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Match Report

24th August 2005

Moore & Co Construction Solicitors sponsored North West Counties Football League Division 2

Gigg Lane, Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR


FC United of Manchester

7 - 1

Eccleshall

Rawlinson 6, 54
Torpey 31
Nugent 38
Orr 48, 56
Gilligan 89
  De Matteo 49
Attendance: 1,978

FC United of Manchester 7

Rawlinson 6, 54
Torpey 31
Nugent 38
Orr 48, 56
Gilligan 89

Eccleshall 1

De Matteo 49

Attendance: 1,978


FC United of Manchester

1 Barrie George
2 Kevin Elvin
3 Gareth Ormes
4 Steven Spencer
5 David Chadwick (capt)
6 Robert Nugent
7 Mark Rawlinson
8 Tony Coyne
9 Jonathan Mitten
10 Steve Torpey
11 Rory Patterson

Subs.
12 Adie Orr (for 10)
14 Ryan Gilligan (for 4)
15 Simon Carden (for 8)

Eccleshall

1. L Whiting
2. A Edwards
3. D Stevens (Capt)
4. K Peate
5. S Millington
6. R Notice
7. O Warrender
8. M Silverstone
9. R De-Matteo
10. G Martin
11. D Wagg

Subs:
12. A Garratt (75min for 10)
14 C Bradshaw (55min for 4)
15. S Jones (66min for 2)


Match Report
Wednesday night saw United returning to Gigg Lane for their second home fixture of the season. Due to some dramas on the Metrolink system many were still queuing outside the turnstiles as the original kick off time approached. The match officials sensibly decided to delay the match for a quarter of an hour to allow everyone to get into the stadium.


Much debate was heard before the match about the likely attendance for this game. Many expected the crowd to be significantly down as Manchester United’s game was televised live on Channel 5. Others cited the difficulties that non-locals might have in travelling on a work day as a reason to expect the crowd number to be down from Saturday. In the end a very respectable 1,978 clicked through Bury’s turnstiles and were suitably entertained.

Manager Marginson made just the single change to his starting eleven from the Padiham match; the unlucky Orr making way for the return of a, fit again, Steve Torpey. Orr was relegated to the bench. One of Saturday’s subs, William Ahern, missed this one through the injury picked up against Padiham giving a first opportunity for Simon Cardon to make an appearance, albeit starting on the bench.

A frantic start to the match as firstly Rory Patterson thundered a shot into the side netting and then Barrie George was called into early action to save low down to his left. Barrie then had to react quickly to pick up the loose ball as an Eccleshall attacker threatened. This all within the first 2 minutes of the match.

On 4 minutes Rob Nugent headed in a Torpey freekick only to see the ‘goal’ ruled out for offside. Less than a minute later the ball was again dispatched into the Eccleshall net but this time the goal stood. Nicely worked too, Chadwick looped a clearance forwards towards the left flank up by the corner flag. Jos Mitten controlled it and then worked a bit of space before crossing. Mark Rawlinson was alive to the possibilities and made up ground to get onto the end of the cross. He calmly side-footed the ball home, on the volley, beyond Whiting in the Eccleshall goal and into the bottom left corner. 1-0.

On 11 minutes Nugent again threatened, this time seeing his goalbound header, from another corner kick, headed off of the line. United continued to press and had several decent opportunities but couldn’t stretch their lead until just before the half hour mark. Tony Coyne went on a surging run, in the inside left channel and was crudely brought down 25 yards out from goal. After the referee carded the miscreant, Ray Notice, Steve Torpey strode up and struck a sweet, sweet left footed shot up and over the wall and into the top left hand corner direct from the freekick. A really well taken effort. 2-0.

The lead could well have been pegged back to a single goal soon after as firstly Nugent then Chadwick dwelled in possession. Ultimately Danny Wagg stole in for Eccleshall but his low effort was expertly saved by George in the home goal at the expense of a corner kick. Immediately after the corner kick was cleared United carved another opening, George took a freekick from the edge of his area and sent the ball directly to the opposite penalty area where Mitten moved in menacingly. The big number 9 saw his stabbed effort beat the goalkeeper but strike the outside of the right hand post.

On 37 minutes the 3rd goal arrived, finally Nugent’s persistence over the last two matches was rewarded. A perfect Torpey corner from the left side was met majestically by Nugent with his header arrowing into the same top left corner as had Torpey’s freekick minutes earlier. 3-0.

