The Red Round-Up – 3rd March
Here’s your round-up of the weekend action for each of FC’s teams.
Men’s First Team
The first team returned to winning ways up at Workington on Saturday, but it took until injury time in the second half for the Reds to get the decisive goal.
The game as a whole was probably ‘one for the purists’, with both sides struggling to create a clear-cut chance, though the hosts arguably had the best of the first half.
The second half followed a similar vein, but with 15 minutes to go, FC were awarded a penalty as Dec McLoughlin was felled as he got a shot away on goal. Captain Charlie Ennis stepped up to take it but it drew a fairly comfortable save from the Workington goal keeper.
With time running out and it looking like a stalemate was on the card, Guy Hall’s looping cross from the left beat everyone in the middle. However, Matty Grivosti had made a run in behind and found himself unmarked in the box. His first time shot was low and somehow found its way underneath Barrett in the Workington goal, sparking celebrations from the travelling support. A nervy last couple of minutes ensued, but Mark Beesley’s side held on for a first ever win at Borough Park.
Beesley expressed his satisfaction with the result and a clean sheet, and particularly how well we defended as the game progressed – particularly Rudy Misambo, who received the Man Of The Match accolade in his first start with the club.
The result sees Beesley’s Reds remain in eleventh place in the Northern Premier League.
Women’s First Team
The women were without a game this weekend, following last weekend’s important victory over Crewe Alexandra.
FC’s women remain in 10th place, three points above the relegation place, and saw relegation rivals Salford City beaten this weekend – though they still have games in hand over Sam Irvine’s Reds.
U17s
The Under 17s are heading to the final of the combined U17 and U18 League Cup, following an excellent 2-1 victory over Ashton United on Saturday morning.
The young Reds took the lead in the 21st minute when a Daniel Morris corner was headed in at the far post by Fola Fasehun. Shortly afterwards, David Shama made an important block and save to keep the visitors out.
There were some changes made at half time, with Morris having to come off with a foot injury, replaced by new signing Joe Weston, making his debut.
It was a cagey opening to the second half, but the Reds doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Nathan Crilly brought the ball out from the back, playing it forward to Weston who continued his run into the opposition half. After a quick one-two with winger Damian Anierobi, the debutant ran clear of the defence and slotted the ball home.
In the latter stages, the referee issued a number of yellow cards and sent players to the sin bin, which manager Martin Morris did not feel reflected the spirit in which the game was played. It was during this spell, with the visitors holding a 10-man to 9-man advantage, that they halved the deficit with a goal on the break.
However, the Reds held on to seal their place in the final, which will be played on May 13th, against the winner of next weekend’s semi-final between Roach and Unsworth.
Martin Morris and Mark Crilly praised the ‘never-say-die’ attitude from their lads and their dogged defending to hold on to the lead at the end but also pointed the excellent second goal and the quality of football that they play.
Women’s Development Team
The Women’s Development Team travelled to West Didsbury and Chorlton on Sunday afternoon, losing 6-4.
Dan Wrigley made a number of changes to the side following last weekend’s defeat against Mancunian Unity, giving opportunities to some of the younger players in the squad. Despite the result, Wrigley hailed a ‘superb’ performance from his young side and expressed his pride in their resilience. After going 1-5 down with 15 minutes to go, they fought back to 4-5, with the hosts only finally putting the game out of reach with a sixth goal late on.
Dan Wrigley’s side remain in second place in the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League.
Academy (U19s)
The Academy made it two wins on the bounce last Wednesday, as they travelled to Buxton and came home with a 2-0 victory.
A brace from Cleon Okoro Orumwense, with a goal either side of half time, sealed the three points for Tom Conroy’s side. The victory sees the side climb to 4th in the league, and keeps the pressure on the sides above them, as they now sit six points behind leaders Chorley, but with two games in hand.
The Men’s Development Team were without a game this weekend, but a number of players from the squad are expected to feature in this evening’s Fenix Trophy fixture in Podgorica.
COMING UP
The Men’s First Team play their Fenix Trophy quarter-final fixtures this week against Fans United of Montenegro, with the first leg in Podgorica this evening (kick-off 5pm UK time). The game will be broadcast live on the Fenix Trophy TV YouTube channel
The Women’s First Team are back in action as they face Ellesmere Port Town on Sunday (2pm) in their Alliance Design & Print Cup quarter final tie at Broadhurst Park.
The Under 17s have a huge league fixture against leaders Woodhouses Juniors in Royton on Saturday morning (10.30am); a victory would see the Reds leapfrog their opponents and go top.
The Women’s Development Team are without a fixture this weekend and return to action away to AFC Boltonian Ladies in two weeks’ time (Sunday 16th March).
The Academy (U19s) have a league fixture at Stockport County on Wednesday (2pm) but a number of players will also likely feature for the first team in Podgorica tonight.
Similarly, the Men’s Development Team have players in the squad in Podgorica this evening with a chance to show their stuff on the big stage, and will next be back in league action against Chadderton at Broadhurst Park on Sunday (4pm).