FC Youth Edge Past Curzon Ashton

A run of three games in six days at a shower sodden St Bride’s field began with the visit of Curzon Ashton on Thursday night. With darkening skies in mind the referee took the decision to play 40 minutes each way before the game kicked off. FC United were first out of the starting blocks with three shots on goal in the first ten minutes. All were somehow turned away for corners; Theo Kidd, Sam Howell and Richard Smith all being denied. As far as the corners themselves were concerned it proved to be third time lucky for the youth. Jonathan Poizer’s corner was flicked on by Richard Smith to poacher extraordinaire Kial Callacher to pounce at the far post.

The goal seemed to spark some life into the visitors, who made it a much more even contest from there in. Nicholas Houghton particularly unlucky although his effort that hit the bar in the nineteenth minute was from an angle that made it appear more like a cross than a shot.

Kial was unlucky not to double the score on the half hour mark. Matthew Boland’s corner from the left was over hit and was only saved from being a throw in by the efforts of Jonathan Poizer chasing after it. A more measured cross found Kial but he could not quite stretch enough to get his effort on target.

The second half was a more even contest though neither goalkeeper was truly tested. Andrew Farrimond turned a free kick over his cross bar and sixteen year old FC debutante Joshua Matthew was unlucky when dragging a shot just wide.

Next up on Sunday is another cup tie against Mossley, the third semi final for FC. Then on Tuesday Morecambe make the long trek down the M6 for a 6:30 kick off.

FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Alex Stones (Matt Musialowski 68 mins), Josh Smethurst, Richard Smith, Kial Callacher (Kyle Cunningham 40 mins), James Brooks, Sam Howell (Joshua Matthew 53 mins), Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer. Subs not used: Matthew Hassall and Andy Lee.

Goal: Kial Callacher

Cautioned: James Brooks.