FC United slump to pre-season defeat at Thackley

FC United came crashing down to earth with a 4-0 defeat at Thackley AFC thanks to a first half hat-trick from Jack Normanton.

For the second game running the Reds conceded in the first minute when Curtis Jones scuffed a clearance. The ball was played into Normanton who rounded young goalkeeper Josh Brooks to roll the ball home.

The visitors responded well, having the majority of the ball but seeing no end product. The lead was doubled on 17 minutes with an almost carbon copy of the first goal, Normanton rounding Brooks.

On 39 minutes, Normanton beat the offside trap for a third time and lobbed Brooks for his third goal.

Manager Neil Reynolds had strong words at half-time and they seemed to have had little effect as Chris Doyle needed to clear off the line within two minutes of the restart.

One of the half time changes Mike Donohue was looking lively and he finally brought a save from home keeper Luke Wilson, this however was to no avail as the lead was increased when Brooks cleared poorly and Ada Mitchell popped the ball back over his head for the fourth goal.

The only really fun part of the night for FC United was a five minute cameo for coach David Chadwick up front. But all in all, there was not much for Reno and his staff to take from the evening.

Report by Steven Wood

Man of the match: thin gruel but for the second game, Paul Ennis was the brightest player in a FC United shirt.