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Match Report

26th October 2013

EvoStik League Premier Division

Gigg Lane, Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR


FC United of Manchester

6 - 2

Stocksbridge Park Steels

Norton 4, 66
Walwyn 34
Mulholland 75
Daniels 82, 89
  Joynes 30
Hoyle 84
Attendance: 1,542

FC United of Manchester 6

Norton 4, 66
Walwyn 34
Mulholland 75
Daniels 82, 89

Stocksbridge Park Steels 2

Joynes 30
Hoyle 84

Attendance: 1,542


FC United of Manchester

1 Jon Worsnop
2 Liam Brownhill
3 Lee Neville
4 Sergio Rodriguez
5 Tom Davies
6 Amjad Iqbal
7 Matthew Wolfenden
8 Greg Daniels
9 Mike Norton (capt)
10 Tom Greaves
11 Matthew Walwyn

Subs.
12 Callum Byrne (for 10, 56 mins)
14 Astley Mulholland (for 11, 70 mins)
15 Rhodri Giggs (for 7, 76 mins)

Stocksbridge Park Steels

1 Ben Scott
2 Richard Haigh
3 Ben Turner
4 Nick Swirad
5 Danny South
6 Matthew Telling
7 Alec Denton
8 Janni Lipka
9 Brett Bowden Lovell (capt)
10 Nathan Joynes
11 Stephen Hoyle
Subs:

12 Liam Royles (for 4, 71 mins)
15 James Knowles (for 6, 21 mins)
16 Chris Bettney (for 10, 75 mins)


Match Report
FC United topped off a week of good news off the pitch with a morale-boosting 6-2 home win against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Mike Norton put the Reds ahead on four minutes with his first goal of the season and despite the Steels equalising, United led 2-1 at the break thanks to Matthew Walwyn. Marginson’s side added four more in the second half with only one reply and although United don’t ‘often score six’ these days, on this occasion, that was exactly the case.

United’s team sheet showed plenty of attacking potential, but in the opening couple of minutes it was Stocksbridge who were threatening. A very early corner came in and was missed by Jon Worsnop, but although Matthew Wolfenden came away with the ball, the Reds lost possession in the middle of the park and Brett Bowden Lovell came through and struck to the keeper’s left. Worsnop tipped the ball out for a corner from which Lovell’s free header sailed inches over the bar.

Some may say therefore that FC United’s opener was against the run of play. Walwyn crossed from the left and a defender’s deflection directed the ball into the path of Norton, who, caught rather unawares, somehow headed the ball beyond Ben Scott; the keeper himself looking disorientated.

Walwyn found the back of the net minutes later but unfortunately without the ball. Lee Neville crossed into Norton and as the ball came loose, Walwyn came in and looked to score from close range, however a last ditch tackle saw the forward tumble over the line and the ball roll out of play.

On the quarter of an hour mark, Matthew Telling went to ground in the area and despite protestations from both fans and players; the visitors were awarded a penalty. Telling left the field for treatment and Nathan Joynes stepped up to attempt to convert. In what could have been a game-changing moment, Wornsop dived to his left and kept Joynes’ effort out.

Whether the correct decision or not, Telling was left injured and was replaced soon after by James Knowles. The replacement centre half was left to watch as Tom Greaves beat the offside trap and as Scott came off his line, the striker rounded the grounded Steels’ keeper who failed to get his hands to the ball. The angle was tight and as Greaves looked to find a way in, the defence got back quickly and eventually cleared.

United were choosing to play the ball backwards to keep possession, instead of looking for forward passes on many occasions and despite being encouraged to go forward soon had their goal cancelled out from a set piece. Stocksbridge’s corner came in and the ball scrambled loose from the resultant header. Worsnop was powerless as he’d gone to ground and Joynes made up for his penalty miss by putting the ball away on 30 minutes.

Four minutes later, Walwyn restored United’s lead. Liam Brownhill linked well with Norton on the right who crossed first time for Walwyn to hit the far post. The ball ricocheted across the goal and in off the opposite upright.

Former FC defender Nick Swirad had an effort on goal which trickled wide and Walwyn looked to go forward again before the break, but the score line remained unchanged and the Reds led at half time.

FC United pressed early in the second half and Greg Daniels, Walwyn and Brownhill all eyed goal. Ten minutes after the restart Greaves was replaced by Callum Byrne in order to strengthen the midfield; a changed which proved effective.

Walwyn had a chance after Daniels’ disguised pass fooled the defence, before the forward again looked to add another with a header from a corner which hit the post and the Steels scrambled the ball away. United did have the ball in the net again but they were made to wait to increase their lead as the referee disallowed the goal. Neville’s ball in met with Walwyn who headed it on target; however Norton was adjudged to have pushed the first defender.

Norton made up for the ineligible goal by scoring his second and the Reds’ third on 65 minutes. The trajectory of Daniels’ corner was excellent and Norton was able to head the ball past Scott, meaning that United’s first three goals were all headed.

On 69 minutes, Walwyn was replaced by Astley Mulholland who instantly looked to go forward, so much so that he added a fourth just five minutes after his introduction. The substitute ran through on goal and although he could have gone down, did well to stay on his feet and slid the ball between the keeper and the near post from close range.

