Skelmersdale United 2, Gateshead 2 (Skem win 4-2 on pens)

Mar 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

IT TOOK the lottery of penalties to divide two excellent sides, but it will be Skelmersdale United who will face Eastwood Town in the UniBond League Challenge Cup final.

Skem got to off to a great start when Chris Almond lobbed the ball over the keeper in the sixth minute courtesy of Prescott’s superb pass over Gateshead’s defence.

United forced the pace but were reduced to half chances, and but for Ryan McMahon Skem could’ve been made to pay for the lack of precision. Paul Brayson’s terrific volley just inside the box was turned to safety by United’s number one.

McMahon couldn’t do anything about Gateshead’s equaliser which came in the 64th minute. Armstrong headed home at the far post following an excellent cross.

Almond’s goal was disallowed as he lobbed the keeper and sent the ball into the back of the net. It looked like a perfectly good goal, but the linesman thought otherwise as he flagged Almond offside.

Two minutes into extra-time Southern’s cross to the near post was tucked away by the other substitute Jamie Harwood.

United looked tired at that point, but somehow found the reserves to carry on.

Paul Prescott’s shot was blocked en route in the 112th minute but wasn’t cleared very well, and he eventually took receipt of the ball again only to be hacked down in the penalty area. Georgie Donnelly converted the spot-kick. Donnelly was sent off seconds later as he retaliated after being butted by Curtis.

The game was eventually decided on penalties, but Skem couldn’t have got off to a worse start as Hardwick aimed his kick straight at the keeper.

There was nothing wrong with the rest of them though, and it was a typical fairytale ending as man of the match, keeper McMahon, took the penalty to decide the tie and put Skem into next month’s final.

SKELMERSDALE: McMahon, Foster, Hardwick, Akgrigg, Duffy, Holland, Birchall, Turner (Kelly 59) Prescott, Donnelly, Almond. Subs: Leadbetter, Lowe.

ATT: 259.