There was plenty of success this past weekend for FC United’s teams.
LAST WEEKEND'S ACTION
Men’s First Team
The first team went up to Lancaster City’s Giant Axe and finally put to bed their record of having never won at the venue, coming away with a 1-0 victory.
A couple of superb saves from Dolly Blues keeper Aiden Dowling from Jay Fitzmartin saw the sides go in level at half time. Just after the hour mark, Dylan Mottley-Henry was brought down in the area with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Adam Le Fondre stepped up and dispatched the penalty to give FC the lead. Conor O’Keefe was called into action around 10 minutes from full time, making a brilliant diving stop to push the ball on the post to preserve the lead.
Mark Beesley hailed an excellent performance from his side, saying that they thoroughly deserved the three points on the day, and was particularly pleased to see a clean sheet.
The result put Beesley’s side up to tenth position in the league and extended the unbeaten run to five games.
Women’s First Team
The women went to Chester FC’s Deva Stadium on Sunday afternoon for an Alliance Design & Print Cup tie.
A 30-yard strike from Mia Hayes just after the half hour mark saw FC go in for the half-time break with the lead. The home side grabbed an equaliser with 7 minutes of normal time to go, which saw the game go into extra time. Just before the whistle went for half-time in extra time, Mia Hayes popped up again to give Sam Irvine’s side the lead from a corner – a lead which they fought strongly to hold on to for the second period of extra time and see themselves into the next round with a 2-1 victory.
‘Battling’ was the word of the day, with Irvine very proud of the spirit shown by his side.
Men’s Development Team
The Men’s Development Team were due to play Mersey Valley in Sale on Sunday afternoon but the match was called off and a walkover awarded to the Reds.
Callum Greenwood’s side remain unbeaten in Division A of the North West U21 Development League and hold a 14 point lead over their closest rivals at the top of the table.
Women’s Development Team
The Women’s Development Team hosted Rochdale AFC Women in Eccles on Sunday afternoon. Despite playing a significant portion of the match with ten players, Dan Wrigley’s side came out with a fantastic 3-2 victory and now sit second in the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League.
Under 17s
The Under 17s were without a match this Saturday but ran out as 4-2 winners over Chadderton Park the previous weekend.
Martin Morris and Mark Crilly's side currently in third place in the North Bury Junior Football League, just two points behind leaders Woodhouses Juniors.
Academy (U19s)
The Academy side haven’t been in league action since late January, last seen beating Alfreton Town 4-1 here at Broadhurst Park
Tom Conroy’s side currently sit in 8th place in their division of the National League U19 Alliance, but with games in hand over the sides above them.
COMING UP
It’s a busy week in store for our teams this weekend.
It’s a double-header of action on the main pitch this weekend as the Men’s First Team welcome Bamber Bridge on Saturday afternoon (3pm) in NPL action. That’s followed on Sunday (2pm) by the Women’s First Team hosting Fleetwood Town Wrens in a real crunch match in the North West Women’s Regional League.
The Academy (U19s) get back to it in the league as they host Chesterfield on the Broadhurst Park 3G on Wednesday (12pm).
The Men’s Development Team continue their title push as they host Bury on Sunday (4.15pm) on the Broadhurst Park 3G.
The Under 17s are in action on Saturday morning (10am) as they play Bolton County Boys Terriers at Cardinal Langley High School in Middleton.
Finally, the Women’s Development Team are away at third-place Manchester Laces on Sunday afternoon (2pm) at the Wythenshawe Sports Ground.