Castle boss keen to tame United hordes

 Source: Staffordshire Sentinel

 TOUGH TASK: Greg Clowes is looking forward to the challenge as Castle travel to FC United of Manchester.

 NEWCASTLE Town must be prepared to take on an "extra man" when they clash with FC United in a first qualifying round tie at Bury's Gigg Lane.

Manager Greg Clowes explained: "The name of FC United does not frighten me in the least, but with 1,500 to 2,000 people egging them on it will be like playing against 12 men."

Newcastle are taking 100 supporters of their own as they play their NINTH cup tie of the season.

"We have played only eight games in the league, so it is quite scary. You would not expect to get to this stage of the season in that situation."

Castle progressed in the Evo-Stik President's Cup in midweek when they recovered from 0-2 down at half-time to beat Market Drayton 3-2 and remain unbeaten.

Clowes said: "I was very pleased because I was keen to stay in the competition.

"We made changes and it was one-way traffic in the second half."

Clowes gave a start to striker Anthony Malbon and was impressed by the Port Vale teenager, who has joined Newcastle on a month's loan.

He said: "Anthony had a good debut. He is prepared to listen and I was pleased with him.

"We are not under pressure from Vale to play him, but it has to work both ways.

"Anthony will start tomorrow on the strength of how he played at Market Drayton."

Castle will be without skipper Paul Donnelly, who is unavailable, so Karl Espley will be handed the task of containing United dangerman Mike Norton.

Norton has scored 10 goals in 13 starts, and Clowes said: "If we don't get to grips with him he will cause us problems.

"We will travel as underdogs, but we will see what we can come up with."

NANTWICH Town are at home to Prescot Cables, having recovered their breath from Wednesday's 6-6 draw at Mickleover in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

"It was an amazing match, the likes of which I have never experienced before," said Dabbers boss Kevin Street.

"We started well, but for a 15-minute spell in the second half they murdered us to lead 6-2. But the one thing I can say about my players is that they never give up.

"They could have crumbled, but the team spirit is superb.

"Had we played for another two minutes I think we would have won.

"But quite clearly we have to improve defensively.

"It was a sloppy game, but had exciting football.

"The Prescot game gives us a opportunity to give the fans something to cheer, and a good cup run can also improve league form."

From Staffordshire Sentinel

(Excerpt from longer article)

LEEK CSOB have landed a plumb pre-season friendly at home to FC United on July 11.

United played their first competitive match at Harrison Park four years ago when a crowd of more than 2,000 watched their 5-2 victory over Old Boys in a North West Counties League Division Two fixture.

United have since won three promotions to reach the UniBond Premier Division

Non-league football: Nantwich defeat promotion rivals

Monday, February 09, 2009, 08:45

UniBond League Premier Division

Nantwich Town 3, FC United of Manchester 0

by Paul Downey

NANTWICH manager Steve Davis praised the contribution of captain Michael Lennon after he fired a brace in a 3-0 victory over FC United of Manchester at the Weaver Stadium.

"He's got better and better," said Davis.

"I showed a lot of faith in him when he wasn't playing as well as he can at the start of the season. He's responded well, and took his goals really well."

FC had the first chance of the game in the first few minutes when Jerome Wright cut in from the left and flashed a powerful effort just over the bar.

Nantwich came back into the game and could have taken the lead in spectacular fashion when Danny Griggs cut inside Danny Warrender and curled an effort just wide of Ashton's goal.

They were awarded a penalty after 13 minutes as Glyn Blackhurst's shot was blocked by the hand of Adam Tong, who was fortunate to receive just a yellow card despite stopping a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Lennon stepped up to send Ashton the wrong way, slotting the ball into the right corner of the net.

The home side could have doubled their lead shortly after when Ashley Carter played in full-back Damian Jarrett, but he fired straight at Ashton from just inside the box.

United could have been level on the 20-minute mark, but Jerome Wright's cross was smashed narrowly wide by Adam Carden

Tong should have received his marching orders on 28 minutes after a blatant body check on Lennon, but wasn't even booked, much to the dismay of Nantwich boss Davis.

United were now having the lion's share of the possession and should have been on level terms six minutes before the break when Simon Garner's cross was headed over by the unmarked Rob Nugent.

Town could have gone into the break further ahead, but for a superb save by Ashton from Blackhurst's superb half-volley.

Nantwich came out the traps early in the second half, and could have scored twice in the space of a couples of minutes when Richard Smith and Blackhurst both had headers cleared off the line.

The pressure finally told just past the hour mark as a superb through-ball by Dave MacPherson found Carter, who broke clear of the defence and slotted home well under the advancing Ashton.

The goal seemed to relax the home side, and they started to create chances at a canter, with the dangerous Lennon and Griggs going close.

They were rewarded with a third goal three minutes from time when Blackhurst robbed United substitute Dave Chadwick and squared to the unmarked Lennon to tap home.

The forward could have completed his hat-trick a minute later, but fired wide from a low Carter cross.

Both teams could have been reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Carden clashed with Lennon by the dugouts, but both players received a yellow for their troubles.

Davies was delighted with the victory, but revealed he had harsh words with some of his players at half-time.

"I didn't think we played particularly well in the first half," he said. "I didn't feel we were using the ball well enough in wide areas.

"In the second half, we came out with a lot more purpose and it showed in the performance."

After a victory over one of their closest rivals, Davies insisted the future is bright for the Dabbers.

"There are plenty of games to go, and we aren't looking past our next game, but we have come a long way in a short space of time and are aiming to get into the Blue Square sooner, rather than later," he said.

NANTWICH: Jones, Jarrett, Tickle, Smith, O'Loughlin, Blackhurst, Carter, MacPherson, Whittaker, Lennon, Griggs. Subs: Francis, Hawthorne, Jack, Southern, Mahmoud.

Attendance: 1,547.