Grantham travelled to Skelmersdale for the seasons opening game and came away with a well-deserved point and could and possibly should have taken all three.

On a hot sunny afternoon Grantham playing in their new all yellow away kit conceded 2 early corners with Skelmersdale Robert Bodie miskicking when well placed. Grantham settled and although Skelmersdale enjoyed more of the ball in the first half it was Grantham who created the better chances with Grant Ryan through on goal after 11 minutes but his shot went wide of the target. Skelmersdale took the lead on 18 minutes with their only shot on target in the first half when Ben Hodgkinson’s strike from the edge of the box took a deflection which took the ball wide of Jake Turners dive. Grantham continued to create the best of the chances with Danny Meadows forcing an excellent save from Skelmersdale keeper Martin Fearon before Rhys Lewis’s overhead kick following a corner hit the bar and in the final minute of the half Grant Ryan saw his fierce shot come back of the bar with Fearon beaten.

Grantham stepped up a gear in the second half and took the game to the home side. Skelmersdale were restricted to counter attacks which were easily dealt with by the Grantham defence. Grantham introduced Ben Saunders for Grant Ryan on the hour. Jake Turner was brought into action to save well at his near post after Skelmersdale striker Chris Almond’s shot took a deflection off Galinski. Grantham had a great chance to draw level on 65 minutes when Ben Saunders turned Skelmersdale defender Bodie in the box and was brought down earning the defender a yellow card. Danny Meadows took the penalty but Fearon guessed right and got down well to block the kick. Grantham brought on Curtis Burrows for Luke Shaw on 70 minutes. Grantham continued to push forward for the equaliser. Ellis Storey saw his drive well saved by Fearon at the expense of a corner on 71 minutes and Lee Shaw had a shot blocked by a defender on 72 minutes. The goal Grantham deserved finally came on 73 minutes. Skelmersdale only partially cleared the ball and when it was played back in Curtis burrows timed his run perfectly to get behind the defence and fire past Fearon. Grantham continued to push for a winner but couldn’t find a second goal and the game ended all square.

Attendance 203

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