MEN: Radcliffe Borough 3 FC United 2

Source: M.E.N.

FC United's new look first team lost out in their first pre-season friendly but manager Karl Marginson had plenty to be pleased about.

The new Reserves side picked up a hard earned victory as FC prepare for the season ahead.

FC were beaten 3-2 at Radcliffe Borough’s Inn2gether Stadium, while the Reserves maintained their 100 per cent record with victory over Monton Amateurs by the same score.
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Simon Carden and David Swarbrick were on target for FC United but some lacklustre defending cost them dear as they allowed the home side to sneak a winner late on.

Radcliffe, who play their football two divisions higher than United in the Unibond Premier Division, provided the North West One newcomers with a tough game, but but the Reds were by no means out of their depth.

FC found themselves up against it furing the early exchanges but dug deep and eventually took the lead when Carden fired home first time from a cross as FC hit Radcliffe on the counter.

The goal appeared to settle United and they looked to be in control until Radcliffe caught them cold at the restart with a clever flick on which Scott Warner headed home.

Radcliffe then made it 2-1 but after the break, Swarbrick latched onto a neat through ball to grab a deserved equaliser.

But United's hard work was undone by giving Radcliffe too much room in the box from another corner and allowing Simon Kelly to get the winner and his second goal of the day.

Manager Marginson said: "Considering it is the players’ first run out it wasn’t too bad, but there is room for improvement in some areas.

"Some of the focus went at the back and we’ll have to try to work on that.

"But at this stage, all we can focus on is fitness levels. We haven’t done any work in training yet on things like keeping shape, so that will come in the next few games."