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Development Squad win at Nelson

FC United returned to one of the old haunts of East Lancashire as the Development Squad took on Nelson. Goals from Scott Cheetham early in the game and Frank van Gils late on saw them to a 2-0 victory and one step nearer the Lancashire League Eastern Division title.

Early possession was mostly with the ball being passed around the FC United back four looking to draw Nelson forward and create space, Mike Taylor shot wide with the first chance, but with Barely three minutes gone the reds took the lead. Tunde Owolabi controlled the ball on the edge of the box before turning and crossing for Cheetham to fire home. It was nearly two soon after as Cheetham crossed for Jon Poizer at the far post who headed just wide.

The reds had the majority of possession throughout the game, continually trying to pass the ball and create space but for the most part were denied by a poor final pass or an attacker who had misjudged a run and was ruled offside by the referee’s assistant. Poizer and Cheetham combined twice around the half hour mark, but both efforts were saved by Curtis Hickman in the home goal. Those two efforts were separated by Nelson’s best effort of the half. A long range shot was saved by Taylor and although the ball spilled a worrying distance, no home attacker was able to take advantage.

In the second half Nelson were brighter and more involved in the game, largely by virtue of hard work to close down the visitors, they did hit the FC United cross bar on the hour mark. A corner kick making a direct hit caused problems but Taylor was able to grab the ball as it bounced around in the six yard area.

Most of the FC attacking was down the left wing, Tunde Owolabi providing a constant threat, running with the ball, however it wasn’t until the game was drawing to a close that FC United secured the points. Jean Biansumba fired forward from his own half and the home defenders hesitated, looking for an offside call against Owolabi. Unfortunately they failed to notice van Gils, who was clearly onside from breaking through and taking control of the situation before doubling the lead.

The boys move on to Liversedge in West Yorkshire on the 17th and Ossett Town on the 26th in search of the three points needed to clinch the title. Then after a cup forfeit by Ashton Town they focus on a semi final at Colne, provisionally scheduled for May 1st, with a 7:45pm kick off.



First Posted ~ 22:56 Thu 10 Apr 2014
News ID ~ 5470
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021