Men’s First Team
It was a disappointing Easter weekend for the Men’s First Team with defeats at the hands of Whitby Town and Prescot Cables.
Good Friday saw the visit of Whitby Town to Broadhurst Park. FC had a bright start to the game but went behind on 17 minutes to a deflected Aaron Haswell shot. The visitors doubled their lead in the 33rd minute after a defensive lapse saw O’Keefe caught in no-man’s land with Matthew Tymon finding the net with a lobbed finish.
The Seasiders made it three on the hour mark through a superb strike from the edge of the box from Haswell. The Reds fought to get back in it, and got a lifeline with ten minutes to go as Nathan McGinley headed a Josh Miles cross into his own net. A minute later, the Reds halved the deficit with Adam Le Fondre finishing from close range. Despite some good pressure late on, FC were unable to find an equaliser.
Mark Beesley’s side became mathematically safe from relegation following Matlock Town’s defeat by Worksop Town on Saturday, which took some pressure off Easter Monday’s fixture at Prescot Cables, and that ended up being a disappointing display from the Reds.
Cables had the best of the early exchanges, before Dec McLoughlin was shown a red card – FC ‘s first of the season - in the 18th minute. Whilst the challenge was late, the referee initially looked to be giving a yellow, but after conferring with his assistant, produced a straight red.
Cables took the lead in the 25th minute. Debutant Ollie Belizzia made a good initial save but it rebounded straight to Tony Donaldson who headed home. Just as FC were looking like they might be able to get in at half-time only a goal down, Cables doubled their lead. Belizzia did well to keep out Alex McNally’s initial header from a corner, but it fell back to McNally’s feet and he finished from close range.
Any hope that FC had of getting back into the game was extinguished on 62 minutes as Ben Elliott was able to rise completely unchallenged and head home from a corner. FC created a couple of chances late on, with Charlie Ennis coming closest to scoring just before full-time, but his shot from the edge of the area was straight at Calvin Hare in the Cables’ goal.
In contrast to the Whitby fixture, which Beesley described as ‘frustrating’ and pointed out we moved the ball well and created chances, he expressed his disappointment in the performance against Prescot, saying that they ‘wanted it more than us’ and that the red card made no difference to the result.
Women’s First Team
The Women finished off their season with a vital victory against Bury back in March, and have been waiting on results elsewhere to determine what division they will be playing their football in next season.
On Sunday, they finally got the news that they had been waiting for, as Salford City’s defeat at Manchester Unity confirmed FC’s escape from relegation. They will again play in the North West Women’s Regional League Premier Division in 2025/26.
Men’s Development Team
The Men’s Development Team had the chance to seal a maiden league title at Atherton LR last Tuesday evening but unfortunately fell to their first defeat of the season.
LR were awarded a penalty midway through the first half, but it was blasted over the bar. The Reds hit the post twice in quick succession, but it was the hosts who took the lead shortly before the break after FC gave the ball away in a dangerous area and left an easy finish from just inside the box.
The Reds came out after the break pressing for an equaliser, but another defensive lapse midway through the second half left them with a mountain to climb, as LR were able to get clear of the FC back line who were playing high up the pitch and double their lead. Ethan Lavelle pulled one back with around five minutes to go after a goalmouth scramble, but the Reds were unable to find another two goals.
The result leaves them waiting on second-placed Avro who were 7 points back but with three games in hand; a cause which certainly was not helped by Ashton United failing to field a team in the fixture on Sunday, with Avro awarded a walkover.
Whilst Callum Greenwood’s side await the outcome of Avro’s remaining fixtures, they are guaranteed a promotion playoff fixture next month against either Nantwich Town or Kidsgrove Athletic.
Academy
The Academy returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory away at Alfreton Town last Wednesday.
A hat-trick from Bob Jammeh, along with a goal from Kieran Mullery Holland was enough to bring all three points back to Manchester.
The result sends FC up to second in the league, two points behind leaders Chorley, but the Lancashire side have a game in hand. Tom Conroy’s side go into their final game of the season next Wednesday at Halifax Town still mathematically in the title race, but needing Chorley to lose both of their remaining games.
Under 18s
It’s been a waiting game for FC’s Under 18s since victory over Chadderton Park just over a fortnight ago. That result left them one game away from sealing the league, and that fixture comes this Saturday against Roach Dynamos. A point will be enough for Martin Morris and Mark Crilly’s side to celebrate a title at the end of a real nip-and-tuck season between their side, Roach Dynamos and Woodhouses Juniors.
COMING UP
The Men’s First Team finish off their league campaign against Guiseley at Broadhurst Park on Saturday (3pm).
The Under 18s face their potential title-decider against Roach Dynamos in Heywood on Saturday (9am).
The Academy travel to Halifax Town next Wednesday (30th April) to finish off their season.
The Men’s Development Team now await results elsewhere, but likely face a promotion playoff in mid-May.