United defeated by Cleethorpes side once again

Supplementary Cup

Skegness United 1

Skegness United were beaten by Cleethorpes Town’s Development Squad for the second week running.

Following last week’s 3-0 defeat at home, United hit the road for Supplementary Cup action.

However, the Group A contest was a dead rubber, with Cleethorpes already into the knockout rounds and Skegness unable to qualify.

United played some of their best football of the season, but their failure to convert chances, with the hosts taking theirs, saw Cleethorpes claim victory.

The first strike on goal came from Tom Pickett after two minutes, but it was straight at home keeper Thomas Cooke.

For the first 15 minutes of the game United were in control and little was seen of the home side as an attacking force.

The next shot was from Jamie Wolstenholme, which was saved low down by Thomas Cooke.

Following a good passing movement by United, George Hobbins could not get a good connection on his shot and the chance went.

United thought they had taken the lead when a shot by Harry Ginniff was pushed away by Cooke and Wolstenholme knocked the rebound home.

However, he was adjudged to have been in an off side position.

On 24 minutes the home side had their first sight of goal.

Following a corner the United blocked a number of shots before the ball was finally cleared.

A minute later, from a Jake Portas free kick, Corey Cunliffe headed just over the bar.

The next goalmouth action came on 34 minutes when Travis Portas brought off a good save to prevent Cleethorpes opening their account.

With the half drawing to a close Portas had to be at his best to stop United going behind.

Within a minute of the re-start the home side had a long range shot which was easily saved by Portas.

On 60 minutes United had a great chance of going one up when Hobbins played Wolstenholme in, but Cooke blocked the effort.

An excellent ball into the home area by Kyle Howitt was only inches away from Ginniff.

It was the turn of Cleethorpes to come close to scoring when Portas tipped a free kick over the bar.

On 67 minutes the home side opened the scoring from the experienced Jack Barlow, when he was found on the right and placed his shot wide of Portas into the far corner.

Five minutes later Cleethorpes went 2-0 up when United failed to clear their lines and Gary Nimmo scored from 10 yards out.

In the course of five minutes the home side had turned the game around by taking two of their chances.

On 73 minutes Cooke produced a good save from a Hobbins free kick to prevent United quickly getting back into the game.

On 80 minutes, Wolstenholme was played though and with only Cooke to beat again he hit his legs has he came of his line.

United got themselves back into the game on 85 minutes when Wolstenholme knocked the ball home from close range after the home defence failed to clear.

At this point United felt they could get something from the game, but with time running out poor defensive work by United allowed Jammal Shahin to shoot beyond Portas.

United had played some of the best football of the season and, at times, dominated mid-field.

However, if they had converted a number of their chances the scoreline would have been different.

Man of Match: George Hobbins.