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Reserves defeat at Stalybridge

The reserves surrendered their unbeaten start to the league season in a lack lustre performance against Stalybridge, a 3-0 defeat was in truth a fair result in a game where the hosts were the sharper side.

Whilst FC United dominated very early possession, it was Stalybridge who created the first chance, forcing a corner in the third minute and earning a penalty for a push in the fifth. The kick by Darius Osei, whilst firmly struck wasn’t well placed and Chris Taylor made the first of many saves that kept the score down.

Whilst a John Pritchard free kick brought a save from Oliver Martin in the home goal on 10 minutes it lead to a period where Stalybridge dominated the game, forcing several corners and some desperate defending. George Lomax was close to giving them the lead on 22 minutes with a run and a shot which curled just wide of the far post. It took until the last fifteen minutes of the first half for FC to create anything meaningful as first Pritchard again tested Martin and then had their best chance of the game just before the break, Matthew Walwyn getting on the end of a cross but failing to keep his header down.

The second half was completely dominated by Stalybridge, FC United failing to test the home defence at any time. The warning signs were there as early as the 51st minute, Lomax was given time to meet a cross into the box but was well off target with his header. It was only another five minutes before the home team scored. A corner from the right was allowed to drift into the box and Alec Mudimu had time to set himself before firing home from a couple of yards out.

A second goal could have come two minutes later when Lomax pounced on loose defending but whilst his shot cleared Taylor it also cleared the bar. Respite was short lived though as on the hour Sam Staunton Turner made it 2-0. His route to goal was all too easy and whilst Taylor blocked his first effort he was unable to stop the return shot.

From there more goals seemed inevitable and the third, on 72 minutes again owed much to poor defending. A free kick was floated in toward the penalty spot and substitute Kevin Lettany had a free header. Once the third goal went in the game was effectively won and Stalybridge dropped the pace of the game so the last real chance was with ten minutes left, a free kick on the edge of the box was a chance spurned, the initial low drive hit the wall but the follow up shot was too high.

The lads have an early chance to redeem themselves with a visit to Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Wednesday kick off 7:45 pm before the first leg of the Padiham double header weekend, playing away on Saturday (kick off 3pm) before the first teams play at Bower Fold on the Sunday.

Stalybridge Celtic: 1. Oliver Martin 2. Oliver Crowley 3. Nathan Quinlan 4. Sam Staunton Turner 5. Declan McNamara 6. Aaron Fleming 7. Jordan Anderson 8. Alec Mudimu 9. George Lomax 10, Darius Osei 11. Aleem Salim Substitutes: 12. Jordan Leech 14. Oladimesi Odesanya 15. Ben Steer 17. Kevin Lettany

FC United of Manchester: 1. Chris Taylor 2. Charlie Doyle 3. Jacob Holt 4. Michael Brewster 5. Liam Gibson 6. Nathan Chorlton 7. Frank van Gils 8. Dean Hope 9.Matthew Walwyn 10. Craig Linfield 11. John Pritchard Substitutes: 12 Ryan Saxon 14. Gideon Dosunmu 16. Jason Fowles (for 10, 60 mins) 17. Tunde Owolabi (for 9, 60 mins)



First Posted ~ 11:22 Fri 24 Oct 2014
News ID ~ 5790
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021