Youth up and running
After an interminably long winter break, the young reds returned to St Bride’s for competitive action with a County Cup tie against the Rochdale based youngsters of Heyside FC. The visitors were full of honest endeavour, always trying to play good football but sadly, no match for their hosts who were ruthlessly efficient running out 13-1 winners.
The home side were quick out of the blocks and had several shots at before taking the lead in the 16th minute. Connor Naughton fired a shot at the goal from the edge of the box that was always going to test the Heyside keeper but a deflection by persons unknown to those on the touch line, later claimed to be a limb belonging to Theo Kidd, saw it into the net. The touchline dubious goals committee feel that as he was later to complete a hat-trick, the original shooter should be rewarded.
Three good chances quickly followed as FC sought to take control of the game including a rasping drive from full back Alex Stones from a corner, before the second goal arrived Theo fed Matthew Boland who released Theo with a return pass his persistence paid off as his third shot finally hit the net.
Alex Stones and debutant Josh Smethurst were able to maraud forward in support of the attack and Alex was the supplier of crosses for the next two goals as a header from Matthew Boland and a close range shot from Sam Howell doubled the score. It was 5-0 after 40 minutes when Matthew was fouled in the corner of the box, getting up to take the penalty. The Heyside goal came just before half time when a tackle by James Brookes was judged by the referee to be sufficiently careless, despite touching the ball away from the attacker, to be worth a penalty. The kick was firmly hit into the corner of the goal with Andrew Farrimond going the wrong way.
The visitors used the half time break to gather their thoughts and reorganise tactically, a move that succeed in part because it took another quarter of an hour for FC to add to their lead. The Stones and Howell combination struck again, the latter finishing at the far post. The visitors then began to tire and FC drove home the advantage with a further seven goals. In the 64th minute Theo combined with Stones to get the ball to Matthew Boland who spun neatly on the ball before slotting home to complete his hat-trick and in the next move Luke Walker threaded a pass through to Theo for number eight and Matthew Hassall got in on the act with a nonchalant chip into the top corner for the ninth; three goals in as many minutes.
Heyside always tried to play football but rarely tested the home defence a quality save by Farrimond from a free kick on the edge of the box in the 72nd minute was perhaps their best effort. The only question though, was how many as the lads followed the instructions from the bench to keep playing football. It did take a further ten minutes until Matthew Hassall took the score into double figures with his second attempt when a cross found him with space in the box. Matthew Boland got his fourth of the afternoon shortly afterwards. Alex Stones got his name on the score sheet in the 83rd minute when a shot proved too hot for the keeper to handle and it slipped into the corner of the net. Theo ensured his own hat-trick was formally recorded with two minutes to go, finishing an exchange with Luke Walker.
The Manchester FA website suggests the reward will be a home tie against Mossley, taking place on February 12th but before then Marine and Curzon Ashton are due at St Bride’s as league action recommences. The lads will be keen to ensure that this game is a sign that autumn form is not just a memory.
FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Alex Stones, Josh Smethurst, Richard Smith, James Brookes, Kial Callacher, Sam Howell, Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer. Substitutes: Asima Matabaro, Matthew Hassall, Luke Walker, Chris Smith, Kyle Cunningham.
Goals: Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd (3), Matthew Boland (4), Sam Howell (2), Matthew Hassall (2) Alex Stones.
Cautioned: Connor Naughton and Kial Callacher.
The home side were quick out of the blocks and had several shots at before taking the lead in the 16th minute. Connor Naughton fired a shot at the goal from the edge of the box that was always going to test the Heyside keeper but a deflection by persons unknown to those on the touch line, later claimed to be a limb belonging to Theo Kidd, saw it into the net. The touchline dubious goals committee feel that as he was later to complete a hat-trick, the original shooter should be rewarded.
Three good chances quickly followed as FC sought to take control of the game including a rasping drive from full back Alex Stones from a corner, before the second goal arrived Theo fed Matthew Boland who released Theo with a return pass his persistence paid off as his third shot finally hit the net.
Alex Stones and debutant Josh Smethurst were able to maraud forward in support of the attack and Alex was the supplier of crosses for the next two goals as a header from Matthew Boland and a close range shot from Sam Howell doubled the score. It was 5-0 after 40 minutes when Matthew was fouled in the corner of the box, getting up to take the penalty. The Heyside goal came just before half time when a tackle by James Brookes was judged by the referee to be sufficiently careless, despite touching the ball away from the attacker, to be worth a penalty. The kick was firmly hit into the corner of the goal with Andrew Farrimond going the wrong way.
The visitors used the half time break to gather their thoughts and reorganise tactically, a move that succeed in part because it took another quarter of an hour for FC to add to their lead. The Stones and Howell combination struck again, the latter finishing at the far post. The visitors then began to tire and FC drove home the advantage with a further seven goals. In the 64th minute Theo combined with Stones to get the ball to Matthew Boland who spun neatly on the ball before slotting home to complete his hat-trick and in the next move Luke Walker threaded a pass through to Theo for number eight and Matthew Hassall got in on the act with a nonchalant chip into the top corner for the ninth; three goals in as many minutes.
Heyside always tried to play football but rarely tested the home defence a quality save by Farrimond from a free kick on the edge of the box in the 72nd minute was perhaps their best effort. The only question though, was how many as the lads followed the instructions from the bench to keep playing football. It did take a further ten minutes until Matthew Hassall took the score into double figures with his second attempt when a cross found him with space in the box. Matthew Boland got his fourth of the afternoon shortly afterwards. Alex Stones got his name on the score sheet in the 83rd minute when a shot proved too hot for the keeper to handle and it slipped into the corner of the net. Theo ensured his own hat-trick was formally recorded with two minutes to go, finishing an exchange with Luke Walker.
The Manchester FA website suggests the reward will be a home tie against Mossley, taking place on February 12th but before then Marine and Curzon Ashton are due at St Bride’s as league action recommences. The lads will be keen to ensure that this game is a sign that autumn form is not just a memory.
FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Alex Stones, Josh Smethurst, Richard Smith, James Brookes, Kial Callacher, Sam Howell, Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Jonathan Poizer. Substitutes: Asima Matabaro, Matthew Hassall, Luke Walker, Chris Smith, Kyle Cunningham.
Goals: Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd (3), Matthew Boland (4), Sam Howell (2), Matthew Hassall (2) Alex Stones.
Cautioned: Connor Naughton and Kial Callacher.
First Posted ~ 14:29 Mon 23 Jan 2012
News ID ~ 4009
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021