Tomorrow we welcome Skelmersdale United to the Kensite Stadium as Micheal Clegg’s men look to get Monday’s loss to Ramsbottom United out of their system. Skem currently sit second bottom of the Evostik West Division, above bottom club Clitheroe on goal difference. It is very early to be looking at the table and despite an opening day home 0-4 loss to Leek Town, they were considered unlucky to come away from Kendal empty handed a few days later.
Colls fans will recall two memorable away games at Skem last season, the first being our first ever game in the Integro Cup, a competition which we went on to win. This tie will be best remembered for two beautiful first half goals by Iain Howard, putting the Colls firmly in the driving seat and silencing the rather vociferous “banter” emanating from the clubhouse. The scoring was completed as Krissy Holt danced through the Skem defence in the second half to put the Colls 0-3 up and out of sight. This turned out to be our final trip to the Uretek Stadium following its controversial seizure. As part of the wider football family, we wish them all the best on that front.
Our league clash was played at Prescot Cables’ Volair Park and was memorable for the wrong reasons. The game quickly turned sour as Skem skipper Liam Hollett and Neil Chappell making a return to the Colls were both red carded for a coming together which despite numerous viewings we are unable to clearly describe exactly what happened. Certainly no one in the ground could recall two players receiving straight red cards for the same challenge. Colls were soon down 9 men as Darrhyl Mason managed to talk himself into a second yellow card in the first half, in what was his last appearance for the club. Gamely Colls stood firm to keep the game scoreless as our fortunes started to turn in the league.
Our home game in November was a less controversial affair, although Jamie Forbes himself attracted a red card for two bookable offences! Skem took an early lead through Andy Owens and Micheal Clegg rung the changes as early as the 27th minute with Sebastian Julian and Jordan Cover being introduced for Chris Lynch and Jake Kenny. A late Ben Hardcastle equaliser ensured the spoils were shared at a rainy Kensite Stadium. Whether Jordan Cover will start tomorrow or again be introduced from the bench is the big question on Colls fans minds.
How The League Was Won Pt 2
April 30, 2019
A freezing Harry Williams Stadium on New Year’s Day 2019 saw Colls make a real statement of intent, facing a Ramsbottom side in the middle
