It was just another game at White Moss Park as Skelmersdale United faced Guinness Exports in the FA Amateur Cup. It was the 5th time the club had entered the competition and the fourth time they had met the Aughton based side.
United had reached the First Round the previous two seasons, going out to Spennymoor (1964) and Alvechurch (1965), Non of the 300 or so crowd expected either team to progress much further in the Cup.

Skelmersdale United v Guinness Exports
“Old boy” Alan sets United on path to Victory

“With a solo dribble, crowned with a 25 yard shot which screamed into the back of the net, former Guinness winger Alan Mansley, sunk his old club. Helped by a further snap-shot goal from wing half Dave Moorcroft “the blues” fought their way through the White Moss Park mud bath-although their victory had nothing of the quality of Mansley’s great goal. Skelmersdale who boasted five former Guinness players in their ranks, just deserved to stay on the money spinning Wembley trail, by virtue of a tremendous defensive display. Centre half Ritchie Wade, left back Colin Bridge, who is playing better than ever, and right half John Unsworth were giants in action, as Guinness threw everything into a second half rally when they almost monopolised play.
The first goal came after 17 minutes, when Mansley, who had a great game, moved through the entire visitors defence before unleashing a thunderbolt shot which cannoned into the net. Moorcroft’s goal came after 37 minutes, when he hit a 30 yard shot which entered the net just inside the upright.
United side that lined up, Crosbie, Bridge, Unsworth, Wade, Moorcroft, Bermingham, Worswick, Clarke, Burns and Reader.”

It was the only game of United's Amateur Cup exploits that Wally Bennett would miss.
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....and when the draw was made for the next round, even few supporters could envisage further progress, a tie against 10 time winners Bishop Auckland

With the Amateur Cup tie against Bishop Auckland in waiting, Wesley Bridge resigned from his position as secretary and Manager Charlie Jones “Given his cards”. Replaced by former captain of the club Bernard Banks, along with Liverpool centre forward Ian St John, who was brought in to help with the fitness side of training. On Christmas Eve United signed winger Norman Whitehead, who had previously been with Everton and Bury.