Another great result was had for FC on wedneday night as they met fellow promoted side Flixton at Gigg Lane. The same lineup as saturday's game turned out bar the inclusion of Mike Lomax at right back. Flixton's side included former FC players Ryan Gilligan and more recentlly departed Joz Mitten.
FC fresh from their 7-0 victory against Atherton started in threating fashion. 10 minutes in and a Josh Howard corner was hammered in from 14 yards by Rob Nugent to notch his 2nd of the season. A number of smart saves by Sam Ashton from long range efforts by Flixton kept FC's lead. United were playing alot more compossed than the last time the two sides met. FC made it 2-0 on 34 minutes when Rhodri Giggs latched onto a long clearance from Ashton, He ran down the right wing before nipping inside and expertly slipping the ball under the onrushing Robertson. Giggs celebrated by jumping into the MRE, delighted with his first goal for the club.
The second half saw FC continue theyre pursuit for more goals with Josh Howard coming close with a curled effort on 51 minutes. On 60 minutes Marginson decided it was time to introduce new signing Jamie Phoenix, he came on for Patterson on the left. FC made it 3-0 four minutes later when a blocked effort by Rudd ended up at Howards feet 40 yards out on the right, with Flixton;s keeper out of postition, Howard drilled a shot right in the corner giving the keeper no chance. The scoring was completed 2 minutes later when Phoenix made his first impact some trickery on the left wing resulted in a great cross to an unmarked Giggs in the box, who rose well to node home and make it 4-0. With five minutes to go former FC star Joz Mitten picked up a nasty head injury and got a great ovation from the MRE as he walked past, in respect for everything he had done for the club.
FC United were back in Chorley on Saturday this time to take on Atherton LR. The same lineup as that which took on Glossop turned out, with the exception of Josh Howard taking Aherns place.
It didn't take long for FC to show meant business today, alot of people hadn't took up a place in the stands when Rudd scored a one on one effort in under a minute. 1 minute later and it was 2-0, Rob Nugent finishing of a left wing cross from close range after some godd build up. Within ten minutes the reds made it 3-0, left back Alex Mortimer claiming his first for the club with a looping free kick from 25 yards out off the cross bar and in. Atherton musn't have know what had hit them and the reds in the stands were contemplating a rout. The half hour mark saw Rudd claim his 2nd of the game with a nicely taken finish in another one on one oppurtunity. With six minutes to go to half time, Atherton's keeper Kieman spilt an easy shot from Patterson, which bundled into the path of Howard who had an easy tap in to make it 5-0 at the interval.
The second half saw Atherton play alot more conservatively, trying not to concede further with plenty of men behind the ball. Subs Adie Orr and Steve Smith mustve wished they were on from the start, because despite excellent play by them, the Atherton box was too crowded to create anything now. It wasn't till 10 minutes left of the match till FC added theyre sixth, Carden found some rare space in the box six yards out, to slot home with ease. Carden looked to have scored his second of the game on 90 minutes as his shot from the edge of the area was goal bound, but deflected off Rudd's head who was delighted to complete his first hatrick for United.
7-0 it finished and some of the football on show by the reds this season is just a joy to be able to see.
Monday night saw FC produce another inspiring performance in a 4-1 victory against Glossop.
With a first half played in a fast tempo and with good football played by either side, FC came close to scoring on numerous occasions, with Rudd hitting the post after 3 minutes and Carden missing from point blank range. A goaless first half it remained though but with chances keep coming like that it wasn't to remain that way for long.
It was on 54 minutes FC made the breakthrough, with another superbly struck volley after a cleared corner. United could smell goals and they streamed forward with every intention of getting them. It was only 4 minutes later that they made it 2-0, when Rudd got up to head home a Mortimer corner for his 3rd of the season. The introduction of Smith and Howard to the game straight after this, mesmorised Glossop's defence even more. The 2 subs combined on 61 minutes to play in Carden who finished in customary style with a curled strike off the post. FC were on fire, playing some fantastic flowing attacking football. The introduction of Adie Orr was greeted to a great response from the crowd and his energetic style almost earned him goal within a couple of minutes but his header was saved superbly by the Glossop keeper. FC's fourth and Rudd's fourth of the season came on 71 minutes with a turn and volley to the bottom corner from 12 yards out. Glossop didn't give in though and managed to get a concelation from the penalty spot despite Ashton getting a touch on the resulting spot kick.
A 100% start to season with 14 scored and only the one conceded, you can't ask for better than that.
