FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

Match Report

17th December 2011

EvoStik League Premier Division

Marstons Arena, Wincham Lane, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6GB


Northwich Victoria

2 - 1

FC United of Manchester

Kearney 68
Budrys 78
  Norton 90
Attendance: 1,114

Northwich Victoria 2

Kearney 68
Budrys 78

FC United of Manchester 1

Norton 90

Attendance: 1,114


Northwich Victoria

1 B Hinchliffe
2 J Disney
3 L Short
4 D Collins
5 I Kearney (capt)
6 T Field
7 R Wade
8 K Armstrong
9 C Budrys
10 J Johnson
11 N Woolfe
Subs:

12 W Riley (for 7, 61 mins)
14 M Clarke (for 9, 90 mins)
15 L Horne (for 3, 87 mins)

FC United of Manchester

1 James Spencer
2 Kyle Jacobs (capt)
3 Lee Neville
4 Nick Platt
5 Adam Jones
6 Dean Stott
7 Carlos Roca
8 Jake Cottrell
9 Mike Norton
10 Daniel Grimshaw
11 Astley Mulholland

Subs.
12 Stephen Johnson (for 10, 70 mins)
14 Matthew Wolfenden (for 11, 56 mins)
17 Ben Deegan (for 7, 79 mins)


Match Report
An late Michael Norton goal proved to be nothing but a consolation as FC United lost 2-1 at Northwich Victoria on Saturday afternoon.

United, with everyone except Greg Stones up for selection, were looking to take away their first points from the Victoria Stadium, on this their third visit to Northwich. At times, it looked as though the Reds deserved at least a point from the encounter, however could only muster one Mike Norton consolation in the final minutes, in reply to two Northwich strikes earlier in the second half.

The condition of the pitch, surrounded by debris of cleared-away snow, left a lot to be desired, however both teams coped well with the surface conditions, making for an entertaining encounter on an icy-cold Saturday afternoon.

Norton exercised good close control early on, bringing down a long ball and cutting inside before squaring to Nick Platt. Unfortunately, no final ball materialised. United’s lone striker then played a clever ball through to Kyle Jacobs, however the fullback ran into a cul-de-sac in the Northwich area and again no end product could be mustered.

In a bout of action at the Vics’ goal mouth, Carlos Roca almost set up an opener, playing a dangerous ball across the face of goal, forcing the keeper into action at the far post. Immediately following, captain Ian Kearney tested his own keeper, sending a defensive header from Jake Cottrell’s cross in the direction of Ben Hinchliffe who had to be alert ensure the ball went round the post.

Kearney then found himself in a similar position at the opposite end of the park, rising to meet an incoming corner and aiming just wide with a free header.

Chris Budrys provided the best chance of the half for Northwich, meeting a well-placed cross from the right-hand side with a strong point-blank header which James Spencer did excellently to deny, changing direction at the last second and hooking the ball away one-handed.

Two different styles of play were evident, as United always looked to play the passing game and build using the wings, whilst Northwich were content to settle for the long ball.

As the second half began, FC straightaway had defending to do, and were being forced to sit deep in order to clear their lines. United seemed to be lacking any passing momentum, and were struggling to keep possession as the Vics attacked.

The Reds were then forced into a change ten minutes into the half as Astley Mulholland struggled to shake off a knock from an earlier challenge and was replaced by the fresh legs of Matthew Wolfenden.

Good play through the United substitute and Daniel Grimshaw saw the ball played through to Roca who struck well, forcing Hinchliffe down to save.

His opposite number then pulled off a fine stop against his former side, parrying the ball around the post from a controversial free kick 25 yards away from goal.

The tempo of the game was lively, made more so by a good atmosphere as the home fans ‘drummed’ up support and United as ever sung relentlessly from the terrace, unaided by instrumental accompaniment; both sets of fans urging their respective sides to find a way through to the all-important opening goal.

With just over 20 minutes remaining the deadlock was finally broken, and regrettably, this went the way of Northwich. A dubious free kick was awarded on the left-hand side and was sent in for a glancing header at the near post across Spencer and into the far bottom corner. United were giving away too many free kicks around the area, playing to Northwich’s strengths as their main threat always looked to be through set pieces.

Going behind seemed to spur the Reds into action, and were building in and around the area. With a little bit of fortune on their side, United perhaps could have summoned up an equaliser, but the final ball was never quite there.

Frustratingly, instead of setting the game level, United conceded once more and it was through all of their own making. Lack of cover in the right fullback position, combined with FC losing possession, meant that Budrys had acres of space to run into, giving Spencer no chance in a one-on-one situation.

Norton gave United hope with only a minute remaining, turning on the edge of the area and slotting the ball in the gap between the keeper and the post to pull a goal back. Unfortunately, this proved to be too little too late as Northwich managed to play out the remaining few minutes to claim all three points.

