Development Squad win at Nelson

FC United resumed competitive action with a Development Squad trip to Nelson. A 4-1 victory with goals from Dean Hope, Frank van Gils, John Pritchard, and Tundi Owolabi saw the reds leave with three points.

FC were quickly on the attack and secured the first corner of the game, action though swung straight to the other end of the pitch as Nelson had two corners in succession. They had the ball in the FC net from the second as a shot saved by Chris Taylor was followed up, but the scorer was quickly ruled to have been offside.

That was to be the only real chance for the home side as the reds took control of the game. A seventh minute free kick was cleared to the impressive Dean Hope whose shot was turned out for a corner. He fared better five minutes later; van Gils cutting in from the right wing pulled the ball back to Hope who fired into the top corner of the net.

For a team containing six debutantes this was a solid all round performance, John Pritchard impressed in a role linking midfield and forward play and was a threat throughout, Nelson Mota seemed to have the freedom of the left wing. It was from one of his crosses that they came closest to doubling the lead in the first half, Dominic Barratt heading against the bar on 23 minutes. Play did settle down in the latter period of the half with few real chances, Mota firing over just before half time being the best effort.

The second half started at a brisk pace as Pritchard was able to pass through the Nelson back line. Mota gave chase and was just pipped by James Wittingham in the home goal in the race to the ball. The pace soon began to have an effect on Nelson as striker Patrick Furey went off with a cramp related problem on 53 minutes.

Four minutes later van Gils doubled the score, a pass from Mota allowed Pritchard to break down the wing and cross into the box, Frank bundling the ball home from close range. It should have been 3-0 on 62 minutes as substitute Owolabi was able to run beyond the defence but overran the ball and allowed the keeper a chance to make the save. Also with 15 minutes to go, Michael Brewster burst through but showing a defenders eye for goal, chose to cross when it seemed easier to score.

The remaining goals came in the closing minutes, as first David Kuba Kuba released Pritchard who finished with a deft chip over the keeper into the net. Nelson got a goal on 87 minutes as a short corner routine paid dividends with a drive across the box which found its way into the far corner. As the game headed into injury time Owolabi made it 4-1. A corner wasn’t properly cleared and he was able to do what he does best with an instinctive strike.

If there were to be a man of the match, this correspondent would vote for Dean Hope, but the other players barely a hairs breadth behind, so apologies to anyone not name checked; you will just have to do even better next time.

The lads return to East Lancashire next week with a trip to Colne on Thursday with a 7:45 kick off.

Nelson FC: 1. James Wittingham 2. Paul Roberts 3. Josh Walne 4. Dominic Mahoney 5. Jake Lloyd 6. Blazey Schmidt 7. Liam Boswell 8. Reece Malone 9. Patrick Furey 10. Adam Nuttall 11. Dean Smallbridge Substitutes: 12. Charlie Carlin 14. Aaron Porter 15. Witold Warchowski 16. Luke Pearson 17. Liam Buckley

FC United of Manchester: 1. Chris Taylor 2. Jason Fowles 3. Charlie Doyle 4. David Kuba Kuba 5. Dominic Barratt 6. Michael Brewster 7. Frank van Gils 8. Dean Hope 9. Brandon Zibaka 10. John Pritchard 11. Nelson Mota Substitutes: 12. Tundi Owolabi 13. Philip Pole 14. Gideon Dosunmu