THE ROLLERCOASTER that is Lancaster City's season took another turn upwards on Tuesday night when they triumphed over Skelmersdale in a thrilling match.

A barn-storming strike from Aaron Helliwell helped Lancaster City to all three points in an excellent win. Helliwell's 30-yard bullet came in between goals from Paul Osborne and Dominic Ward.

There were star performances all over the pitch as City avenged their early season 5-2 thrashing at Giant Axe and notched up a valuable victory in the promotion race.

The only downside were injuries to Paul Haddow and Mark Jackson.
Lancaster lined up in a 4-5-1 formation and the central midfield trio of Haddow, Ward and Danny Mahoney were excellent. Before he was replaced by Sean Paterson, Jackson led the line superbly, chasing everything and harassing the defenders.

Paul Osborne put City in front just before the break with a well placed shot. Tom Entwisle, Haddow's replacement, linked up well with the excellent Lenny Reid before laying it off to Osborne on the edge of the box to score.

Reid looked back to full fitness and back to his best down the right, particularly in the second half where he increasingly found space and consistently beat his full-back.

The home side were level just after half-time when Thomas Moore converted a penalty in style after Chris Almond was adjudged to have been brought down in the box.

Both sides tried to play open free-flowing football, and it was a close and action-packed game.

However, City worked harder and when Helliwell grabbed the goal of his career, they were deservedly in front.

Loitering in between halfway and the penalty area from a corner, Helliwell found the ball cleared to him along the deck. He attacked it with confidence and rifled a left-foot shot straight into the top corner.

A magnificent strike.

City certainly rode their luck at times. The home side hit the bar twice and Neil Beesley made a great reflex save at 1-1 that was to prove crucial. Already going the wrong way, the big keeper twisted his body and punched the ball to safety.

But when Ward rose highest to head home from a corner with 12 minutes left, City had all three points in the bag.

They looked like a completely different side from the one that had only managed one win since Christmas, no doubt they will be hoping to maintain this form through to the end of the season.

Lancaster City (1) 3
Osborne 44, Helliwell 66, Ward 78

UniBond Division One North

Courtesy of Lancaster Guardian Newspaper