Match Report

An emphatic FC United recorded our first victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, scoring six goals without reply against Stamford at Gigg Lane.

Tom Greaves hit a hat-trick, substitute Matthew Walwyn bagged a brace and Matthew Wolfenden was also on the score-sheet as the Reds got our season up and running in style at the third attempt.

Following a 2-0 defeat last Saturday at Worksop and a goalless draw on Tuesday night against Fylde, the Reds were determined to mark our first Saturday home game of the season with our first goal and three points.

Karl Marginson’s side began the game like a side possessed and could have taken the lead on four minutes when a move down the left saw the ball worked to Chris Worsley who saw his shot just wide.

With this start to the game it was no surprise that FC United took to the lead on nine minutes when a corner was headed into the net at the near post by Greaves, starting for the first time this season.

Stamford didn’t allow this set back to affect them and they almost equalised as a scuffed shot found its way to Daniel Lawlor who saw his first time shot superbly tipped over the bar by James Spencer.

Just before the half hour, the lead was doubled as Ollie Banks strode forward into the Stamford half and spilt the defence with a great ball to Wolfenden who rolled the ball under the keeper. A minute later, the score was 3-0 when a long cross from the left was headed back across goal by Worsley who found Greaves who finished with a superb overhead kick into the roof of the net.

With the score line of 3-0 at half time, it may have been expected that Stamford would allow their heads to drop but it was the visitors who had the first chance of the second half when the impressive Ryan Robbins had a shot straight at Spencer.

Greaves was looking dangerous and looked to have picked up his hat-trick when he headed a Lee Neville cross towards goal but he saw Alex Lynch pull off a good save. A minute later Lynch pulled off another save from a Banks free-kick.

On 54 minutes, Greaves did pick up his hat-trick when he headed home a superb Jerome Wright cross at the far post. From this point, the game went a little flat but it allow Marginson to make some changes with Andy Pearson making his competitive debut at right back and Astley Mulholland having his first minutes of the season.

It was the third substitute, Walwyn, who took his chance to shine with two well taken goals. With 10 minutes left on the clock, a Wright run and cross found Walwyn who saw his first shot saved by Lynch. Walwyn was quick to react to the loose ball and fired it into the net.

In injury time the score was increased to 6-0 when Mullholland played Walwyn in who rounded Lynch and finished with aplomb.

This was a great performance from FC with good flowing football and clinical finishing and it certainly gives Margy a selection headache going into the Bank Holiday derby at Trafford FC.

Report by Steven Wood

Website Man of the Match - Tom Greaves. Not just for his hat-trick but for the superb way he led the line.