Disappointing as it is to end a lengthy unbeaten run in the league, the way United played showed sure signs of promise and had they managed to keep up their passing momentum throughout the entire game, the final outcome may have been different. The Reds now enjoy a break over Christmas, before welcoming Ashton United to Gigg Lane on Boxing Day in the final game of 2011.

Website Man of the Match: Mike Norton – held his own as the lone frontman and did a lot of work off the ball to get into good positions, also scored the only United goal of the game.

Report by Victoria Fullen
Match Report
An late Michael Norton goal proved to be nothing but a consolation as FC United lost 2-1 at Northwich Victoria on Saturday afternoon.

United, with everyone except Greg Stones up for selection, were looking to take away their first points from the Victoria Stadium, on this their third visit to Northwich. At times, it looked as though the Reds deserved at least a point from the encounter, however could only muster one Mike Norton consolation in the final minutes, in reply to two Northwich strikes earlier in the second half.

The condition of the pitch, surrounded by debris of cleared-away snow, left a lot to be desired, however both teams coped well with the surface conditions, making for an entertaining encounter on an icy-cold Saturday afternoon.

Norton exercised good close control early on, bringing down a long ball and cutting inside before squaring to Nick Platt. Unfortunately, no final ball materialised. United’s lone striker then played a clever ball through to Kyle Jacobs, however the fullback ran into a cul-de-sac in the Northwich area and again no end product could be mustered.

In a bout of action at the Vics’ goal mouth, Carlos Roca almost set up an opener, playing a dangerous ball across the face of goal, forcing the keeper into action at the far post. Immediately following, captain Ian Kearney tested his own keeper, sending a defensive header from Jake Cottrell’s cross in the direction of Ben Hinchliffe who had to be alert ensure the ball went round the post.

Kearney then found himself in a similar position at the opposite end of the park, rising to meet an incoming corner and aiming just wide with a free header.

Chris Budrys provided the best chance of the half for Northwich, meeting a well-placed cross from the right-hand side with a strong point-blank header which James Spencer did excellently to deny, changing direction at the last second and hooking the ball away one-handed.

Two different styles of play were evident, as United always looked to play the passing game and build using the wings, whilst Northwich were content to settle for the long ball.

As the second half began, FC straightaway had defending to do, and were being forced to sit deep in order to clear their lines. United seemed to be lacking any passing momentum, and were struggling to keep possession as the Vics attacked.

The Reds were then forced into a change ten minutes into the half as Astley Mulholland struggled to shake off a knock from an earlier challenge and was replaced by the fresh legs of Matthew Wolfenden.

Good play through the United substitute and Daniel Grimshaw saw the ball played through to Roca who struck well, forcing Hinchliffe down to save.

His opposite number then pulled off a fine stop against his former side, parrying the ball around the post from a controversial free kick 25 yards away from goal.

The tempo of the game was lively, made more so by a good atmosphere as the home fans ‘drummed’ up support and United as ever sung relentlessly from the terrace, unaided by instrumental accompaniment; both sets of fans urging their respective sides to find a way through to the all-important opening goal.

With just over 20 minutes remaining the deadlock was finally broken, and regrettably, this went the way of Northwich. A dubious free kick was awarded on the left-hand side and was sent in for a glancing header at the near post across Spencer and into the far bottom corner. United were giving away too many free kicks around the area, playing to Northwich’s strengths as their main threat always looked to be through set pieces.

Going behind seemed to spur the Reds into action, and were building in and around the area. With a little bit of fortune on their side, United perhaps could have summoned up an equaliser, but the final ball was never quite there.

Frustratingly, instead of setting the game level, United conceded once more and it was through all of their own making. Lack of cover in the right fullback position, combined with FC losing possession, meant that Budrys had acres of space to run into, giving Spencer no chance in a one-on-one situation.

Norton gave United hope with only a minute remaining, turning on the edge of the area and slotting the ball in the gap between the keeper and the post to pull a goal back. Unfortunately, this proved to be too little too late as Northwich managed to play out the remaining few minutes to claim all three points.

Disappointing as it is to end a lengthy unbeaten run in the league, the way United played showed sure signs of promise and had they managed to keep up their passing momentum throughout the entire game, the final outcome may have been different. The Reds now enjoy a break over Christmas, before welcoming Ashton United to Gigg Lane on Boxing Day in the final game of 2011.

Website Man of the Match: Mike Norton – held his own as the lone frontman and did a lot of work off the ball to get into good positions, also scored the only United goal of the game.

Report by Victoria Fullen

Previous Matches
24/02/2013 1-1D
02/09/2012 0-2W
21/04/2012 4-1W
20/11/2011 4-1W
09/10/2011 0-3W
23/08/2011 1-5W
09/04/2011 1-0W
13/11/2010 1-0L
24/10/2009 3-0L