FC made their first trip accross the pennines on saturday in their fifth pre season game. Their opponents Sheffield FC, the worlds oldest football club founded in 1857
FC played another changed lineup with Liam Coyne making a start at the back and a chance given to Mike Lomax ar rightback, In Midfield Steve Smith and Rhodri Giggs got a chacne to impress from the start, Sam Ashton kept his number 1 jersey after a good performance against Bury.
The two sides were pretty evenly matched early on, not suprisingly with both playing at level 5 of the non league pyrimid.
Leon Mike gave FC's best chance striking the angle of post and bar with a 20 yard free kick, while Sheffield's Townsend missed a sitter.
The first half was looking like being goaless until the final minute when FC's defence mustve been walking if for their half time cuppa when Marsh rose at the far post unmarked to head home and make it 1-0 Sheffield.
Ten minutes into the second half saw FC make a number of changes including Ricardo Brondao after his impressive sub appearance against Bury, Ellesio Tavares plus a return to the side for Barry George.
In pretty poor second half, chances were few and far between, until Sheffield had a chance to go 2-0 up. Liam Coyne brought down Ward in the area with a clumsy challenge, but Barrie George showed us glimpse of last seasons heroics with an excellent save of the resulting sport kick.
FC seemed to rally from this and the resulting last 20 minutes or so, saw United camped in Sheffield's half. Chances fell to Ricardo, Ellesio and Coyne but all failed to hit the back of the net. The goal was confirmed never to come when a last minute dipping shot by player of the season Rory Patterson was tipped over the bar by Sheffield keeper Holmshaw.
Not the greatest game ever and FC's 4th defeat of pre season but plenty of positives to draw from the new personnel on show.
FC's first game against full time legue oppostion came on Wednesday, as they took on their own landlords Bury at Gigg Lane.
A famalliar lineup took the field for FC plus keeper Sam Ashton made his first start for the club. He was joined by Left back Alex Mortimer and Right back Matty Taylor(AKA Eddie Murphy) who have impressed on previous friendlys.
The game kicked off with FC some what supprisingly enjoying alot of possesion, but failed to create the killer passes in the final third. Bury's lineup was not full strength and included alot of reserve players, but the fact they are full time players showed.
Despite a lack of threat by Bury they took the lead on 27 minutes when Rob Nugent misjudged a flighted cross from the left, nodding into his own net to make it 1-0 Bury. United didn't let this disheart them and enjoyed alot more possesion before half time, plus making it hard for Bury to add to their goal.
FC came out possitively in the second half to, but it back fired on them on 49 minutes when a poor pass in midfield by Patterson let Bury show how you capitalise on a counter attack, with a swift break away finished in style with a diving header by Quigley.
FC spent the rest of the game inroducing subs, with Giggs, Orr and Ricardo Brondial making the most impression.
Ricardo Brondial really made an impact when coming on, his no fear approach to the game left Bury's defence struggling, and his pace and flair had the ball in the back of the net only to be ruled out for hand ball.
So 2-0 it finished and an excellent performance by FC against a team of full time players, and even if the lads on the pitch didn't get the result, the Red Army in the stands outsung the Bury faithful all night ;-)
Supporters Direct Cup
Saturday saw FC United win the supporters direct cup for the first time in their history. A crowd of 2,136 turned up at Gigg Lane to take in an engrossing competetive match in glorious sunshine.
The first half saw Wimbledon with much better of the play and creating numerous chances. Theyre pressure was made to count when a corner was struck straight down the middle from close range by Paul Barnes to make it 1-0 to the Dons. FC couldve been 3-0 down atleast though by halftime, but it remained at 1-0.
The second half saw FC come out like a tottally different side, winning the midfield battle with a gritty performance by Carden. This opened the game up for the likes of Howard and Torpey to pull a few strings. It was Torpey who managed to create FC's first goal a superbly weighted cross into the box left captain for the day Dave Brown the chance to head home from six yards out. 1-1 and FC looked like the only team in it at this stage. Soon after a confrontation between Carden and a Wimbledon player resulted in them both being sent off. FC continued to press though, and a late mistake in the Don's defence let Torpey in on goal where he stroked a shot into the top corner from just inside the area. The MRE went estatic as Torpey wheeled away in celebration towards them. A fantastic 2nd half performance against one of the top teams in non league football, the end of the game saw both sets of fans show their respect for each other through various chants, a great game played in superb spirit and another trophy in the cabinet for FC.
FC UNITED keeper Phil Melville had his fill of chips in last night's friendly at Moss Lane, twice being undone by shots which looped above his head, writes Stuart Brennan.
The stopper, seeking a regular first-team place at the expense of Barrie George, had defied the Robins with terrific saves from Colin Little, Rob Lawton and Warren Peyton.
And the Rebels had taken a deserved first half lead against the Conference outfit - four divisions higher - when last season's joint top scorer Rory Patterson was fouled by Peter Band and picked himself up to score from the spot after 39 minutes.
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Crewe
Alty stepped up a gear in the second half and former Crewe and Macclesfield man Little produced a sweet lob to draw his team level on 57 minutes.
Peyton went one better with a clever turn and chip on 64 minutes and sub Lee Hendley made the most of a defensive mix-up to score Alty's third.
A team filled with trialists, and potential new signings took to the field for FC in their first pre season friendly of the summer. With new striker Stuart Rudd starting upfront and the more familliar faces of Torpey, Carden and Chadwick in a lineup that would be completely changed come half time.
Despite failing to create many chances in the first half FC's defence held firm against Radcliffe's pressure, and struck first through last seasons top scorer simon Carden as he struck home after a cross from the Left wing. Radcliffe didn't take long to make up for the goal shy start though and after a drinks break due to the searing heat on 30 minutes Warner took advantage of slack marking at the back post to nod home the equaliser. Radcliffe's turn around was complete on half time as Kelly made it 2-1 with a low drive.
The second half saw a complete change round in personnel, including Swarbrick who managed to level the game at 2-2 with a sweetly struck half volley. The two league gap between the two sides finnaly showed late on though and Kelly managed to scramble home from close range to make it 3-2. It was a good warm up for the team and a great chance to see what some of the new faces are made off.