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After an up and down pre season, Skem Athletic Ladies were all fired up for their first game in the

Womens Lancashire FA County League Division One. After being promoted last year having narrowly

missed out on the Division Two title to Bolton, dropping only 4 points all season, they were

desperate to prove once again, that they were a force to be reckoned with. Their preparation had

been tough, with several key players missing due to injury and last years star player moving

overseas for 12 months. With several new signings though, they were confident of a strong start toDivision One life. Their first game was at home, which was no longer the caged arena of JMO but the

home of Skelmersdale United FC at The West Lancs College Stadium, it was just another stepping

stone in this small town ladies teams progress. The date was September 8th

and their opponents

were Southport Shoreline formerly Birkdale Ladies, a team they were already familiar with having

beaten them 1-0 in a summer tournament. Both teams were confident as they set themselves up on

the pitch. Now with Skems club captain Kelly Corser sidelined through injury, it was vice captain

Natalie Walsh who had the job of leading the team. Things started well as Skem won the toss, and

giving the privilege of kick off to the away side. Referee Ian Storey waited for both teams to settle,

and on the stroke of 2pm the game commenced. Shooting left to right Skem could not of started any

better as they were out of the blocks with a point to prove. Inside 90 seconds Skems new signing

Abi Hart won the ball in midfield and slid a beautiful pass through to last year s golden boot winnerOlivia Cardwell, the outcome was inevitable as Cardwell went one on one with Shorelines keeper, 1 -

0 Skem. Shoreline were shell shocked, and set about applying pressure on Skems back line by

hoisting long balls into Skems half. The central defensive pairing of Skems Walsh and Valentine

were on hand though to pick up any loose balls. Although Skem were struggling to create any clear

cut chances they looked comfortable in possession and were dominating the play. Suddenly though,

the ball broke down the right as Shoreline took advantage of a poor throw and lofted a ball deep to

Skems back post were Skems stand in right back Olivia Weedall was waiting, but a breakdown in

communication and hesitation from Skems keeper gave Shoreline a free header to equalise 1 -1. The

first half continued in the same vane with Skem looking by far the stronger side, but as the half time

whistle went, they couldnt help but think they shouldve been ahead. Skem made one half time

change with new signing Amy Fox making her league debut for the team, she slotted in down theright side of midfield with some great footwork and interlinking well with Weedall and Hart. Skem

however, were soon to rue their missed chances as the ball broke down the left and found its way

into the box, a failure to get rid of it resulted in Shoreline taking the lead with a goal that could of so

easily been avoided. 2-1 to Shoreline, it wasnt long before Skem once again made life very difficult

for themselves as a simple clearance from goalkeeper Robyn Carter went straight to the oncoming

players of Shoreline, quickly getting the ball out of their feet, Shorelines attack found the back of

the Skem goal. 3-1 Shoreline, the score line did nothing but disguise a great performance from Skem

whos players had worked and fought tirelessly throughout only to become victims of some simple

errors. And no player more so than central midfielder Becca De Gier, who started out Skem life as a

forward, but manager Mark Ashton spotted a hole in midfield that required someone with an engine

for running and a tenacity like no other, and in Becca you have just that. She was outstanding fromwhistle to whistle, and as she turned and twisted and created havoc around Shorelines box, she

won Skem a free kick about 25 yards out. Up stepped Cardwell who since putting Skem ahead had

been unusually quiet by her own standards, she crisply curled the ball over the Shoreline wall and

into the back of the net 3-2. Skem were now full steam ahead and looking favourites to go on and

take the 3 points. On 75 minutes Skems Weedall had to be withdrawn due to complaints of

sickness, on came Laura Marsh to slot in at right back. It wasnt long before Marsh started a move

off that found its way beautifully down the right after some great interplay from Hart and Lynott.

Right midfielder Abbey Lynott thundered down the right and put in a ball worthy of the Premier

League, it was met by the diving head of Cardwell who was seeking a hat-rick, and as Skems fans

and players alike gasped, it went narrowly wide. This was not to be the dream start they had

imagined. And as the final whistle went, there was a deathly silence around the ground. Skem had

outplayed Shoreline for most of the game and had come away 3-2 losers. A valiant effort from all,

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and some very positive signs for the season ahead. The Woman Of The Match was awarded

unanimously to De Gier for an outstanding display.