Win over Leigh sees FC Youth in semi final play off

Leigh Genesis finally played their home game against FC United Youth at Manchester College on Tuesday night. The original date was called off at short notice last week when their pitch behind the Sports Village was declared unplayable.

The first half stayed goalless as the 3G pitch at Ardwick proved as difficult to handle as the Ashton pitch as shots either found there way straight to Adam Spencer in the Leigh goal or off target by some distance. Leigh also enjoyed their share of possession as Rob Spinx shone in midfield and worked hard to find ex FC youth player Boumba Wilson onside. Indeed it was Boumba who had the games first real chance early in the second half as he found himself one on one with the FC keeper. Grant Shenton came to the edge of the box and blocked his shot with his feet.

Five minutes later the game turned as Jack Lyons fired in the first quality cross into the box onto the head of Nick Swirad. That touch looked to be finding the corner of the net, however under instructions to gamble on balls to the far post, Toby Iloba did just that and made sure the ball went in.

Ten minutes later the game came to life as Mark Reeves demonstrated he can tackle like Paul Scholes when he caught Boumba and earned a caution. Unfortunately Boumba earned a red card with a retaliation that had to be seen to be believed.

Ten man Genesis battled on throughout, but the game was effectively over five minutes later, when a ball forward from Grant Shenton was controlled by Jamie Mack. His shot from the edge of the box left Spencer flat footed and stranded as the ball found the bottom corner of the net.

A sweeping leftwing move in the 80th minute saw Jack Lyons head home a Jake Haslam cross for 3-0 before Jake scored possibly the goal of the night five minutes later. Alone amongst a clutch of Leigh defenders he judged a high bounce best of all and coolly lobbed the keeper from the corner of the box.

The win gives FC the points necessary to clinch second place in the league behind Stalybridge and now face a play-off semi-final against a Marine side that have won every game played this season.

Leigh Genesis

1. Adam Spencer
2. Lee Crossland (Cautioned 56 Minutes)
3. Steve Anders
4. Kevin Smith
5. Nick Jolly
6. Joe Clayton
7. Matt Lewis
8. Rob Spinx
9. Matt Smith
10. Boumba Wilson (Sent Off 63 Minutes)
11. Johannes Shambare


FC United of Manchester

1. Grant Shenton
2. Ashley Reece
3. Barry Davies
4. Josh Burke
5. Nick Swirad
6. Andy Lee
7. Mark Reeves
8. Jack Lyons (Goal 80 Minutes)
9. Toby Iloba (Goal 53 Minutes)
10. Jamie Mack (Goal 69 Minutes)
11. Jake Haslam (Goal 85 Minutes)

Substitutes

12. Ryan Lyons
14. Shaun Connor (For4, 77 Minutes)
15. Shaun Williams
16. Kyle McDonagh (For 7, 69 Minutes)
17. Gage Eme (For 9, 61 Minutes)