Back in the days of August FC played their first ever competetive game against Leek CSOB, a step into the unknown which after many twists and turns ended in a 5-2 victory. Saturday saw Leek arrive at Gigg Lane sitting second bottom of the league, after struggling since that first game of the season.
After the defeat to Flixton on Wednesday, Marginson made changes to the starting lineup, with Melville coming in, in goal, Phil Power, Steve Spencer, Dave Brown, and also Dave Swarbrick making his first start for the club.
United new look lineup took little time to get going and on 4 minutes it was Phil Power who had the chance to knock home from close range from a Torpey cross. Within 8 minutes United's dominance made it 2-0 when a Torpey corner was head across goal to Patterson who had an easy header. It was FC's 100th competitive goal of the season. Patterson was on hand again to make it 3-0 on 19 minutes as good work by Ahern lead to the ball bouncing for Patterson to leave him with a tap in from close range. Things got even worse on 22 minutes for Leek as a good pass by Power found Torpey just outside the area, he carried the ball towards goal before cooly slotting under Leek keeper James hall to make it 4-0. Leek managed to gain a bit of pride back on 35 minutes all be it from a bit of comedy between Melville and Chadwick. Melville went to clear a ball but it only resulted in hitting Chadwick right in the face before bouncing back behind Melville, leaving Bradbury with and empty net to make it 4-1. That bit of pride didn't last long as almost immediately after the impressive Swarbrick on his debut played an accurate through ball to leave Power in on goal and make it 5-1! at half time.
United were really on form, and even better oposition would struggle with them playing like this. The second half saw debut man Dave Swarbrick get a deserved goal after a neat one two with sub Joz Mitten before cannoning the ball in off the left hand post, before saluting the MRE, 6-1 to FC. Leek to there credit did keep the score down till the last ten, but did little to threaten at the other end. On 83 minutes Leek's defence was broken again, this time with Patterson's hatrick goal and the best goal of the game. A United corner was cleared, it fell to Dave Brown who laid it off for Patterson who was 30 yards from goal, he unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot that was in the net before you could blink an eye 7-1. Leek's misery was finnaly completed on 87 minutes when Chris Simms picked up the pieces on a Daz Lyon's shot that hit the post leaving him with a close range finish from the rebound.
Final score 8-1 to the reds and a great way to come back after the disapointing performance against Flixton.
2 Rob Nugent
3 Gareth Ormes
4 Steve Spencer
5 David Chadwick(captain)
6 David Brown
7 Phil Power
8 William Aherne
9 Dave Swarbrick
10 Steve Torpey
11 Rory Patterson
Subs:
12 Daz Lyons
14 Chris Simms
15 Joz Mitten
Attendance 2559
Scorers
Power 4, 36, Patterson 8, 19, 83, Torpey 22, Swarbrick 58, Simms 87