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Youth sign off with a third trophy

The fantastic end to the season continued for FC United’s youth team; having already won the North West Youth Alliance Premiership trophy and the North West Youth Cup they have now added the Manchester County FA trophy beating Middleton Colts by three goals to one and making it a hat trick of trophies for the season.

A beautiful sunny day and a good sized crowd were treated to a competitive game of football at Ayrshire Road in Salford, home of Manchester United’s youth academy teams.

FC United had the majority of possession in what was a tense first half. The young players created a number of chances but were unusually wasteful in front of goal. Jamie Mack had two great chances and a Nick Swirad ballooned a header over the bar from just six metres out. Toby Iloba sent two chances wide from good positions and Jack Lyons chested a ball down when he could have headed the ball home from three metres out.

The second half got off to a better start when two minutes in Barry Davies picked the ball up in the left back position and fed Shaun Williams who easily beat his marker and squared the ball to Toby Iloba to smash into the net.

The goal calmed the nerves and the Reds dominated the game passing the ball with aplomb. Mark Reeves popped the ball off to Shaun Williams who again ’skinned’ his marker before squaring the ball to Jamie Mack who hammered the ball into the top corner from twenty metres out to make it two nil FC United.

Grant Shenton in FC’s goal was a spectator for long periods but was called into action when Billy Sutcliffe of Colts let fly with a shot which Shenton dropped low to save. That spurred the Reds forward and Andy Lee, superb at centre back, played the ball forward to Ashley Reece, who fed Williams to cross the ball for Jack Lyons to tap home at the near post making it three nil with twenty minutes to go.

Shaun Connor came on for Nick Swirad and Sam Freakes came on to replace Iloba, Sam broke his leg eight weeks earlier and only had the plaster off twelve days before the game but his contribution over the season meant he deserved to play some part of the game.

Kyle McDonagh came on to replace Reeves. Kyle is only just 16 and could play a major part in FC United in the years to come. With seconds to go Billy Sutcliffe did score a consolation goal for Colts to make the final score 3-1.

Jamie Mack picked up the FA County Cup, for the third time in three years, a feat never done before. The large group of partisan FC United fans cheered and sang as the players celebrated.

FC coach Peter Freakes congratulated all the players, ’I want to thank everyone who has played for us this season but I would especially like to acknowledge the contribution of my assistant Andy Whiteman who is the unsung hero of the side.’

’Thanks also go to Sam the physio, matchday secretary Gareth Moore, Darren Lyons and Dean for their support plus Karl Marginson for having faith in him to make the right decisions for the team.’

Turning back to the players Pete added, ’What a season the young FC United of Manchester players have had; winning the FA County Cup and doing ’the treble’, what a way for these boys to sign off from Youth Football.

As they reach the age of eighteen this team has to be broke up; FC United will ensure that next season all of them have the opportunity to further their footballing careers at the highest possible level, with some hopefully going on to fulfil their desire to play for the FC United first team.’

The majority of the team have been with Pete Freakes and Andy Whitemen for a number of years winning 17 trophies in four seasons from u/14’s to u/18’s; here in Greater Manchester, in UK tournaments and of course winning the Catalunya Cup in Barcelona Spain.

Everyone at FC United joins with Pete in wishing each and every player well for the future and thank them for all their hard work and dedication.

FCUM Youth Team



First Posted ~ 09:17 Tue 26 May 2009
News ID ~ 2265
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021