It was the place where FC United scored their first ever goal back in July and on Boxing day they were back again. Playing a much improved Flixton side from the one that FC beat 5-2 in the friendly, sitting in third place in the table and unbeaten in six games.
It was no suprise to see Flixton start the game in competitive fashion with a couple of good attacks early on that let Barrie George know he needed to be on his game. United didn't take long to show why they top the league table though and on 12 minutes Torpey took on his man on the left before firing in a hard and low cross that Adie managed to stab home near post to make it 1-0. Flixton didn't let this deter them and had most of the possesion in the first half whislt making it hard for United to get their free flowing passing game together. Mid way through the first half Torpey hadn't recovered from an early knock and was replaced by Patterson. Half time and United led 1-0 possibly a little fortunate to do so. The second half started with both United and Flixton having chances at either end to equalise or go 2-0 up respectivley. Eventually on 60 minutes Flixton took advantage of some slack marking leaving Tobin a one on one opurtunity which he duly lobbed over the on rushing George. It was a pretty deserved equaliser and Flixton had many chacnes after that which were wasted even having the ball in the back of the net only to be ruled out for offside. At the other end United will feel hard done by, as Patterson was brought down in the area in what looked a sure fire penalty. Late on United commited men forward looking for a winner with Josh Howard causing the Flixton defence problems on the right. So much so that Flixton's Walker lunged in recklessly on Howard and recieved his marching orders from the referee. Only a few half chances were created by United in the last few pushes forward and spoils were shared. A good result in reflection as United didn't really peform as they can and against a good side it was a good point earned.
It was first sang in the pubs of Leigh back in July. "United are going to Barrow" Well Saturday the day out to Barrow arrived and coach loads of Reds rolled into town. The locals bemused by the number who had made the 100 mile trip, the furthest one so far for FC.
The match was a very scrappy affair in the first half with Holker not giving FC anytime to get their fluent passing game going. Chances were few and far between with half chances coming for both sides, best of which for FC was a half volley by Patterson in a crowded box that just went wide. Not a first half to remember if your a fan of the "United" way of playing.
The second half saw a big improvement in the quality of football, possibly due to FC getting more used to the uneven pitch. United were creating more chances and on 64 minutes the goal came, non other than Simon Carden. He found space on the left side just outside the area, with the ball bouncing he rifled it on the volley right into the bottom left corner. Another superb goal for Carden who has now scored a goal in each of FC's last six games. Holker looked disheartend by the goal after defending stoutly for most of the game. Gaps in their defence now begin to show, on 66 minutes Orr took advantage of a bit of a lucky deflection off a Holker defender that sent the ball looping high into the air and over the despairing keeper to make it 2-0. The rest of the game saw a much more relaxed United trying a few tricks with Orr and Torpey trying a bit of brazillian style link up play.
So 2-0 it finished and a great way to go into christmas, with a 13 point gap at the top of the league. Anyone know how to get to Flixton on Boxing day? ;-)
3154 watched Simon Carden make FC history, as United beat Castleton Gabriels 10-2. He netted an incredible 5 times with some fantastic finishes including a scissor kick and an audacious lob past goalkeeper, Mark Canning.
FC took the lead early with a long range strike from Simon Carden, and soon were 3-0 up with another from Carden and after a good break on the right a calm finish by Josh Howard.
Castleton got a glimmer of hope after a Matthew Russell goal, which included a humorous celebration that received a sarcastic applause from the Manchester Road End for his efforts. This was short lived however as United continued there early dominance of the match with strikes from Orr and Torpey. Then just before half time Simon Carden struck again to claim his first half hat trick with an acrobatic scissor kick after Steve Torpey's free kick hit the bar.
Chants of "We want ten!" as the teams came out for the second half were soon to be fulfilled as FC carried on where they left off with some flowing attacking football. Jonathan Mitten looked a relieved man when he struck in the second half through the keepers legs to make it 7-1, which was followed up with a cheeky lob by Simon Carden which brought his 4th goal of the day and made the score 8-1.
Castleton Gabriels hit back with a second goal by Marcus Smith, but it was nothing more than a consolation as FC United finally gave the fans what they wanted with another goal from Mitten followed by Carden, which saw the score line hit double figures for the first time in FC history.
But the game was marred with a double sending off for each side following an over zealous tackle by Simon Carden on the goalkeeper which lead to a confrontation between Jonathan Mitten and James Gibert, both were shown there marching orders for the dispute.
Joint manager Lee Chadwick felt the sending off to be harsh with only a few minutes left, "The referee should of booked the lad for two footing the keeper in the first place, then he wouldn't of created the problems that he had" and also described the performance as "Men against boys" and felt their performance was worse than the previous fixture between the two teams.
Marginson was pleased with the result and performance and said of Carden, "He's doing what I know he can do, its no surprise to me how many goals he's scoring from midfield, the timing of his runs are first class, and he can definitely finish".
On FC United's new signing (Leon Mike) Marginson added, "He turned his ankle in training on Thursday, we are looking at giving him another weeks training, we will see what the situation is next week at Holker."
Fans need not worry as upon hearing about odds of 250-1 for Marginson to be next Manchester United manager, he said "Wouldn't have it anyway, I'm not going from a club that's not in debt to a club that's going to be near �600m in debt"
"He is quick, has good touch and good awareness. He may be carrying a little bit of weight, but we did fitness tests on the lads on Tuesday night and he did as well as anyone.".
11 goals in ten days, thats how many FC United have put past New Mills recentlly. Saturday was another great performance in which Steve Torpey shined.
It only took 10 minutes for the reds to take the lead after a superb strike by Simon Carden took his tally to ten for the season. Constant United pressure in the first half saw shots go inches wide from Carden, Torpey and Joz Mitten. 38 minutes in and Torpey got the first of his hatrick, a low placed shot close to the keeper that he didn't keep hold of.
2-0 to the reds at half time and looking good for the next round. 10 minutes into the second half and Torpey had got his second, what was surely a cross by Torpey ended up drifting towards goal and over the keeper to make it 3-0. United were well on top and Josh Howard looked in top form. around 20 minutes to go and Torpey broke away inside the New Mills area to cooly slot past the despairing keeper and complete his hatrick. Late on Josh Howard took on 2 defenders and was in perfect possesion to score, but unselfishly knocked across a gaping goal where sub Phil Power was there easily knock home and complete the rout. It was Power's first goal for the club and a fitting place to score it, Maccelsfield the place he arguably had his best days as a player.
Another very convincing performance by the lads and a stunning hatrick by Torpey, the Quarter Finals await against either Blackpool Mechanics or Eccleshall.