Latest scores although not the Axe
Bamber Bridge 3 Warrington 3 Trafford 1 Halifax 2 And from the Axe, silence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that was abysmal. The positives would be 2 goals scored (good headed goal from Rushton after 3 mins, and Dodgeson penalty), another penalty missed, and other chances. However it doesn't matter how much of a threat the likes of Dodgeson, Rushton, Fildes, and Foster may carry if you can't defend! The defending was reminiscent of Newcastle at their worst, or Derby last year. Just all over the place, massive gaps in the back 4, no composure, no challenges. Really the back 4 as a unit, and the team as a whole failed so it would be wrong to focus too much on individuals but... Why is Paul Rigby ahead of Neil Uberschar in the right-back queue? Neil Marshall needs to calm down, focus, and learn his trade properly as a full-back. Guy Heffernan would be in my side in midfield, but I wouldn't have him anywhere near centre-half ever again. What does Michael Stringfellow do for 90 minutes? To be fair to Skem, they are good going forward, very quick, and should be there or thereabouts this season like last.

every1 needs to hold there hands up and take some blame. our tactics were wrong why did we use 2 midgets up front and play the long ball ? instead of playin football up to the 4wards.stringy and wardy are too much alike we need a type of deano playing with some bite.as 4 the back 4 there was know leader there. te lads wernt thinking making to many rash tackle leading to free kicks. the score could of been 5 - 8 to skem at the end and each team been down to 9 players if there was a fussy ref . roll on sat just hope we get a centre half b4 then .

Couldn't make it tonight, but if its a similar (or improved) Skem team to last season, then we shouldn't get too down as they were very very good last season.

Team was the same as Saturday with 3 Substitutes used in the second half. Helliwell for Ward, Uberschar for Rigby and Jackson for Dodgson. They had a goal disallowed early on then Rushton opened the scoring for us with a good header. Foster then hit their post with another good header and if that had gone in things might have been different. They equelised when their winger beat Marshall for pace and failed to put a challenge in. They then took the lead from a free kick that Thornley was nowhere near. After that they could have added more before half time but Lancaster also played some good football and Rushton came close twice. The second half started badly with them scoring after some quick passing and they then had a one on one with Mark which he saved. We then got a penalty taken by Fildes which was saved and then he kept the rebound out as well but within a minute we were awarded another penalty which Dodgson placed in the corner. We were back in it but not for long as Skem added another 2. We were poor in the second half and not threat after Dodgson was substituted. Only Greenwood had a reasonable game in the back four but saying that the midfield gave them little protection. If you are playing with 2 wide men you expect to be over run in midfield but we did look good going forward in the first half. Skelmersdale did look a good side with quick forwards so we may not be as exposed against other teams. We do need a good centre half to play along side Greenwood though before Saturday. If we can stop leaking goals we may have a good season

I can't understand why we have the same back four as last season, where we conceded 70 goals and gave Skem 5 goals twice. It's no good looking good going forward if we can't defend when the time comes. I agree we need a centre half alongside Greenwood, or even two and play Greenwood at right back because Rigby isn't the answer. Alternatively, play Ubes at full back. Either way this needs to be addressed urgently if we are to post a realistic challenge for promotion this season.

Seeing as Skem are one of the favourites for the title, I would say the playoffs would be a realistic aim for us this season...considering we improve defensively. 7 goals conceeded in 2 games isnt exactly promotion material...and we're lucky it was only 5 last night. Im thinking maybe Enty should get a run out in centre of midfield seeing on how well he played there last season.

It seems to be an unwritten law that we have to conceed 5 goals everytime against Skem.......

Tis the price the devil demanded when I sold my soul for Rock 'n' Roll! :cry:

I thought Wolfie was at fault for their first two. The first, Marshall was pushing him wide,if Mark had stayed at home,who knows? I bet he wouldnt want to play another 451 games if his defence played like that every week!!! The back four,Greenwood apart were dismal,but they got no protection...who was the holding midfielder in last night's line up?.... Scott should be starting right back (though that does leave us needing two center halves!),failing that Ubes should replace Riggers. Banging on the same old drum,the front three that we have are all short,yet we play the ball to them in the air all the time, we need a big man up front,another option. Thought Rushton played very well,and Dodgson was coming more & more into it, what a good penalty he took,why didnt he take the first one?Foster & Fildes worked hard for no reward. Still,five goals,five different scorers must be good?.....if only we could even look like keeping a clean sheet!