Colne hit for six

FC United notched up their 100th league goal of the campaign to move three points clear at the top of the table after a comfortable 6-2 home win against Colne.

Rhodri Giggs capped a man of the match performance by scoring the Reds’ third goal to take them over the century mark, and effectively seal the game before the break.

The Reds, battle-hardened after two tough clashes against promotion hopefuls Curzon Ashton and Nantwich Town, were simply too strong for the visitors from the off.

United took the lead when Rory Patterson chested down a David Chadwick header in the box before turning and hitting a lovely volley into the corner.

Colne surprisingly equalised three minutes later. Liam Garbutt’s wonderful left foot strike from outside the box giving Sam Ashton no chance in the Reds goal.

Margy’s men regained the advantage on the half-hour mark. A quick break released Patterson down the right and a pin-point cross allowed Jerome Wright to fire home.

Two minutes later Wright became the provider as Giggs glanced in his floated free-kick to take United two goals clear.

And United made it 4-1 ten minutes before half-time. Ashton’s long goal kicks caused the Colne defence problems all day and his huge clearance was headed-on by Patterson to Wright to run onto the ball for his second.

After the break any hopes of an unlikely Colne comeback were quashed when Chadwick headed home a free header from Jerome Wright’s corner.

With the sun shining and United in cruise control, Phil Power came on from the subs bench to top up his tan.

The Assistant Player Manager proved he can still show the kids a thing or two by calmly slotting in the sixth goal.

Colne notched a second from the penalty spot to add a touch of respectability to the proceedings but it failed to mask what was an easy victory for the Reds who are now three points ahead of Salford City with four games in hand.

Mark Swanwick





FC United
1. S Ashton
2. L Foster
3. A Mortimer
4. N Platt
5. D Chadwick (Capt.)
6. R Nugent
7. R Giggs
8. G Sampson
9. S Rudd
10. J Wright
11. R Patterson

Subs
12. D Swarbrick (6, 52)
14. S Roscoe (8, 52)
15. P Power (9, 70)

Goals: Patterson 14, Wright 31 & 36, Giggs 33, Chadwick 59, Power 72
Booked: Power 85


Colne
1. C Brennan
2. P Walker
3. J Heffernan
4. R Wright
5. B Howarth
6. C Gallagher
7. T Crockett
8. K Roberts (Capt.)
9. A Hurt
10. M Cruz
11. L Garbutt

Subs
12. J Moulton (2, 58)
14. J Blackburn (7, 58)
15. C Whittaker (6, 70)

Goals: Garbutt 17, Blackburn 76
Booked: Roberts 66

Attendance: 2,456
Sponsors Man of the Match: Rhodri Giggs