Match Report

FC United progressed to the semi-final of the Manchester Premier Cup with a 3-1 victory away at Abbey Hey, thanks to a hat-trick by Tom Greaves.

The Reds (who played in the third kit of all blue) came into the game on the back of one of the best performances of the season in Saturday’s victory over Stalybridge Celtic and wasted no time in carrying on in that form taking the lead after just 4 minutes; Harry Winters lofted ball into the box finding Greaves who finished well.

After just ten minutes it was 2-0, with Greaves adding to his first goal with another coolly taken chance from inside the box giving the visiting side a comfortable lead early on.

The two early goals took a little bit of the sting away from the game as a cup-tie, with FC easing off a little and always looking in control, there were large sections of the game without much opportunity.

The home team remained game though and came close on a couple of opportunities, forcing a couple of good reaction saves from Dave Carnell.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Greaves put the game beyond doubt with a great left footed goal just inside the penalty area which flew into the top corner and put FC United through to the last four of the competition.

The home team did grab a well-deserved consolation goal late on with the best goal of the night, as Nico Collins struck from outside the box leaving Carnell with no chance of stopping the effort.

The Reds make it back to back victories and join Salford City in the final four of the competition. Next up is a double header of home games against Nuneaton Town in the league this weekend, before a meeting in the FA Trophy the following week.

Website man of the match: Tom Greaves – Took all three of his goals well and as captain led the team well on the field.

Report by Craig Phillips