FC were back at home again on saturday, this time the reds lined up against last seasons FA Vase winners in what could be a tough test. United lined up in the same way as in wednesdays demolishion of Nelson in what was getting to be recognised first 11.
A very well organised Nantwich side started the game enjoying alot of possession but United's back four made sure any atacks were mopped up before a real threat was made. United's first real attack gave them the lead, Rory Patterson continuing where he left off from wednesday with a crisp volley from the centre of the edge of the box to make it 1-0. United played the game in a very proffesional manner, no silly mistakes at all and Nantwich's good possesion play just couldn't find gaps in United's back four. With half time approaching FC were 2-0 up as Simon Carden grabbed his second for the season, throwing himself in between two defenders to slide in for the goal from close range.
The second half saw FC produce more of the proffesional approach, not letting Nantwich get a look in even. It wasn't as if Nantwich were playing too bad, it was just FC controlled any attacks that came at them. Patterson had the chance to grab a second late on with another rifled volley that hit the post, plus man of the match Matty Taylor also came close with a header, but the score finished 2-0.
Another great performance against a solid well organised Nantwich side. It leaves the reds on 9 points top of the league scored 10 and conceded none, some might say Championship winning form!
FC United recorded their second victory of the season on Wednesday emphatically, at a Monsoon hit Gigg Lane. The team lined up with the same line up of the team that beat St Helens 2-0 on saturday, bar the inclusion of Carden in place of Swarbrick.
FC started the game looking in the mood for revenge after Nelson's last minute of extra time sickener to send us out of the division two trophy. Despite the rain pouring down FC played some great passing moves early on, with Patterson and Rudd running down every loose ball. The breakthrough came on 16 minutes when left back Alex Mortimer put a corner in with so much curl that in the Nelson's defender's attempt to stop it going in he only succeded in putting it away himself. 1-0 to FC and Nelson were creating little to threaten Sam Ashton's goal. A two goal cushion was provided just before half time when the impressive Patterson latched onto a through ball from Chadwick to finish cooly and make it 2-0 at half time.
Patterson finished where he left off just as the second half started.as he rounded the keeper and a his shot deflected in off a defender to make it 3-0. Patterson was on fire and was really linking up well with his strike partner Rudd who teed up his hatrick goal, a low volley from the edge of the area leaving the Nelson keeper now change as it fizzed in his near corner. FC were playing some great football and the remaining 25 minutes of the match saw the whole side swarming forward trying to get on the score sheet chances falling to Giggs and the full of running Mortimer. The 5th goal came on 79 minutes, an absolute beautiful strike high into the top corner from Stuart Rudd to claim his 2nd in 2 games, a trademark goal from him that Skelmersdale fans got used to last year. The punishment for Nelson was finnally over on 86 minutes when a pacy cross field run by sub Swarbrick was layed off to Steve Smith in the area to give him the chance to get his first goal for the club and cap off the scoring at 6-0.
A fantastic result for the reds and some great football played, 6 points on the table 8 goals scored and non conceded can't really start a season much better.
FC United kicked their first season in division 1 off with a victory. A pretty scrappy peformance saw the reds record a 2-0 victory with goals from Simon Carden and Stuart Rudd notching for the first time.
A crowd that created a superb atmosphere greeted the reds in St Helens in a first half which saw Rudd hit the cross bar plus numerous other chances for the reds including a header just wide by Chadwick. St Helens offered little in the first half, but started the second half the better of the two sides. The second half saw FC struggle to string passes together and the game frustratinglly looked longed for a 0-0 draw. The introduciton of Simon Carden off the subs bench changed that, within about 5 minutes of coming on he did one of his customery bursts from midfield with a cool finish to make it 1-0 to FC. With 3 minutes to go Stuart Ruud broke his duck for the club after missing numerous chances throughout the game with a slid in effort from close range. A 2-0 victory for FC in what was a frustrating match, but a great result to kick off the season.
On Wednesday FC United played their last friendly before the start of the season, a side made up of youngsters and trialists took on Abbey Hey at Stalybridge Cletic's Bower Fold ground. The fammilliar faces in FC's lineup were Barrie George returning in net, Gareth Ormes at left back, Warren Collier in midfield and Leon Mike upfront. There was also solid game had by Corrie star Sam Robertson (AKA Adam Baldwin).
Abbey started the game better and FC's youngsters looked in trouble, but as the game progressed they started to come into the game. After half an hour or so FC were creating plenty of chances and were looking good, the fact emphasised when a beautifully chipped goal from the right side of the box was scored by Warren Collier.
