Match Report

Cheadle Town 1

Carpenter 26

FC United of Manchester 5

Orr 45 (+1), 66, 87
Patterson 64
Carden 84

Attendance: 2,200

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FC United of Manchester took part in their first ever cup match on Monday night. Cheadle Town were the hosts and after a good bit of uncertainty regarding date and venue for this North West Counties League Challenge Cup tie the small army of United supporters assembled in the Tameside Stadium in Ashton-under-Lyne to see the next chapter unfold in the astonishing first season of the fledgling outfit.

Manager Marginson enjoyed the pleasure of selecting an unchanged starting line-up for the first time this season. Steve Torpey remains sidelined with the hamstring strain picked up in the Oldham Town match; likewise Scott Holt is still resting the thigh problem that has hampered him since early season. The competition regulations allow for a fortified bench with 3 substitutes allowed from 5 named. Margy elected to give the fit again Paul Mitten and newly signed goalkeeping back-up Phil Melville their first involvements in competitive football with United.

A strong sense of deja-vu came over me as I took my seat in the main stand, Curzon Ashton’s new home was obviously fashioned from the same drawings as Northwich Victoria’s new ground, where United were hosted by Winsford and Ashton Town a couple of months ago. It’s a neat little set-up with open terraces behind each goal, a large covered terrace on one side and a good sized main stand on the other. The ground seemed more than able to cater for the 2,200 stated capacity for this match whilst the new pitch was looking a little sorry in places, particularly along the touchline on the main stand side.

Both sides started brightly with Cheadle harrying their opponents all over the pitch not allowing any of the United boys to settle in possession. Through this tactic the home side managed to dominate the midfield areas for periods during the first half with Steve Spencer and Simon Carden both struggling to make much impression. United did create opportunities, on 5 minutes an Elvin freekick was headed clear to Darren Lyons who struck a first time shot at goal that Whittle did well to parry. Whittle would have been very happy to see Rory Patterson squander a golden chance as he looped the rebound up over the bar from a very good position.

One minute later and Lyons again was in the right place to attempt to exploit a poor defensive header. This time it had been McCartney who had delivered the ball into the area and the loose ball was driven just over the bar this time from some 25 yards. The first Cheadle Town attack of note saw Andy Lindon shooting from distance after nice build up play on the left wing. Barrie George looked decidedly uncomfortable as the drive dipped and swerved before finally just scraping off of the top of the crossbar. I think Barrie would have dealt with the shot had it been lower but it was a signal to all present that Cheadle weren’t looking to just make up the numbers.

On 11 minutes and Joz Mitten was inches from getting the opener. Another nice ball from Elvin found Rory Patterson who got in behind the Cheadle right back, the United 10 squared the ball back across goal and Joz just failed to connect as he slid in at the far post.

Lindon then squandered the best opportunity that either team had fashioned to that point as he somehow managed to head a terrific cross, delivered by David Carpenter from the left wing, down into the ground only to see it then bounce up and over the bar. This all from less than 6 yards out.

The Cheadle Town 11, Carpenter, then opened the scoring himself with an outstanding solo effort. A quick on-two exchanged 5 yards outside of the FC United area left 2 defenders for dead. Carpenter then drove forwards into the area evading a Chadwick tackle as he made ground. George now advanced to narrow the angle as McCartney desperately tried to intervene. Carpenter kept his composure well and slipped the ball past George just as McCartney threatened to stop his progress. A really good run, dribble and finish giving Cheadle a worthy lead. 1-0.

United reacted well to falling behind and threatened a quick reply as Orr, Patterson and Mitten all had efforts. The home keeper and the whole of his backline were dealing well with the pressure being heaped onto them and Cheadle looked to have weathered the storm as half-time approached. Adie Orr was correctly cautioned for a challenge which was both fractionally late and high. The United lad was quick to redeem himself though as he made an altogether more positive contribution some 90 seconds into time added on. Again Elvin delivered a quality ball in from right-back, Joz did what Joz does and nodded it down. At this point, from my vantage point, Adie looked about 3rd favourite to reach the knockdown. The ball fell between 2 defenders who looked to converge but Adie was quickest and managed to stab the ball past Whittle from about 8 yards out. 1-1. Cue celebrations on the terraces, joy on the pitch and probably huge relief from the bench. There was barely time for Town to restart before the referee whistled to signal half-time. Potentially a huge psychological blow dealt to Cheadle and a big plus for Margy making his half-time team talk a lot easier than it might otherwise have been.