The returning Torpey’s excellent contribution was ended at halftime as he was replaced by Orr. Orr was quick to make his mark by scoring the FC United 4th goal but not before Eccleshall had pulled one back themselves.

46 minutes and a mix up in the backline left a clear run on goal for an Eccleshall attacker. He made no mistake, giving Barrie George no chance. 3-1. Straight from the restart United restored the 3 goal lead. Patterson did well on the right before driving a strong low cross into the danger area. Aidie Orr connected at the far post to continue his perfect record of scoring in every FC United of Manchester league match so far. 4-1.

On 53 minutes Rawlinson got his second, this being another side-footed volley with Patterson again the provider. Rory beat the Eccleshall rightback for pace and then stood up a cross to the far post that Rawlinson emphatically netted from close range. 5-1.

Number 6 was a sweet strike again from Orr and only a couple of minutes after the 5th. A speculative ball was looped forwards. Orr used his pace to get to the ball first as it dropped into the area near to the penalty spot. The former Manchester City trainee expertly controlled the dropping ball and then carried it forward a couple of strides before calmly rolling it beyond the keeper and into the net. 6-1.

At this stage FC United took their foot of the gas a bit and Eccleshall, to their credit, had a few good moments although on 69 minutes Mitten had the ball in the Eccleshall net only to be ruled offside. Soon after and United went down to 10 men with all 3 subs on the pitch Patterson picked up a dead leg and, after struggling on for a few minutes, was encouraged to sit out the last 15 minutes by Margy and his staff. The man with no name acquitted himself very well again and will have impressed mainly with his excellent vision and range of passing tonight.

The scoring was completed by Ryan Gilligan on 88 minutes with a nice solo effort. He played himself through the visiting backline to find himself one on one with Whiting. A calm, low shot went in via the inside of the left post and the goal was allowed to stand despite the linesman indicating offside. Referee Lamb overruled on the basis that Gilligan’s ‘pass’ was not really a pass as he ran onto, and collected it, himself therefore none of his teammates were ‘active,’ therefore no offside. 7-1.

The only FC United yellow card of the evening was administered in stoppage time as debutant Simon Cardon badly mistimed a challenge.
Match sponsors Nochex awarded their Man of the Match award to Rob Nugent. Nugent and Patterson both caught the eye and Mitten certainly deserved a goal to show for his hard work. Torpey was looking sharp as ever and Adie Orr scored 2 off of the bench, all in all another sterling performance from Margy’s men, the final scoreline was not overly flattering, quite a true reflection of the balance of this match, I’d say. For the visitors, Mark Silverstone stood out as the danger man. He and Gareth Ormes had a good tussle for the duration of this match and the Eccleshall number 8 never gave up despite his side being on the wrong end of a tough scoreline..
Match Report
Wednesday night saw United returning to Gigg Lane for their second home fixture of the season. Due to some dramas on the Metrolink system many were still queuing outside the turnstiles as the original kick off time approached. The match officials sensibly decided to delay the match for a quarter of an hour to allow everyone to get into the stadium.


Much debate was heard before the match about the likely attendance for this game. Many expected the crowd to be significantly down as Manchester United’s game was televised live on Channel 5. Others cited the difficulties that non-locals might have in travelling on a work day as a reason to expect the crowd number to be down from Saturday. In the end a very respectable 1,978 clicked through Bury’s turnstiles and were suitably entertained.

Manager Marginson made just the single change to his starting eleven from the Padiham match; the unlucky Orr making way for the return of a, fit again, Steve Torpey. Orr was relegated to the bench. One of Saturday’s subs, William Ahern, missed this one through the injury picked up against Padiham giving a first opportunity for Simon Cardon to make an appearance, albeit starting on the bench.

A frantic start to the match as firstly Rory Patterson thundered a shot into the side netting and then Barrie George was called into early action to save low down to his left. Barrie then had to react quickly to pick up the loose ball as an Eccleshall attacker threatened. This all within the first 2 minutes of the match.

