Match Report

Banbury United 5

FC United of Manchester 2

Attendance: 909

FC United slipped to a disappointing 5-2 defeat against fellow supporter-owned club Banbury United on Saturday at the Oxfordshire club's Spencer Stadium in front of 909 supporters.

Two goals from Charlie Ennis offered the Reds' travelling supporters little in the way of consolation, on an afternoon where the home team ran riot in attack, with Banbury striker Chris Wreh notching up a hat-trick during an impressive performance for the hosts.

United had made the journey down the M40 with a match day squad featuring some notable absentees, including club captain Michael Potts, winger Finlay Sinclair-Smith, midfielder Michael Donohue and defender Joe White. United manager Neil Reynolds instead looked to give game time to other squad members, as well as naming five academy players for the trip down south.

Playing in new and eye-catching blue away shirts, things had started promisingly for United, with the away side taking control of the game early on and looking comfortable in both possession and attack.

After a spate of good early opportunities, the visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when Charlie Ennis played a one-two with Cedric Main before driving the ball low into the back of the net from 25 yards out.

Shortly after the afternoon's opener heavy rain started to fall. You'd have been forgiven for thinking that FC had brought the Mancunian micro-climate with them, and might benefit better from the wet conditions than their opponents.

But Banbury had other ideas, and quickly fought their way back into the game, with an equaliser coming just six minutes after United's opening goal. Pacey right winger Henry Landers found himself played in behind United's defence and, after making his way into the penalty area, sent a low cross in to the feet of striker Wreh who stroked the ball home to bring the score level.

Following a period of fairly even play, it was Banbury who took the lead before the break, as forward Morgan Roberts capitalised on an uncharacteristic defensive error from FC United keeper Dan Lavercombe for the home side's second.

Having failed to bring the ball under control from a fairly routine backpass, Lavercombe mistimed his clearance, instead swinging and missing at the ball. This allowed it to run through to Roberts who ably finished the simple task of putting the ball away into an open net.

After the half time break Banbury continued to press for goals, with midfielder Giorgio Rasulo a constant thorn in United's side all afternoon. The imposing number eight played a big part in Banbury's next goal, as he won the ball deep inside the United half before breaking at pace to the penalty box and setting up Wreh for the striker's second goal.

The Puritans' number nine let the ball fly low with a fine strike from the right side of the area. FC keeper Lavercombe managed to get a hand on the ball, but was unable to halt its progress towards the back of the net.

Quickly after that, United thought that they had a found a route back into the game, when the Reds converted a penalty to bring the score to 3-2. The referee was quick to point to the spot after Puritans' captain Rasulo appeared to block a goal-bound shot with his forearm. Eager to add to his tally, Charlie Ennis stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his shot straight down the middle of the goal, to put United just one goal behind their hosts.

However, FC's recovery was frustratingly brief, as Banbury quickly added another goal to the scoreline through yet another defensive error. This time, second half substitute Nathaniel Egyiri was unfortunate to misplace a forward pass directly into the path of Banbury's number eleven, Ben Acquaye. The attacking midfielder gleefully sprinted forward into the United box, before placing his shot past Lavercombe for his side's fourth goal.

Just five minutes later, the home side's dominance was further reinforced as they broke in numbers from the halfway line and ruthlessly overloaded the United defence down the right wing. Another low cross into the penalty area found its way to Wreh, who was only too happy to take up the opportunity to complete his hat-trick and put his team 5-2 up.

After the game FC United manager Neil Reynolds spoke of his pride at seeing five academy players feature in the final stages of the game for FC. It will have been a tough introduction to senior football for many of the young players on the field but, as United look more and more to their academy graduates to make a mark on the first team, it will hopefully have provided them with some crucial match-day experience as well.

Website man of the match: Charlie Ennis – scored both FC United’s goals during an otherwise forgettable performance for the Reds.

Report by Sam Turner

Two goals for the midfielder provided much needed highlights on an otherwise difficult afternoon for the FC United team and their supporters. His tenacity and passion were evident throughout the game.