Premier Division
Skegness United 4 Louth Town Reserves 1
United went into the match looking to maintain their top position in the table. Missing from the side was Kurt Crossley unavailable and Jordan Walden having a run out with the second eleven.
The first action of any note came on 5 minutes when Ryan O’Loughlin had a shot from outside the area which just cleared the crossbar. On 18 minutes Louth had the ball in the net, however the player was clearly in an off-side position. The first 20 minutes of the game was mainly played in the midfield which neither keeper called into action, although the majority of the play was in the Louth half of the field. Then on 25 minutes Jason Keal released Michael Howard down the United right, who outpaced the defender to the bye line. He then sent over a low cross which was met at the far post by Kyle McGuigan who knocked the ball home from closed range pass keeper Ben Smith. On 30 minutes United scored their second with a build up which was similar to the first. O’Loughlin released Keal down the right whose cross was powerfully headed pass Smith by Michael Howard. The next chance game on 38 minutes when a passing move from back to front resulted in McGuigan laying the ball off to Luke Rayner-Mistry whose shot lacked power and was safely gathered by Smith. Then McGuigan had a good shot tipped over by Smith. Three minutes before half-time a short corner taken by O’Loughlin to Rayner-Mistry was put into the box and clearance fell to Jamie Skinner on the edge of the area and his shot found the corner of the net pass Smith. Louth first real chance on goal came from Alex Carter whose shot was saved low down by Ben Martin.
Within five minutes of the restart O’Loughlin had two shots which both where well over the bar. Then Rayner-Mistry had a run on goal, however his shot was wide of the mark. Within minutes Howard had a half-chance, but Smith brought off a smart save. On 55 minutes Ross Muirhead played the ball over the Louth defence for Rayner-Mistry to run on to and he was brought down in the area by Bailey. From the resulting penalty Smith made a good low save to keep out Sean Chamberlain’s spot kick. Louth were trying to make a game of it and had a far share of the ball in the midfield, however they lacked penetration in the last third of the pitch. On 70 minutes Louth had their best chance of the half when Carter ran onto a through ball, however is shot was wide of the goal. On 78 minutes McGuigan was put through, but Smith was quickly of his line to smoother the shot. Then McGuigan had a snap shot from 35 yards which was only inches pass the post. On 83 minutes a ball into Ryan O’Loughlin who turned the defender and slotted the ball pass Smith from 15 yards. This goal kept up O’Loughlin’s record of scoring in every match this season. In the final seconds Louth got on the score sheet which their overall play deserved when United failed to clear a corner and Danny Marshall scored from close range pass Martin.
Team: Ben Martin, Jason Keal, Ben Drysdale, Ross Muirhead, Jamie Skinner, Sean Chamberlain ( Sam Sleight ), Arron Scutt, Kyle McGuigan, Michael Howard ( Herbie Nicholls ), Ryan O’Loughlin and Luke Rayner-Mistry.
On Tuesday 16th October United travel to Boston United Res with a 7.45pm kick off.
Next Saturday 20th October United entertain Gainsborough Town in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup at Wainfleet Road with a 2.30pm kick-off. The winners take on Boston United Res in March.