Match Report
A Matthew Wolfenden goal wasn’t enough to prevent FC United losing their final warm up game of the pre-season 2-1 against Trafford on Tuesday night at Shawe View.
Wolfenden cancelled out the home team’s first half strike minutes after the break but a late goal against the run of the second half play was enough to give Trafford the victory.
United began with a strong team, although Mike Norton was absent, most probably in order to try out a side without the skipper who must serve two more games of a three match which resumes this Saturday.
Richard Battersby controlled the game well sitting deep in the centre of midfield as Nicky Platt and Jake Cottrell provided the forward balls from the centre of the park, with the latter putting a free-kick just wide of the Trafford post about half way through the half.
Despite their comfort on the ball in the middle of the park United failed to capitalise on this and turn possession into chances as any goal scoring opportunities of any note were few and far between, with United being forced into deep balls into the box looking for the head of the ever imposing Deegan.
As is often the case in this game the team that doesn’t take their chances is punished and with little over five minutes left in the first half Trafford broke forward and completely against the run of the play took the lead into the break.
After a rousing version of the Pet Shop Boys hit Go West was blasted out at half time, United bean the second half brightly and were level almost immediately as Wolfenden showed good control in the box to get the ball out of his feet and coolly slot home to bring United level.
There were a lot of changes to the Reds’ eleven in the second half and this did interrupt their rhythm as they pushed forward looking to get the goal to put them in the lead.
Of all the substitutes, Steve Torpey deserves a special mention for his performance on the left wing for the latter part of the match. Torpey looked sharp and threatening and seemed to definitely have the fitness and edge needed to make a big impact in the coming season.
But as was the case in the first half, United were left frustrated with efforts just going wide and over throughout the half and were duly punished towards the end of the game as Trafford broke once again and proved they were far more efficient in front of the goal than the men in red knocking in a good ball across the box from the left that gave them the victory.
Despite the defeat United showed good levels of fitness and control during the game and will be looking to be more imposing come 3pm on Saturday as they begin the league season at newly demoted Stafford Rangers.
Report by Craig Phillips
Match Report
A Matthew Wolfenden goal wasn’t enough to prevent FC United losing their final warm up game of the pre-season 2-1 against Trafford on Tuesday night at Shawe View.
Wolfenden cancelled out the home team’s first half strike minutes after the break but a late goal against the run of the second half play was enough to give Trafford the victory.
United began with a strong team, although Mike Norton was absent, most probably in order to try out a side without the skipper who must serve two more games of a three match which resumes this Saturday.
Richard Battersby controlled the game well sitting deep in the centre of midfield as Nicky Platt and Jake Cottrell provided the forward balls from the centre of the park, with the latter putting a free-kick just wide of the Trafford post about half way through the half.
Despite their comfort on the ball in the middle of the park United failed to capitalise on this and turn possession into chances as any goal scoring opportunities of any note were few and far between, with United being forced into deep balls into the box looking for the head of the ever imposing Deegan.
As is often the case in this game the team that doesn’t take their chances is punished and with little over five minutes left in the first half Trafford broke forward and completely against the run of the play took the lead into the break.
After a rousing version of the Pet Shop Boys hit Go West was blasted out at half time, United bean the second half brightly and were level almost immediately as Wolfenden showed good control in the box to get the ball out of his feet and coolly slot home to bring United level.
There were a lot of changes to the Reds’ eleven in the second half and this did interrupt their rhythm as they pushed forward looking to get the goal to put them in the lead.
Of all the substitutes, Steve Torpey deserves a special mention for his performance on the left wing for the latter part of the match. Torpey looked sharp and threatening and seemed to definitely have the fitness and edge needed to make a big impact in the coming season.
But as was the case in the first half, United were left frustrated with efforts just going wide and over throughout the half and were duly punished towards the end of the game as Trafford broke once again and proved they were far more efficient in front of the goal than the men in red knocking in a good ball across the box from the left that gave them the victory.
Despite the defeat United showed good levels of fitness and control during the game and will be looking to be more imposing come 3pm on Saturday as they begin the league season at newly demoted Stafford Rangers.
Report by Craig Phillips
