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Maine Road F.C. 2 F.C United 1
Pre-season Friendly (4 August 2009)
(H.T. 1-1)
On one of the better nights of this so-called summer, ‘The Rebels’ came to Brantingham Road to provide Road with their final and stiffest test in the pre-season friendly programme. In our recently spruced-up stadium, it was good to witness a crowd of about 400 in place to watch this mini-Manchester derby.
Being on turnstile and cash counting duty, I only caught glimpses of the game and I am therefore, indebted to others to try and build up a picture of the game. For the first 30 minutes or so, FCUM had the edge, but Road were defending stoutly with Gresty being prominent. Hall was ploughing a determined, if occasionally lonely furrow up front and was doing his best to relieve the pressure. As a portent of things to come, on the 12th minute mark either one of Messrs Carden could have put the visitors one-up. Adam C. shot just wide and seconds later Simon C. headed over. They were however, both instrumental when FCUM finally took the lead on 25 minutes, with a well constructed goal. Adam Carden neatly played in Ben Deegan on the right and some classic wing play resulted in him getting to the bye-line, cutting the ball back back and there was Simon Carden to slot crisply home.
Conceding a goal seemed to galvanise Road and the Blues stepped it up a gear. A little over five minutes after going behind they had equalised, when Neil Chappell found himself one-on-one with Sam Ashton. He won that battle and then drove home a neat left-footer. The game progressed to half-time on a much more even footing as Road grew in confidence.
Road took their improved play into the second half and were starting to cause the Reds defence an increasing number of problems. When Greg Hall broke free, he was very obviously clipped from behind by Chadwick. Neil took the penalty which was saved well by former Road goalkeeper Grant Shenton, but the rebound fell to ‘Chappie’ who took the ball round the goalie and from a tight angle….and this is where it gets interesting….either squeezed the ball home or had it heroically cleared off the line! The referee gave the goal, but many of a blue and red persuasion in close proximity were adamant that the ball had not fully crossed the line. There were one or two other opinions that stated they were convinced the referee got it right. Let us just say, that if, in the absence of technology, the referee had asked for a vote on it, FCUM would have remained on level terms!
FC had made a number of changes in the second half and never quite got back the rhythm they had displayed in the first. Road on the other hand seemed more comfortable in a second 45 minutes that had some scrappier moments. The Blues could well and truly put the game to bed, when James Rothell broke free and with the goalie to beat hit the post. Inevitably, as we entered the final throws, FCUM pressed for an equaliser. Former Road favourite Jerome Wright hit the bar with a glancing header and Blues second –half goalie Lee Williams pulled off a stunning point blank save to keep Road ahead. Road held on and were able to celebrate a famous and first victory over our friendly ‘enemies’.
In all this proved to be a very satisfactory night for Road. A good crowd in a ground that has at last seen a touch of TLC, a super looking pitch, fitness levels looked good and all played well (although perhaps a particular mention for the defence, with Gresty pivotal andfor new boy Eddie Moran, who played with a calm authority). This was all topped off with a win over local rivals. Not a bad way to prepare for Saturday’s start to the season against Nelson!
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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club
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