United victory

May 15, 2009

FC UNITED of Manchester Youth took on the mighty Nantwich Town in the final of the North West Youth Alliance League’s Neil Thomason Memorial Trophy at Woodley Sports Centre.

United applied early pressure, and it paid off after five minutes when a flick on from John Buckley looped over the keeper for Josh Burke to knock into the net.

United stuck to their plan and drove forward in waves.

A superb John Buckley cross from the right was just too high for Jamie Mack, but Jake Haslam read it and nipped in front of his marker only to miss the target from close range.

Nick Swirad had a shot cleared, then a goalbound shot from Jack Lyons hit Jamie Mack on the line, Mack being unable to get out of the way.

It was all United, and keeper Grant Shenton was a virtual spectator until four minutes from half time when he made a top class save. Nantwich hit the bar from the resulting corner.

The second half was a struggle for United as Nantwich stepped up their game.

The pressure told with 12 minutes left, and it was all to play for.

United simply had to get back into the game, and they had a chance when awarded a penalty for handball. Mack took the kick, but the keeper went the right way to save.

Far from being down, United again raised their game, but only one minute was left when Mark Reeves whipped in a freekick to the near post for Jack Lyons to hook the ball into the net.