ALL SQUARE AT THE JMO
Skelmersdale United 0-0 Macclesfield

It was all square at the JMO on Saturday as the top 2 teams in the North West Counties League fought out a thrilling encounter, 937 supporters saw no goals but plenty of action.

Macc spurred on by former Premier League midfielder Neil Danns, who was pulling all the strings had the better of the early exchanges, It was United who had the first serious effort Danny Mitchley flashed effort across goal evading the wrong side of the post
As United got more into the game, youngster Abdul Djalo took the mantle, forcing his side forward at every opportunity with some telling passes and some timely tackles.

Tom Croughan could have put United ahead with a drive from 25 yards, with former Skem keeper Sam Ashton gathering comfortably. The visitors replied with an audacious chip from Danns that had Barnes back peddling to tip over.
Both managers will have been pleased with the first half performance, the large crowd producing a thrilling atmosphere worthy of the best two teams in the Division.

Again the Silkmen pilled on the pressure Lloyd Berry stingin the hands of Ben Barnes but the Skem defence led by a commanding performance from Player of the Month Joe Herbert held firm.
It was nip and tuck as the teams looked for the 1 goal that would have been the winner, ping pong in the United box was eventually cleared by Alex Griffiths before
Skem sub-Joe Nicholson saw his shot just graze the outside of the post on 70 mins

In the closing minutes both sides were going for a win, it would have been unjust if either side had lost, as the ref blew there was relief from both sets of supporters, the right result from an enticing afternoons football

United Manger Paul McNally said after the game, “the game could have gone either way, no one gained any ground, we look forward to our visit to the Moss Rose in January”

United team Barnes, Davies, Griffiths, Herbert, Grogan, Strickland, Sheen, Mitchley, Djalo, Howard Subs Nicholson, Servuts Unused Hilditch, Towey, Conteh