AFC Telford 2 FC of Manchester 0 (friendly)

Source: Shropshire Star
(the link also contains video from game)

The season is not yet started but already AFC Telford United have one gleaming piece of silverware locked away in the trophy cabinet.

The Bucks eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over FA United of Manchester on Saturday to win the Supporters Direct Cup at the first time of asking.

Telford have never previously received the call to take part in the invitational event but were delighted to take up the offer – and to host the match against the 2006 winners and last year’s runners-up.

One division separates the two sides on the non-League pyramid but the gulf looked far wider.

Andy Sinton’s side were always in control and could easily have won by more than the two goals they did manage.

In the first half alone, Sean Evans and Alex Meechan both hit the bar – the first with a stinging half-volley and the latter with a side-footed shot.

FC United keeper Sam Ashton was also busy, turning a Sean Newton free-kick around the post, tipping a Phil Trainer shot over the bar and making a double save from Meechan and Liam Murray.

The one goal the Bucks did register in the first half came from the boot of Andy Brown after neat approach play from Trainer and Brown.

The second was well taken from close range by Meechan just two minutes into the second half, off a whipped cross by Martyn Naylor.

A flurry of substitutions after that point broke the flow of the game, but Telford were never troubled.

Cameo

Boss Sinton took the chance to look at a few more trialists – Dominic Merella catching the eye on the right while Karl Broadhurst was commanding at the back in his late cameo.

“Things are going very well,” said the Telford chief. “Other than the first 10 or 15 minutes I thought we played some really good stuff.

“They couldn’t have complained if it had been six or seven, to be honest.

“We need to be a little bit more ruthless if I’m to be critical, but at least we’re creating chances and everyone can see the way we’re trying to play.

“We made quite a few changes towards the end, but that will stop after Tuesdays game (away to West Midlands League neighbours Shifnal).”

AFC TELFORD: Young, Naylor (Wooliscroft 68), Newton, Bennett (Rodgers HT), Murray (Broadhurst 80), Killock, Adams (Carey-Bertram 63), Trainer (Davies 86), Meechan (Merella 70), A Brown, Evans (Harrison HT). Subs not used: Richards, Samuels, Maguire.

REFEREE: Steve Martin.

ATTENDANCE: 803

By CHRIS HUDSON