hampshire blasted the ball from distance and it went over the goalkeeper’s head and landed in the roof of the net.
Half time: Alsager Town 3-1 Skelmersdale United
Second half
Skelmersdale should have reduced the two-goal deficit not long after half time. Their substitute forward was denied from close range and Alsager’s goalkeeper made another good save moments later to keep the home side comfortably ahead.
After that, Alsager dominated possession and were the only team who looked like scoring, however Skelmersdale were defending well.
The Bullets thought they had scored their fourth goal when a save from a free kick only saw the ball travel as far as Dillon Kirkman who beat the keeper, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
They did get their fourth goal when Johnson beat his defender and played the ball to Kirkman who scored to the keeper’s right.
It was Kirkman who scored again to put Alsager 5-1 ahead. A well-aimed drilled cross met the clinical forward and he kept his composure and put the game beyond doubt.
Alsager scored a sixth goal with only a few minutes remaining. A poor corner was sent into the box which struck the first defender, however he gave the ball straight to Walker who made no mistake with his finish.
Full time: Alsager Town 6-1 Skelmersdale United
Alsager News analysis
Alsager’s high squad turnover this season has been less than ideal and has clearly caused the club a number of problems. Despite looking likely to secure promotion for most of the season, the Bullets now face a tough task if they are to even make the play-offs.
Saturday’s performance, however, will have been a positive experience for Matty Russell’s men. The Bullets were the far superior side against a team who have been struggling throughout a dismal campaign.
Skelmersdale attempted to play the ball out from the back against Alsager, but the strategy failed to bear fruit as it was the home side who dominated the game.
As well as this, the Blueboys were poor in one-on-one situations out wide. Alsager’s wingers continuously chose to go around the outside of the defender and this caused the visitors all sorts of problems, because it allowed the Bullets to play a number of dangerous low crosses.
Skelmersdale managed to stay in the game for a while, but in the end it became a training exercise for the Bullets.
Alsager’s next fixture is in the league on March 1. They will face relegation scrappers Allscott Heath away from home.
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