Match Report
Venturing into the evening sunshine the youth took on Marine at the Arriva Stadium. Unfortunately they left to the floodlit glow of a 2-0 defeat which in truth didn’t flatter the hosts.
Early action was largely in midfield as the two table topping sides battled for control of the game. Although FC troubled the home defence when they were able to get their passing game going, several corners were gained through hurried clearances by the Marine defence. However, it was largely due to wayward Marine shooting that the first half ended goalless with Jack Flynn and Billy Smart proving difficult to handle. The former brought a smart save from Jonathan Beisty in the tenth minute to force a corner.
Marine had a claim for a penalty turned down as the ball, running across Kyle Cunningham’s body made contact with his arm. The linesman signalled that the offence was just outside the area in a central position. The kick, which seemed to have a large area of the goal to aim for fortunately flew just wide of the keepers left hand post.
The second half was a more even contest but it was Marine who found their shooting boots. Early pressure saw them force three consecutive corners although the eventual effort on goal was saved. The hosts thought they had scored in the 57th minute as a cross to the far post was headed home with Beisty comfortably beaten. Thankfully the officials had spotted an offence and disallowed the effort.
That let off didn’t last very long as on the hour Jack Flynn was able to fire home. His effort struck one post and rolled across the goal line before going in with the help of the other. The second came in the 81st minute when Jack McCluskie intercepted a ball played by FC across the pitch around half way. His pass to substitute striker Paul Pruden left the defence stranded and he went on to fire in top the far corner.
As FC pressed forward to get something out of the game, the officials were organising an FC free kick there was a melee in the area as an FC player appeared to have been kicked. There was much consultation amongst referee and linesmen as they attempted to work out what had happened but none had seen the initial incident.
A rematch will take place at St Brides on Wednesday 11th April kick off at 6:30pm and the reds seek to restart their title challenge by reversing the result.
FC United of Manchester: Jonathan Beisty, Alex Stones, Josh Smethurst, Connor Naughton, James Brooks, Kyle Cunningham, Sam Howell (Matthew Hassall 64 mins), Richard Smith, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer (Luke Walker 75 mins). Subs not used: Andy Lee, Kial Callacher, Andrew Farrimond.
Caution: Alex Stones.
Match Report
Venturing into the evening sunshine the youth took on Marine at the Arriva Stadium. Unfortunately they left to the floodlit glow of a 2-0 defeat which in truth didn’t flatter the hosts.
Early action was largely in midfield as the two table topping sides battled for control of the game. Although FC troubled the home defence when they were able to get their passing game going, several corners were gained through hurried clearances by the Marine defence. However, it was largely due to wayward Marine shooting that the first half ended goalless with Jack Flynn and Billy Smart proving difficult to handle. The former brought a smart save from Jonathan Beisty in the tenth minute to force a corner.
Marine had a claim for a penalty turned down as the ball, running across Kyle Cunningham’s body made contact with his arm. The linesman signalled that the offence was just outside the area in a central position. The kick, which seemed to have a large area of the goal to aim for fortunately flew just wide of the keepers left hand post.
The second half was a more even contest but it was Marine who found their shooting boots. Early pressure saw them force three consecutive corners although the eventual effort on goal was saved. The hosts thought they had scored in the 57th minute as a cross to the far post was headed home with Beisty comfortably beaten. Thankfully the officials had spotted an offence and disallowed the effort.
That let off didn’t last very long as on the hour Jack Flynn was able to fire home. His effort struck one post and rolled across the goal line before going in with the help of the other. The second came in the 81st minute when Jack McCluskie intercepted a ball played by FC across the pitch around half way. His pass to substitute striker Paul Pruden left the defence stranded and he went on to fire in top the far corner.
As FC pressed forward to get something out of the game, the officials were organising an FC free kick there was a melee in the area as an FC player appeared to have been kicked. There was much consultation amongst referee and linesmen as they attempted to work out what had happened but none had seen the initial incident.
A rematch will take place at St Brides on Wednesday 11th April kick off at 6:30pm and the reds seek to restart their title challenge by reversing the result.
FC United of Manchester: Jonathan Beisty, Alex Stones, Josh Smethurst, Connor Naughton, James Brooks, Kyle Cunningham, Sam Howell (Matthew Hassall 64 mins), Richard Smith, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer (Luke Walker 75 mins). Subs not used: Andy Lee, Kial Callacher, Andrew Farrimond.
Caution: Alex Stones.