FC United started well in the second half but it took nearly 20 minutes before they scored again to take the lead. Joz did see a header clip off of the crossbar after a corner had been flicked on at the near post after only 10 minutes. Orr and Patterson were linking well and Carden had a snapshot saved but nothing clear cut was created until a free kick was awarded to the visitors near to the left touchline some 35 yards from goal. Darren Lyons took the kick right-footed with a bit of inswing. Rory Patterson timed his run well and ran across the path of the ball and attempted to divert it beyond Whittle. Rory insists that he got a nick as he ducked his head towards the ball. It must have been the slightest of touches because the ball’s trajectory did not seem to alter. Anyway, it bounced about 6 yards from goal and skipped over Whittle and into the net. Patterson wheeled away in celebration and was lauded by the masses whilst another celebration took place on the near side of the pitch as Lyons was congratulated by several team-mates who also probably thought it to be his goal. 1-2.

The third goal was quick in arriving as Patterson was again involved. This time he lobbed a speculative pass inside, from wide left, that Orr was quick to pursue. Adie watched the ball all the way onto his foot and calmly side-footed home beyond Whittle who had started to advance before realising, too late, that he couldn’t get there. The volleyed ball tricked agonisingly slowly goalwards before nestling into the net just inside the right hand post. 1-3.

On 70 minutes Cheadle might have clawed one back as Aaron Riley beat the FC United offside trap. Barrie George was equal to the challenge though as he just got fingertips to the Cheadle youngster’s drive diverting beyond the near, right-hand, post.

With less than 15 minutes remaining Margy used his final 2 substitutes bringing on Tony Cullen and Paul Mitten who joined Mark Rawlinson who had also joined from the bench a few minutes earlier. Spencer, Patterson and Lyons were the players making way for the new arrivals. Paul Mitten made an immediate impact and was centrally involved in both of the final 2 goals. The ex-Manchester United trainee has waited a while to make his debut but it was worth the wait. A super 15 minute cameo appearance which leaves Karl Marginson with another selection option that may prove difficult to resist.

The fourth goal, on 84 minutes, was, in many ways, the best of the night. A long ball was played out of defence, it looked to be a lost cause but Paul Mitten latched onto it and kept it in play out wide on the right. He glanced up before pulling back an inviting cross to the supporting Carden who lashed the ball into the net on the half-volley from just inside the area. A clinical finish and a lovely pass to set it up. 1-4.

The final goal, fittingly, was scored by Adie Orr. This completed United’s first victory in a cup match and registered the club’s first ever hat-trick. Another top drawer finish for this one too. Mitten lobbed a pass forward for Adie to run in behind the Cheadle right-back. Whittle again was tempted to advance from his goal-line but Adie was always going to arrive first. There seemed little danger as the ball fell to Adie just outside of the left corner of the area but he had obviously noticed that Whittle had moved off of his line. With some aplomb Orr gently lobbed the ball over Whittle with his left foot and again watched as it slowly, inexorably bounced toward the net. A couple of Cheadle defenders looked to intercept but the deft volley from Orr had just enough power to beat them to the goal-line. 1-5.

There seems little doubt to me that the result was a fair reflection of the match although the scoreline was probably a bit harsh on Cheadle who contributed fully to an entertaining cup tie. Adie Orr was my man of the match but others were under serious consideration until his final goal. Gareth Ormes had another solid outing as did Kev Elvin, Darren Lyons delivered some really high quality crosses and corners as we are coming to expect from him. Paul Mitten was exceptional in his brief outing too.

The second round sees the introduction of the ‘big boys’ to the NWCL Challenge Cup as the division one teams enter the competition. FC United will now play Colne next month which will be eagerly anticipated by all as the boys in red will have their first opportunity to pit their wits against opposition from the next level above. Colne are flying high and, but for a 6 point deduction, would be second in the division. It will be a great chance for Margy to see how his squad matches up with a side that we would all hope to see playing against United in the league next season.

Wayne Clark