Here’s the round-up of the weekend action for each of FC’s teams.
Men’s First Team
The first team made it two wins in a row as they saw out a 3-2 victory against a spirited Bamber Bridge side on Saturday.
Jay Fitzmartin opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a curling strike into the top corner. The lead was doubled on 28 minutes with Dylan Mottley-Henry capping off a great FC move, firing home from close range. The Reds had chances to extend the lead but were pegged back just before half time through a fantastic long range strike from Jack Baxter.
Adam Le Fondre restored FC’s two goal lead on the hour mark, knocking in Mottley-Henry’s low cross. The game then became rather scrappy, and Liam Brockbank’s goal for the visitors seven minutes from time made for a slightly nervy finish, but the Reds saw out the game well to seal the three points.
The game was also notable for Michael Donohue playing a full 90 minutes for the first time in over a year, and it was like he’d never been away - as a commanding performance saw him crowned man of the match.
Mark Beesley dedicated the victory to the supporters who had made the trip to Bamber Bridge back in October and saw the side thrashed four-nil and reflected on how far we’ve come in those four months.
The result sees the Reds maintain tenth position in the Northern Premier League with Beesley’s side now unbeaten at Broadhurst Park since October.
Women’s First Team
The women hosted Fleetwood Town Wrens at Broadhurst Park on Sunday afternoon, where they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat in a what turned into a fiery encounter.
A goalless first half left it all to play for, but the Reds conceded twice in the space of a few minutes after half time. With around 20 minutes to go, a high tackle on Kim Sands saw a Fleetwood player receive a straight red, before FC pulled a goal back through an Abby Lester penalty with 15 minutes to go.
There was further drama as Fleetwood’s manager was also sent off, but despite late pressure from the Reds, they were unable to find an equaliser.
Sam Irvine’s side will have been disappointed to not get something from the game, but will now regroup for the visit of Crewe Alexandra next Sunday, as they look to escape relegation.
Men’s Development Team
The Men’s Development Team were on the Broadhurst Park 3G on Sunday afternoon as they hosted Bury, and they notched up another victory with a 4-2 win.
A brace from Sam Dunstan and a goal from Ethan Lavelle saw the Reds hold a 3-1 lead at half time. Lavelle then grabbed a second after the break to put the game out of reach.
Callum Greenwood didn’t think his side were at their best on Sunday, but was pleased to get back to winning ways after a couple of draws in recent weeks.
The result sees Greenwood’s side continue their charge at the top of Division A of the North West U21 Development League, extending their lead over Avro - who do have a number of games in hand - to 16 points.
Women’s Development Team
The Women’s Development Team faced Manchester Laces in Wythenshawe on Sunday afternoon where they were defeated 2-1.
Hannah Murray got the goal for the Reds, but the home side ultimately prevailed. Dan Wrigley was disappointed to come away with nothing from the game after a “dominant” display, but will put the result behind them as they look ahead to this weekend.
The defeat sees Wrigley’s side swap positions with Laces, as they drop to third.
Under 17s
The Under 17s faced Bolton County Boys in Middleton on Saturday morning and ended up on the right side of a seven goal thriller, running out 4-3 winners.
The Reds were 3-0 up inside ten minutes through a goal from Damian Anierobi and an Andrew Ndhlovu brace. Bolton hit back with a couple of goals to make it 3-2 and then had the chance to level the score after being awarded a contentious penalty. However, goalkeeper David Shama made a great save and got down to hold on to the ball under pressure from the penalty taker rushing in for the rebound.
Bolton did go on to get an equaliser after the break. However the Reds kept plugging away, and got their reward on 75 minutes as a Jude Miller free kick took a deflection off a defender and wrong-footed the goalkeeper. It was a nervy last 15 minutes with the lads having to dig deep to get over the line.
Martin Morris and Mark Crilly hailed a gritty performance from their side, and particularly the intensity with which the team played throughout the full ninety minutes, to pick a huge three points. They said that it’s still all to play for in the league, along with a cup semi-final coming up in a couple of weeks time.
The young Reds move up to second in the North Bury Junior League Under 18s and remain just two points behind leaders Woodhouses Juniors.
Academy (U19s)
The Academy side returned to action on Wednesday and ran out as 4-2 winners over Chesterfield. First half goals from Bob Jammeh, Cleon Okoro Orumwense and Isaac Adelaja saw the Reds take a 3-1 lead into half time, and a goal shortly after the break from Charles Okpe put the game out of reach.
The win sees Tom Conroy’s side climb to 6th in Division H of the National League U19 Alliance and are now nine points behind leaders Chorley, but with three games in hand.
COMING UP
The Men’s First Team are back at Broadhurst Park again on Saturday (3pm) for the visit of Hebburn Town as they look to make it three wins in a row in the NPL.
The Women’s First Team are also at home again on Sunday (2pm) as they look for a vital three points against Crewe Alexandra Women
The Under 17s have an away fixture at Kingsway Athletic on Saturday morning (11.30am) at Cringle Park in Heaton Chapel
The Women’s Development Team face Mancunian Unity B on Sunday afternoon (2.30pm) at the Manchester Academy in Rusholme
The Academy (U19s) have a week off this week and are next in action away to Buxton a week on Wednesday (26th February)
The Men’s Development Team also have a break and will be back in action in a couple of weeks.