A piece of cake for rampant Reds

United were back to their best as goals from Stuart Rudd and a brace for Rory Patterson saw the Reds comfortably overcome Chorley at Victory Park in front of 1,735 spectators.

Extending their unbeaten league run to five games, Margy’s men produced what was arguably their best all-round team display of the season so far. Despite suffering an initial setback when Dave Brown was injured in the warm-up, the Reds looked composed from the off, with Steve Spencer ably filling the void at centre back.

United got off the mark early thanks to some wonderful link-up play and a slice of good fortune. Nicky Platt’s barnstorming run and one-two with Patterson saw the midfielder’s shot ricochet off Chorley’s keeper Peter Collinge straight to Rudd who picked his spot in the bottom corner.

The Reds should have made it two-nil just a few minutes later when Adam Carden was clean through with only Collinge to beat; the Chorley stopper standing tall to produce a great save from point blank range.

It was no surprise when United did eventually score a second before the break. Nicky Platt was again the creator, knocking down a long clearance from Sam Ashton straight into the path of Rory Patterson who calmly took the ball around Collinge before slotting home.

The Magpies were playing some neat football, with Phil Cooney dangerous down the right flank, but the home side had few clear cut chances thanks to the tireless work of Nicky Platt and Chris Baguley just in front of the back four.

Soon into the second half Chorley made a double substitution up front in a bold attempt to create more openings, but any hopes of a home comeback were put to bed when Patterson scored his second. A flying run from the impressive Jerome Wright saw the speedster gallop into the box before unselfishly sliding the ball square for the young Irishman to notch his ninth goal of the campaign.

The win sees United move up to seventh in the league table, with two more big away games to come against Skelmersdale on Tuesday and Bradford Park Avenue in the FA Trophy next Saturday.

Mark Swanwick

Chorley
1. P Collinge
2. M Clark (Capt.)
3. C Cushion
4. J Holden
5. J Mullineux
6. S Howson
7. P Cooney
8. D German
9. K Mayers
10. D Nolan
11. L Shillito

Subs
12. N Smith (9, 56)
14. S Burke (10, 56)
15. M Eckersley (2, 60)

Booked: Mullineux

FC United
1. S Ashton
2. M Taylor
3. S Roscoe
4. N Platt
5. D Chadwick (Capt.)
6. S Spencer
7. A Carden
8. C Baguley
9. S Rudd
10. J Wright
11. R Patterson

Subs
12. S Carden (8, 64)
14. P Power (9, 75)
15. L George (7, 70)

Scorers: Rudd 13, Patterson 37, 62
Booked: Spencer, Patterson

Attendance: 1,735