FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

Six star Reds sink sorry Nelson

Rory Patterson and Stuart Rudd stole the show with some sublime strikes to sink an ‘armless Nelson six @ nil at a rain-soaked Gigg Lane.

The United forwards had a fruitful evening in front of goal with Patterson claiming a hat-trick and Rudd unleashing a 25-yard rocket to reward the FC United faithful.

Alex Mortimer will claim the opening goal after 15 minutes which went in off the visitors’ Duncan Bennett straight from his corner and Patterson added the second two minutes before half time with a cool finish after racing onto a throughball from David Chadwick.

Nelson barely had time to rally their troops after the restart before Patterson rounded the ‘keeper to slot home the third in off a despairing defender. There was no doubt about Mr Mystery’s third though as he fired home a volley from the edge of the box after being teed up by Rudd.

The former-Skelmersdale striker won virtually everything in the air, could easily have had two goals for himself before half time and created numerous chances for his team mates.

William Ahern was guilty of missing one of those chances when it looked easier to score. Rudd held possession up and slotted the young midfielder a beautifully weighted ball into the box only for him to smash his effort wide.

Alex Mortimer was also unfortunate not to get an outright goal of his own as he made a number of surging runs forward from left back and troubled Davies on more than one occasion.

Eventually, in the 79 minute, Rudd capped another resolute performance with a pile-driver into the top right corner after creating space for himself. Former Leigh RMI midfielder Steve Smith then made it six after being selflessly put through by David Swarbrick who had made a pacey cross field run.

Nelson looked all at sea, causing Sam Ashton few problems in the United goal as Margy’s men kept another clean sheet with an all hands on deck performance. In truth they could have scored more than six.

Match details:

FC United
1. S Ashton
2. M Taylor
3. A Mortimer
4. S Spencer
5. D Chadwick (capt)
6. R Nugent
7. R Giggs
8. S Carden
9. S Rudd
10. W Ahern
11. R Patterson
Subs
12. D Swarbrick (11 64)
14. S Smith (10 73)
15. L Coyne (2 84)

Scorers: Own Goal (No 5) 16, Patterson 44, 46, 62 Rudd 79, Smith 86

Nelson
1. J Davies
2. M Derbyshire
3. D Fullard
4. K Richardson (capt)
5. D Bennett
6. A Haworth
7. R Smith
8. J Coonan
9. C Bradshaw
10. P Barrett
11. N Chapman
Subs
12. D Manzar (11 46)
14. M Barnes (9 61)
15. L Jordan (2 73)

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Rory Patterson.
Website Man of the Match: Stuart Rudd.



First Posted ~ 11:35 Thu 17 Aug 2006
News ID ~ 447
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021