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Eight out of eight is great

A spectacular seventh minute Steve Smith strike sent United’s travelling support home satisfied with the eighth straight victory of the season, but Trafford gave the Reds a torrid time.

Former Leigh RMI midfielder Smith scored his second goal of the season with a 30-yard screamer that was fumbled over the line by the home team’s ’keeper Damien Rooney in front of 1,643 fans at Altrincham’s Moss Lane stadium.

But after the promising start, an onslaught of goals that might have been expected never occurred as Trafford proved to be tough tackling robust opponents and United ’keeper Sam Ashton had his busiest game since joining the club in the summer.

Rory Patterson blazed a good opportunity over the bar and Stuart Rudd was unlucky to see a 30 yard pile-driver shoot just wide of the post. However, there weren’t too many more chances as Trafford harried and closed the Reds down quickly with former FC United captain Billy McCartney looking solid at the back.

In the end one goal was enough and United will be happy to come away with another clean sheet and their 100% record intact.

Match information:
Trafford
1) Damien Rooney
2) Simon Woodford
3) Craig Malbon
4) Gareth Thomas
5) Billy McCartney
6) Gareth Johnson
7) Danny Doherty
8 ) Martyn Andrews (C)
9) Troy Hayder
10) Glyn Barker
11) Liam Donnelly
Substitutes:
12) Dion Depiaza (Sub for 10, 74 mins)
14) Lee Southwood (Sub for 9, 86 mins)
15) Dean Canning (Sub for 7, 58 mins).

Cautioned: Glyn Barker (33 mins) for persistent misconduct, Gareth Thomas (56 mins) for pushing and Lee Southward (89 mins) for a late challenge on Stuart Rudd.

FC United of Manchester

1) Sam Ashton
2) Matt Taylor
3) Alex Mortimer
4) Steve Spencer
5) David Chadwick (C)
6) Robert Nugent
7) Rhodri Giggs
8 ) Steve Smith
9) Stuart Rudd
10) Josh Howard
11) Rory Patterson
Substitutes:
12) Jamie Phoenix (Sub for 7, 67 mins)
14) Adie Orr (Sub for 11, 58 mins)
15) William Ahern (Sub for 10, 78 mins)

Cautioned: Sam Ashton (88 mins) for delaying the restart.

Referee: Mr S. Pardoe (Crewe).

Official attendance: 1,643



First Posted ~ 10:36 Sun 10 Sep 2006
News ID ~ 502
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021