FC United of Manchester 1
Nantwich Town 3
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

FC United of Manchester 1, Nantwich Town 3
Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division – 14 September 2011
Attendance: 1353
Nantwich made it two wins in a week with an outstanding performance against FC United of Manchester.
Goals from Michael Lennon, Sean Cooke and Niall Maguire gave the Dabbers a well-deserved 3-1 victory at Gigg Lane.
The Dabbers started the brighter of the two sides and Maguire could have given them the lead as early as the second minute, but his 20 yard strike went just over.
United’s best chance of the first half fell to their captain Mike Norton, Nantwich debutant Fraser McLachlan’s poor back pass was intercepted by Norton and only a good save from Jonathon Brain prevented the deadlock from being broken.
Brain was also in action on the stroke of half time as he parried Daniel Grimshaw’s shot from distance wide.
The last kick of the first half should have produced the first goal of the game, Cooke found Ben Mills inside the penalty area but the Dabbers leading marksman’s left foot shot was well saved by James Spencer.
Nantwich broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, a smart turn and shot from Cooke was only parried by Spencer and from the resulting cross by Lennon, Maguire tapped home from close range.
The lead was doubled on the hour mark, a free kick was awarded for a foul on Cooke and the impressive youngster picked himself up to curl the ball into the top left hand corner from 25 yards, leaving Spencer rooted to his spot.
The Dabbers rounded off a fantastic ten minute spell when Maguire caressed Lennon’s pull back into the top left hand corner leaving the large home support stunned and the travelling away support jubilant.
United, who set up back in 2005 in opposition to Malcolm Glazer’s takeover at Manchester United, could have hit back immediately but for the superb Brain. Lee Neville struck a delightful shot which looked to be heading for the top right hand corner but Brain pushed the ball wide.
An interesting last ten minutes was set up as Richard Battersby’s corner was headed home by David Chadwick to make it 3-1.
That goal only turned out to be a consolation though and substitute Rodney Jack should have increased Nantwich’s lead but his shot was well saved by Spencer.
DABBERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Niall Maguire (In a tense first half the central midfielder battled hard and oozed quality at times with his passing. Took his goal magnificently and tightened things up in the latter stages.)
FC United of Manchester: Spencer, Stott, Neville, Platt, Jones, Chadwick, Edwards (Deegan, 45), Carr, Norton ©, Battersby, Grimshaw. Subs not used: Armstrong, Torpey, Roca, Wolfenden.
Nantwich: Brain, Lowe, Solovjvos, Maguire, Moss, M. Bailey, Cooke (JJ Bailey, 82), Flynn ©,Mills, Lennon (Jack, 90+1), McLachlan. Subs not used: Prince, Worrall, Chapman.
Referee: Kevin Haycock
Assistants: Martin Saville and E.Jane Simms

Photo: Fraser McLachlan prepares to intervene

Match report written by Ashley Houghton