Development Squad win at Colne

Two goals from Tom Greaves one at the start and one at the end of the match along with strikes from John Pritchard and Frank van Gils helped the Development Squad to a 4-3 win at Colne.

News of the death of goalkeeping coach Robin Smith reached the dressing room just before kick-off and perhaps dampened the early mood as Colne dominated possession at the start. A free kick into the box was not closed down but the resulting shot was off target; another chance soon followed. However FC United soon took the lead as in the fourth minute van Gils gained possession and strode forward, a pass behind the Colne back line allowed Greaves to run in and fire past Stuart Cross in the home goal.

In a finely balanced first half both sides had chances, on 12 minutes the home side broke down the right wing, a cross into the box was met with a bicycle kick effort that fortunately, was off target. On 17 minutes an FC free kick fell to Pritchard whose goal bound effort was deflected wide for a corner.

Cross saved well from van Gils and the rebound was fired wide on the half hour and then Colne had a free-kick cleared. FC were looking to take charge but Colne found an equaliser on 40 minutes as a Jack Brooks pass split the defence and allowed Lee Barrett to run round Chris Taylor and slot home.

It did seem that the half would end on level terms as two efforts were repelled by the home defence, Dean Hope exchanged passes with van Gils and saw an effort blocked and a subsequent cross found the head of Greaves who hit the post. That was until the last minute of the half when FC were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Colne penalty area. Pritchard fired into the top corner giving Cross no chance.

Pritchard had a great chance to increase the lead just four minutes into the second half with a powerful run and shot which hit the post, the rebound fell to van Gils who fired home to make it 3-1.

Colne had provided a threat all night but FC looked to be dealing with it, Taylor saving from a Micky Woodvine header seemed to be their best chance. The game changed after 76 minutes when Dominic Barratt was sent off for dissent after being penalised for a foul. Colne made use of the advantage as first Barrett turned a ball across goal into the net and Joe Rodriguez raced clear from the left wing fired into the top corner. Suddenly it was 3-3 and game on as both sides looked for a winner.

Fortunately it was FC United that scored it in injury time. Jason Fowles took possession as the ball was played across the defensive line. With space to run into he strode forward and played the ball up towards Greaves, a slip in the home defence allowed him to take possession, fire home convincingly and seal the win.

Colne: 1. Stuart Cross 2. Scott Moore 3. Alexander Nwachukwu 4.Jack Brooks 5. Richard Cowan 6. Thomas Fowler 7. Daniel Russell 8. Michael Woodvine 9. Lee Barrett 10. Edward Cockett 11. Alexander Grice Substitutes: 12. Benjamin Whittaker 14. Joseph Rodriguez 15. Richard Johnson 16. Stephen Cassidy 17. Thomas Berwick.

FC United of Manchester: 1. Chris Taylor 2. Daniel Akubuine 17. Medi Bakinama 4. Michael Brewster 5. Dominic Barrett 6. Dean Stott 7. Frank van Gils 8. Dean Hope 9. Tom Greaves 10. Justin Johnson 11. John Pritchard. Substitutes: 3. Charlie Doyle 13. Philip Pole 15. Jason Fowles 16. Rhodri Giggs.