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United off to a flyer at Airbus UK Broughton - full report



FC United’s pre-season campaign got off to a flying start on Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over Airbus UK Broughton in north Wales, goals coming from debutant Scott Metcalfe, Nicky Platt, Ben Deegan and Matthew Wolfenden.

The Reds began with three new players in the starting line up - Metcalfe, Dean Stott and Michael Carr - and things took off well as they flew into a two goal lead. Airbus pulled one back just before the players checked-in for half-time but it proved only to be a consolation as United would runaway with the game in the second half.

Karl Marginson’s side took the lead in the 12th minute but it could have been even earlier with Platt shooting narrowly wide in the opening stages. David Chadwick also went close soon after with a header at the keeper Nicki Bulmer following a great cross from Jimmy Holden.

It only looked a matter of time before the away team took the lead and so it proved when great work from Carr in the midfield opened up Carlos Roca on the right, his superb cross was met by Metcalfe who bulleted a superb header into the net.

Roca was a constant menace for the The Wingmakers defence and he almost doubled the lead when he was played through but Bulmer blocked his shot. And it was Roca who threatened again on the half hour, a great cross from the left was punched out by the home keeper to the winger who lobbed the ball over the net.

The lead was doubled six minutes later when a great Holden corner was headed home by Platt at the near post. The home side did see quite a bit of the ball but didn’t really trouble Sam Ashton in the FC United goal and it looked like a set piece was their best chance of a goal. And so it proved one minute before the break when a free-kick from Ross Rule flew into the top corner.

At half-time, Margy made wholesale changes with only former Hyde defender Stott staying on from the first half but moving over from centre-back to right-back. On the hour mark, Daniel Grimshaw went close with a shot but the half started slowly, which was understandable with a team of players who had never played together before.

As the half wore on the players certainly got used to playing as a team and the lead was extended when Wolfenden rolled the ball back to Deegan who knocked the ball into the net. A minute later Chris Horne was unlucky when he chipped wide of the goal.

With seven minutes to go, the ball was played out to Wolfenden who cut in from the wing and curled a superb shot into the top corner. The game concluded with a couple more chances for FC, a diving header from Deegan saved by the Bulmer, who was also called into action in injury time when a long ball played Stott in, who saw his shot tipped wide.

All in all, it was a very good FC performance. There were lots of potential on show from the new players, a special mention for Stott who played well both at centre-half and right-back. It was also great to see the Reds using both wings to great effect with all four goals coming from out wide.

Report by Steve Wood

Watch all the goals between Airbus UK Broughton and FC United on YouTube, with thanks to FC United supporter Neil Boo for the footage.





First Posted ~ 13:40 Mon 11 Jul 2011
News ID ~ 3640
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021