1-0 to FC at the interval and United had really took a hold against the fellow Northwest Division 1 side. The game was made safe with about 15 minutes to go when Leon Mike scored his first goal for the club with a great long range effort high into the goal. Abbey Hey managed to grab themselves a consolation with the last kick of the game to make the final score 2-1.
After the impressive 4-2 victory against Halifax on tuesday the reds now having to get used to life without Torpey, FC lined up against Leigh RMI on Saturday. The scene of course of FC United's first ever match last year.
Sam Ashton continued in goal, while Gareth Ormes made an apperance at right back with Liam Coyne partnering Dave Chadwick in defence. Rudd and Patterson joined upfront, with a midfield containing Carden, Ahern, Giggs and Steve Smith featuring against his old club.
The game started off quite openly with Leigh possibly having the best of the chances, but they seemed to send most of their efforts the same way as their Rugby League counterparts may have done. Any threats that did come FC's way were well dealt with by Keeper Sam Ashton. The breakthrough came for FC on the half hour mark when Patterson picked the ball up on the right side of Leighs area, rounded a defender before placing his shot into the bottom corner, the LEigh keeper got a touch but only succeded in slowing the balls route to the back of the net. As half time approached the Leigh defence was breached once again, Left Back Alex Mortimer made a venture forward and ended up in the box, the ball broke to him and his cross come shot from close range was turned into his own net by defender Roscoe. Things got better for FC just before the half time whistle, with FC upping the pressure around the box, Patterson nipped in from the left this time ran across the face of the box, before hammering a shot hard and low to the keeper's right from outside the area. A superb strike and it sent FC in at half time 3-0 up.
The second half saw FC make a number of changes as the half went on. The last goal came with 10 minutes to go, when Glendenning misjudged a header back to his goalkeeper and it ended up in the back of the net to make the final score 4-0 to FC.
Another great result against higher opposition for the lads, and can only breed confidence for next weeks big kick off against St Helens.
Though no transfer fee will be paid to FC for the deal there is 25% sell on clause which will come into effect should Torpey leave Halifax for a fee.
Steve leaves FC as a legend to the club and its fans, scoring the clubs first ever goal, and entertaining fans all last season with his no fear attitude on the pitch. Off the pitch he has been a true gent and pleasure for everyone to have met. He leaves FC with the full support of the fans in his future career and the thanks for being a true FC Hero.
Following on from Saturdays trip across the pennines, on Wednesday FC made the trip again, this to play Halifax Town. The reds lined up with possibly theyre strongest lineup of the pre season so far, with plenty of familliar faces, plus the new ones of Ashton again in net joined by Taylor and Mortimer at Right and Left Back respectively.
The reds started the game brightly against a Halifax side made up of mainly trialists and reserve players, but with the inclusion of Sugden who played for Town in last season's playoff final. United's better start paid off on 11 minutes when a corner was noded home by the towering Rob Nugent to give the North West counties side the lead. The makeshift lineup of Halifax were shocked by the pace and attacking vision FC showed, considering the gap in leagues. It wasn't long before FC added another, and they did it in style, Torpey picked the ball up just on the half way line before making a 15 yard run forward before unleashing another of his 25 yard "Torpedos" high into the top corner of Mawson's goal to make it 2-0. It was almost a year to the day that Torpey had scored FC's first ever goal, also in spectacular long range fashion in a friendly at Flixton. Three minutes later and FC were in dream land as a goalmouth scramble left Will Ahern with an easy tap in to make it 3-0 after 20 minutes! Halifax had to try and make inroads to that lead and they did attack with some style but United's defence were on top form and managed to keep them at bay. That was until around 35 minutes when Halifax left winger Neil Prince hit a cross come shot that deflected of Chadwick and into Sam Ahton's goal to make it 3-1. Just as half time was aproaching things got even better for FC, Stuart Rudd looking for his first goal for the club broke into the box only to be hacked down by keeper Mawson. That left the job of slotting home from the spot to Rory Patterson, which he duly did to send his team in at the break 4-1 to the good.
The second half saw both sides ring the changes, and Halifax bringing on a few first teamers to try and salvage a bit of pride. The Halifax changes eventually paid of for them on 65 minutes when sub Forrest combined well with Killeen resulting in him smashing a sweet volley past Ashton giving him no chance, the second quality goal of the game and made it 4-2. The rest of the game saw a bit of sloppy defending by FC and a few tasty challenges as Halifax tried to get another, but it wasnt to be for them and FC completed a fine performance with their second victory of the pre season.