On 4 minutes Rob Nugent headed in a Torpey freekick only to see the ‘goal’ ruled out for offside. Less than a minute later the ball was again dispatched into the Eccleshall net but this time the goal stood. Nicely worked too, Chadwick looped a clearance forwards towards the left flank up by the corner flag. Jos Mitten controlled it and then worked a bit of space before crossing. Mark Rawlinson was alive to the possibilities and made up ground to get onto the end of the cross. He calmly side-footed the ball home, on the volley, beyond Whiting in the Eccleshall goal and into the bottom left corner. 1-0.

On 11 minutes Nugent again threatened, this time seeing his goalbound header, from another corner kick, headed off of the line. United continued to press and had several decent opportunities but couldn’t stretch their lead until just before the half hour mark. Tony Coyne went on a surging run, in the inside left channel and was crudely brought down 25 yards out from goal. After the referee carded the miscreant, Ray Notice, Steve Torpey strode up and struck a sweet, sweet left footed shot up and over the wall and into the top left hand corner direct from the freekick. A really well taken effort. 2-0.

The lead could well have been pegged back to a single goal soon after as firstly Nugent then Chadwick dwelled in possession. Ultimately Danny Wagg stole in for Eccleshall but his low effort was expertly saved by George in the home goal at the expense of a corner kick. Immediately after the corner kick was cleared United carved another opening, George took a freekick from the edge of his area and sent the ball directly to the opposite penalty area where Mitten moved in menacingly. The big number 9 saw his stabbed effort beat the goalkeeper but strike the outside of the right hand post.

On 37 minutes the 3rd goal arrived, finally Nugent’s persistence over the last two matches was rewarded. A perfect Torpey corner from the left side was met majestically by Nugent with his header arrowing into the same top left corner as had Torpey’s freekick minutes earlier. 3-0.

The returning Torpey’s excellent contribution was ended at halftime as he was replaced by Orr. Orr was quick to make his mark by scoring the FC United 4th goal but not before Eccleshall had pulled one back themselves.

46 minutes and a mix up in the backline left a clear run on goal for an Eccleshall attacker. He made no mistake, giving Barrie George no chance. 3-1. Straight from the restart United restored the 3 goal lead. Patterson did well on the right before driving a strong low cross into the danger area. Aidie Orr connected at the far post to continue his perfect record of scoring in every FC United of Manchester league match so far. 4-1.

On 53 minutes Rawlinson got his second, this being another side-footed volley with Patterson again the provider. Rory beat the Eccleshall rightback for pace and then stood up a cross to the far post that Rawlinson emphatically netted from close range. 5-1.

Number 6 was a sweet strike again from Orr and only a couple of minutes after the 5th. A speculative ball was looped forwards. Orr used his pace to get to the ball first as it dropped into the area near to the penalty spot. The former Manchester City trainee expertly controlled the dropping ball and then carried it forward a couple of strides before calmly rolling it beyond the keeper and into the net. 6-1.

At this stage FC United took their foot of the gas a bit and Eccleshall, to their credit, had a few good moments although on 69 minutes Mitten had the ball in the Eccleshall net only to be ruled offside. Soon after and United went down to 10 men with all 3 subs on the pitch Patterson picked up a dead leg and, after struggling on for a few minutes, was encouraged to sit out the last 15 minutes by Margy and his staff. The man with no name acquitted himself very well again and will have impressed mainly with his excellent vision and range of passing tonight.

The scoring was completed by Ryan Gilligan on 88 minutes with a nice solo effort. He played himself through the visiting backline to find himself one on one with Whiting. A calm, low shot went in via the inside of the left post and the goal was allowed to stand despite the linesman indicating offside. Referee Lamb overruled on the basis that Gilligan’s ‘pass’ was not really a pass as he ran onto, and collected it, himself therefore none of his teammates were ‘active,’ therefore no offside. 7-1.

The only FC United yellow card of the evening was administered in stoppage time as debutant Simon Cardon badly mistimed a challenge.
Match sponsors Nochex awarded their Man of the Match award to Rob Nugent. Nugent and Patterson both caught the eye and Mitten certainly deserved a goal to show for his hard work. Torpey was looking sharp as ever and Adie Orr scored 2 off of the bench, all in all another sterling performance from Margy’s men, the final scoreline was not overly flattering, quite a true reflection of the balance of this match, I’d say. For the visitors, Mark Silverstone stood out as the danger man. He and Gareth Ormes had a good tussle for the duration of this match and the Eccleshall number 8 never gave up despite his side being on the wrong end of a tough scoreline..

Previous Matches
05/11/2005 0-0 D