Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sam Carroll

Marine and Skelmersdale United reach FA Cup first round

Ninth-tier Skelmersdale United reached the first round of the FA Cup proper on Saturday following an emphatic 4-1 away victory at Stafford Rangers.

Marine, a division above United, will also be in the draw after a late James Barrigan penalty secured a narrow 1-0 win over Conference North club Chester.

Marine and Skelmersdale could face the likes of Wigan Athletic, Hull City or Sunderland in the next round with the draw to be made on Monday evening.

United manager Paul McNally has guided his side to six victories in the competition to help them reach the first round for the first time since 1971. They have also become the first North West Counties Football League outfit to achieve the feat since 1986.

Emini Adegbenro and Lloyd Ellams gave Skelmersdale a 2-0 lead against Stafford - two divisions above the visitors - before Joe Cuff pulled one back with 12 minutes remaining.

Adegbenro then slotted home a penalty with minutes remaining as Ellams grabbed a second shortly after.

Skelmersdale could be screened live on television in the FA Cup first round as the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition while both clubs will receive £9,375 for winning this afternoon.

Victory in the first round proper would secure £22,629.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.