Sitting on a comfortable three-goal cushion, Wolfenden came off in place of Rhodri Giggs. United were now testing Stocksbridge at every opportunity and Byrne forced a couple of good saves from Scott. Daniels contributed his first of the game with less than ten minutes of normal time remaining, latching onto a lovely back-heel from Norton through the back line. The flag stayed down and Daniels knocked the ball past the advancing keeper.

Stephen Hoyle provided some consolation for the Steels, heading a cross beyond Wornsop in a softly conceded goal for United. The Reds however soon managed to reinstate their four goal advantage as Daniels wrapped up the scoring on with 89 minutes on the clock. Giggs’ low cross found Norton and then Daniels who eventually put the ball away.

The final score reflects a good day at the office for FC United and although improvements can still be made, Saturday’s result will surely inspire confidence in the side as they head for an FA Trophy replay on Tuesday.

Report by Victoria Fullen.
Match Report
FC United topped off a week of good news off the pitch with a morale-boosting 6-2 home win against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Mike Norton put the Reds ahead on four minutes with his first goal of the season and despite the Steels equalising, United led 2-1 at the break thanks to Matthew Walwyn. Marginson’s side added four more in the second half with only one reply and although United don’t ‘often score six’ these days, on this occasion, that was exactly the case.

United’s team sheet showed plenty of attacking potential, but in the opening couple of minutes it was Stocksbridge who were threatening. A very early corner came in and was missed by Jon Worsnop, but although Matthew Wolfenden came away with the ball, the Reds lost possession in the middle of the park and Brett Bowden Lovell came through and struck to the keeper’s left. Worsnop tipped the ball out for a corner from which Lovell’s free header sailed inches over the bar.

Some may say therefore that FC United’s opener was against the run of play. Walwyn crossed from the left and a defender’s deflection directed the ball into the path of Norton, who, caught rather unawares, somehow headed the ball beyond Ben Scott; the keeper himself looking disorientated.

Walwyn found the back of the net minutes later but unfortunately without the ball. Lee Neville crossed into Norton and as the ball came loose, Walwyn came in and looked to score from close range, however a last ditch tackle saw the forward tumble over the line and the ball roll out of play.

On the quarter of an hour mark, Matthew Telling went to ground in the area and despite protestations from both fans and players; the visitors were awarded a penalty. Telling left the field for treatment and Nathan Joynes stepped up to attempt to convert. In what could have been a game-changing moment, Wornsop dived to his left and kept Joynes’ effort out.

Whether the correct decision or not, Telling was left injured and was replaced soon after by James Knowles. The replacement centre half was left to watch as Tom Greaves beat the offside trap and as Scott came off his line, the striker rounded the grounded Steels’ keeper who failed to get his hands to the ball. The angle was tight and as Greaves looked to find a way in, the defence got back quickly and eventually cleared.

United were choosing to play the ball backwards to keep possession, instead of looking for forward passes on many occasions and despite being encouraged to go forward soon had their goal cancelled out from a set piece. Stocksbridge’s corner came in and the ball scrambled loose from the resultant header. Worsnop was powerless as he’d gone to ground and Joynes made up for his penalty miss by putting the ball away on 30 minutes.

Four minutes later, Walwyn restored United’s lead. Liam Brownhill linked well with Norton on the right who crossed first time for Walwyn to hit the far post. The ball ricocheted across the goal and in off the opposite upright.

Former FC defender Nick Swirad had an effort on goal which trickled wide and Walwyn looked to go forward again before the break, but the score line remained unchanged and the Reds led at half time.

FC United pressed early in the second half and Greg Daniels, Walwyn and Brownhill all eyed goal. Ten minutes after the restart Greaves was replaced by Callum Byrne in order to strengthen the midfield; a changed which proved effective.

Walwyn had a chance after Daniels’ disguised pass fooled the defence, before the forward again looked to add another with a header from a corner which hit the post and the Steels scrambled the ball away. United did have the ball in the net again but they were made to wait to increase their lead as the referee disallowed the goal. Neville’s ball in met with Walwyn who headed it on target; however Norton was adjudged to have pushed the first defender.

Norton made up for the ineligible goal by scoring his second and the Reds’ third on 65 minutes. The trajectory of Daniels’ corner was excellent and Norton was able to head the ball past Scott, meaning that United’s first three goals were all headed.

On 69 minutes, Walwyn was replaced by Astley Mulholland who instantly looked to go forward, so much so that he added a fourth just five minutes after his introduction. The substitute ran through on goal and although he could have gone down, did well to stay on his feet and slid the ball between the keeper and the near post from close range.

Sitting on a comfortable three-goal cushion, Wolfenden came off in place of Rhodri Giggs. United were now testing Stocksbridge at every opportunity and Byrne forced a couple of good saves from Scott. Daniels contributed his first of the game with less than ten minutes of normal time remaining, latching onto a lovely back-heel from Norton through the back line. The flag stayed down and Daniels knocked the ball past the advancing keeper.

Stephen Hoyle provided some consolation for the Steels, heading a cross beyond Wornsop in a softly conceded goal for United. The Reds however soon managed to reinstate their four goal advantage as Daniels wrapped up the scoring on with 89 minutes on the clock. Giggs’ low cross found Norton and then Daniels who eventually put the ball away.

The final score reflects a good day at the office for FC United and although improvements can still be made, Saturday’s result will surely inspire confidence in the side as they head for an FA Trophy replay on Tuesday.

Report by Victoria Fullen.

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