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Youth team through to second cup final

FC United Youth Team celebrated reaching a second cup final in a week, beating Woodley Sports 4-0 at St Bride’s Field on Sunday. The highlight of the performance being a shot by Jack Lyons who having received the ball wide on the right on the half way line, spotted Woodley keeper Nathan Beckett off his line, launched a shot which made use of a favourable wind to comprehensively beat the keeper and drop just under the cross bar to make it 3-0.

The game was a typical, competitive cup tie with firm tackles from both sides, although FC were generally in control throughout, dominating possession and creating most of the chances. The first of which came in the tenth minute; when a Jamie Mack shot from a tight angle was easily saved by Bennett. The Woodley man was slightly less comfortable five minutes later as a free kick from Ashley Reece on the touchline about 25 yards out was lifted high into the box. It would have just crept under the cross bar without a finger tip turn over.

The crowd did not have to wait much longer for the first goal, after 18 minutes Toby Iloba received the ball in the box, turned and crossed for Jamie Mack. His mis-hit shot which would probably have been saved by the keeper, took a deflection off a Woodley defender and into the net.

The rest of the half past with much competitive action in midfield and half chances for both sides, the best of which fell to Woodley with Josh Granite hitting a free kick under the FC wall but straight at Grant Shenton. An injury time corner for Woodley almost took advantage of the wind narrowly missing the far post after beating everyone in the penalty area.

FC United took control in the second half with midfield terrier Mark Reeves seeing a shot narrowly clear the crossbar in the first five minutes. The lead was doubled shortly afterwards when Jamie Mack coolly slotted home a penalty. This was awarded after Jack Lyons had got behind and then been brought down by Luke Latham.

Shortly afterwards the FC goal faced its greatest threat of the afternoon when a Woodley free-kick bounced on the crossbar twice before dropping into the six yard box with FC clearing their lines in the scramble that followed. This merely encouraged Jack Lyons to try his luck with more success. The scoring was completed in the 69th minute when Lyons hit a shot across the goal only to hit the post with Toby Iloba on hand to pounce on the rebound.

FC United continued to cause a threat to the Woodley back line although with the game virtually over the pace dropped and few clear chances were created. The best of which came in injury time; when Woodley were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out. Substitute Antonio Sarcevic struck a fine effort which was turned away by Grant Shenton to ensure he kept a clean sheet.

FC United will face the winners of the other semi-final between Marine and Nantwich at a time and place yet to be confirmed.

FC United of Manchester

1. Grant Shenton
2. Ashley Reece
3. Barry Davies
4. John Buckley
5. Nick Swirad
6. Shaun Connor
7. Mark Reeves
8. Shaun Williams
9. Toby Iloba (Goal 69 Minutes)
10. Jamie Mack (Goals 18 & 53 minutes)
11. Jack Lyons (Goal 64 minutes)

Substitutes

12. Ryan Lyons (For 12, 80 Minutes)
14. Sam Freakes
15. Tim Marshall (For 4, 72 minutes)
16. Kyle McDonagh (For 3, 78 Minutes)
17. Robert Froggatt


Woodley Sports

1. Nathan Beckett
2. Ben Mangan
3. Luke Latham
4. Josh Granite
5. Jack Wareing
6. Andy Bailey
7. Matt Brady
8. Kyle Riley
9. Kris Dickenson
10. Gabriel Oyediwura
11. Jason James

Substitutes

12. Jack Parsonage
14. Phil Cooper
15. Joe Booth
16. Antonio Sarcevic
17. Elliott Cummings



First Posted ~ 17:03 Mon 23 Mar 2009
News ID ~ 2143
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021