Here’s the round-up of the weekend action for each of FC’s teams.
Men’s First Team
The men’s team were defeated 0-1 by Stockton Town on Saturday afternoon. On what was a raucous afternoon at Broadhurst Park, with the fixture hosting ‘United United Day’ which brought together United supporters from different fan groups, the Reds were unable to overturn a fifth minute goal from Stockton’s Joshua Scott.
The best chance for an equaliser came five minutes from time, as a ball from Charlie Ennis played in Adam Le Fondre behind the defence, but his shot from 15 yards out was saved by Nathan Harker who had done well coming out to try and close things down.
Mark Beesley expressed his frustration with the goal that his side gave away, having given the ball away near our own corner flag and failing to react. Reflecting on the game as a whole, Beesley described the team’s build-up play as “not bad”, but lamented the failure to make final balls and passes count.
Under 17s
The Under 17s took another big step towards the league title with a 6-2 victory away at Bolton County Terriers on Saturday morning.
The young Reds are now four points clear at the top of the table, with chasers Roach Dynamos and Woodhouses neck-and-neck, each with a game in hand – that game in hand is against each other this coming Saturday and may well have a big impact on the ultimate destination of the trophy. However, it still remains in FC’s hands with two games left to play, including a huge final match of the season at Roach in a few weeks’ time.
Academy
The Academy side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Buxton at Broadhurst Park on Wednesday afternoon.
The visitors were 1-0 up at the half-time through a goal from Alfie Ellis, but Isaac Adelaja had the Reds back on level terms three minutes after the break. However Ellis’ second goal of the game ultimately settled things and sent the three points back to Derbyshire.
The defeat leaves the Reds in third place in the league, now eight points behind leaders Chorley, who have played a game more. The two sides face each other at Broadhurst Park next week, but the Reds will need help from Chorley’s other opponents over the next few weeks if they are to make it back-to-back titles.
COMING UP
The Men’s First Team look to shake off the defeat against Stockton as they travel to relegation-threatened Mickleover on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
The Women’s First Team face a replay of their Alliance Design & Print Cup quarter-final against Ellesmere Port Town at Broadhurst Park on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).
The Academy look to get back to winning ways as they make the short trip to Oldham Athletic on Wednesday afternoon (1.30pm).
The Men’s Development Team are not back in action until the 15th April when they round off their league season at Atherton LR, and similarly the Under 17s have a couple of weeks off until they face Chadderton on 12th April.