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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > FC United of Manchester (31.10.07)

MATCH REPORT

FC United of Manchester 5 Bamber Bridge 0

Northern Premier League President Cup 1st Round

at The Inn2Gether Stadium (Radcliffe Borough)

Wednesday 31st October 2007

By Joe Marchant

Brig bowed out of the UniBond President’s Cup to a rampant FC United in a game played at Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Park.

Brig boss Phil Entwistle made six changes to the side that played Histon in the FA Cup at the weekend. Out went keeper Terry McCormick, Steve Williams, Adam Tong (to the bench), Glen Steel, Steve Brown and Alex Porter. In came experienced back-up keeper Graham Bennett for his first appearance of the season, Ollie Telford, George Melling, Matt Mahoney, John Carroll and Neil Spencer. The home side had also rested some players.

A power cut meant a half hour delay to kick-off until the floodlights came back on. Brig wore the same strange colour combination as they did at Histon. White home shirts and red away shorts.

FC United kicked-off playing down the slope and a short backpass in the first minute meant Benno had to be quick off his line to boot clear from the onrushing Aaron Burns.

The home side went ahead on 3 minutes after a run down the left and cut inside by JEROME WRIGHT.

Brig had a chance shortly afterwards from a Danny Mahoney free-kick but John Carroll sent his header at home keeper Sam Ashton.

Benno had to be quick off his line to clear again after a defensive error let in former Barrow, Altrincham, Stafford, Southport, Morecambe, NAC Breda and Lancaster striker Peter Thomson.

Shaun Roscoe’s through ball sent Burns clear but Benno came to the rescue again with his third dash off the line to clear.

FC United doubled their lead on 11 minutes. Wright wriggled clear down the left again and his low ball into the box was clinically drilled home by CHRIS BAGULEY.

Benno pulled off a good save from Chris Baguley’s fierce shot on 15 minutes as the home side continued to dominate.

A shell-shocked Brig went three behind after 21 minutes. CHRIS BAGULEY striking a free-kick into the top corner leaving Benno helpless.

Thomson was through again and for the fourth time Benno flew off his line to intercept.

Whilst it was mainly one-way traffic, Brig put together an attack on 23 minutes when Paul McMenemy’s long ball was headed back to Danny Mahoney close in but Ashton cleared.

Jamie Baguley won possession in midfield and his 40-yard effort went very close.

Brig had to make an enforced change just short of the half hour mark when the injured Carroll was replaced by Phil Watson.

Tom Ince shot over from the edge of the box after a Danny corner was cleared to him.

A delightful move involving four quick passes between Jamie Baguley and Burns left the striker to shoot wide.

FC United effectively killed off the game on 31 minutes. Jamie Baguley in midfield to Burns who found NICKY PLATT and he cut in from the right and fired in a shot across Brig’s goalmouth and into the far corner of the net.

Spenny laid the ball off from a throw-in and Ryan Salmon’s shot was blocked.

The half ended with Benno making his fifth saving clearance as Burns bore down on him.
Neither side made any changes at the interval and Brig had a good chance to reduce the deficit on 49 minutes. Tom Ince and Danny combined to put Spenny through – he rounded keeper Ashton only to put the ball past the post.

A crossfield ball sent Wright away down the left and after he cut inside Benno smothered his shot.

The fifth FC United goal arrived on 53 minutes. Chris Baguley’s corner was headed on by Thomson for AARON BURNS to head in at the far post.

The home side made a treble substitution shortly afterwards withdrawing three of the ringleaders of the tormentors – the Baguley brothers and Wright – and this disrupted their rhythm although Burns remained a constant threat.

Brig came back into the game and enjoyed their best period of play, having three attempts in quick succession. Matt Mahoney’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked and Salmon saw one shot saved and the other one beaten out.

Adam Tong replaced Spenny in attack.

FC United produced a fine flowing move on 73 minutes culminating in Burns nipping into the Brig box on the left and bringing a decent save from Benno.

A couple of minutes later Tom Ince’s good work in the middle carved out an opportunity for Tong but his long-range lob was just wide.

Home sub Cayne Hanley broke down the right and his cutback inside saw Thomson fire in a quick shot from the edge of the box the flew a couple of inches over the bar.

Phil Watson made a strong run through the middle and Danny’s shot was saved by Ashton.

A neat exchange of passes between Burns and Dave Swarbrick ended with Benno’s good save from Burns’ strong shot.

Burns found Simon Carden and his cross into the middle was missed by the unmarked Thomson.

There was a bit of nonsense at the final whistle. No complaints about the result. Our fringe team was beaten by a better fringe team who played some good football for most of the game. Brig kept on going to the end and didn’t allow their heads to drop.

Bamber Bridge: Bennett, Telford, McMenemy, Fleming, Melling, M Mahoney, Carroll (Watson 29mins), D Mahoney, Salmon, Spencer (Tong 68mins), Ince. Unused Subs: Banks

Goals: -

Attendance: 585