Youth triumph over Northwich

The first chill of autumn arrived at St Brides this Sunday as FC United Youth rolled out the welcome mat to Northwich Victoria and then proceeded to put four goals past them without reply.

The first action came in the second minute as two Northwich free kicks tested the home defence. The first was turned out foir a corner by Jonathan Beisty, the second was headed wide. It was however swiftly taken away as the reds swept into a two goal lead with less than fifteen minutes gone.

A statement of the home intent came in the fourth minute when Matthew Boland picked up a poor clearance as FC pressed forward. His shot arrowed into the bottom corner of the net. Matty B was unlucky not to double the score soon afterwards when a goal keeping clearance dropped to him. He tried to lob the custodian but didn’t get enough height on his shot.

The second goal came in the 12th minute with possibly the move of the match. Jermaine Dre Metz passed along the left touchline to Jonathan Poizer who crossed low into the box. Matty B had the first shot after a Theo Kidd step over which was parried by the keeper but only as far as Matthew Hassall who fired home.

FC dominated possession for the remainder of the first half but didn’t really look like scoring as the visitors put up a sterling defensive performance. The closest they came was on the half hour when Theo’s persistence created a crossing opportunity which Jonathan Poizer headed just over.

The second half started with Andrew Farrimond taking over the goalkeeping duties and soon took a familiar pattern when in the 50th minute Theo, in the right corner knocked the ball back to Alex Stones; his cross was lashed into the net by Matty Boland.

Chances came and went although no-one was on target including an overhead effort by the hat-trick hunter which in truth went tamely wide. Andrew, who had kept five straight clean sheets before his enforced absence was, up to the test when turning over a Northwich free kick in the 70th minute.

The visitors were unlucky not to score in the 80th minute when a corner was headed against the bar, but this merely a cue for the reds to race up the other end. A penalty was awarded when Theo’s run into the box was brought to a clumsy end. Matty Boland completed his tally by sending the keeper the wrong way.

By now the temperature had dropped noticeably and those on the touchline were desperately trying to get life back into their feet, including the ever present but today, under-utilised physio, Debbie Wilson who had nothing to do except perhaps nurse the bruised pride of Andrew Farrimond who was beaten by the cruel bounce of a speculative shot in the 82nd minute. The offer was declined.

The game ended without the scores being troubled although man of the match Boland came close as a goal bound effort was turned wide as the game rolled into injury time. It was another good win for FC if the scoreline wasn’t an entirely fair reflection on the visitors contribution.

FC United of Manchester: Jonathan Beisty (Andrew Farrimond 45 mins), Alex Stones, Jermaine Dre Metz, Richard Smith, Kial Callacher (Asima Matabaro 58 mins), Kyle Cunningham, Matthew Hassall, Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer (Sam Howell 66 mins). Subs not used: Chris Smith & Luke Walker.

Goals: Matthew Boland (3), Matthew Hassall.

Cautioned: Matthew Hassall and Kial Callacher.