Manchester Premier Cup Semi Final - FC United 7 West Didsbury & Chorlton 1
Tue 7th February 2017 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
West Didsbury & Chorlton’s hopes of cup glory were ended in comprehensive fashion at the hands of FC United of Manchester at Broadhurst Park.
An impressive attacking display from the home side saw them build a 4-1 lead by the half hour mark, and although West rallied after the break, and created their fair share of chances, the pace and clinical finishing of the home side proved to be too hot to handle for Steve Settle’s men.
However, while hat tricks by Jason Gilchrist in the first half and substitute Matthew Wolfenden in the second might be the moments from the 90 minutes that catch the eye, the score was perhaps a little harsh on West who fully played their part in an end to end entertaining game.
The first clear cut chance of the game brought the opening goal for the home side, Jerome Wright breaking in space down the left flank and firing in a cross to the far post that left the unmarked Jason Gilchrist with a simple header from close range.
Wright’s forceful runs down the left were a problem for West early on, and a couple of minutes later the FC United wide man once again found space to drive in a cross that George Thomson glanced wide with a header.
West had barely threatened their opponents goal up to that point, but stunned the hosts with an equaliser on 11 minutes.
The ball was played up to Matty Kay in space, and as the FC United defence backed off he picked his spot from 25 yards with a shot into the bottom corner.
The goal gave West confidence, and in their next attack a neat pass from Kay found Rick Gleave in space, and when he drove a low cross into the six yard box, Nic Evangelinos narrowly failed to connect.
But before long FC United were ahead once more, Gilchrist collecting his second goal of the evening with a cracking 20 yarder.
Within seconds Gilchrist nearly created a third goal, winning possession from the West kick off and playing in George Thomson, whose shot beat Dean Williams in the West goal but hit the outside of the post.
But the respite was only temporary for West, as Gilchrist completed his hat trick in the 24th minutes with a simple side foot from six yards.
West struggled to cope with the pacey one touch passing game of their hosts, although it was a long ball forward to the edge of the box that led to FC United’s fourth goal on the half hour, with a neat flick setting up Tom Brown who curled a delightful shot past Williams from the edge of the box.
It had been a torrid opening for West, with the lively Gilchrist in particular being a real handful, and when he played in Thomson for a shot Williams had to react quickly to block his well struck effort.
But West kept going, and after Rick Gleave almost pulled a goal back with an audacious back heel from Scott Mason’s cross, Jordan Poole volleyed wide from 20 yards when a free kick wasn’t dealt with by the FC United defence.
The half time whistle gave West time to regroup, and FC United gave Gilchrist and Thomson the rest of the night off after the break, replacing them with Tom Greaves and Matthew Wolfenden up front.
The early stages of the second half perhaps lacked the end to end characteristics of the first, although the general pattern of play was unchanged, with FC United playing a fast moving one touch game that West struggled to cope with.
But West had their moments, and after Rick Gleave had a chance when a neat through ball from Evangelinos sent him scurrying into the box, just after the hour he again came close when he just failed to connect with a right wing cross from Scott Mason.
Gleave departed the action soon afterwards, being replaced by Jonathan Poizer as the game moved into the final quarter, and shortly afterwards West enjoyed their best spell of pressure in the game, creating three great chances in the space of a minute.
After an Evangelinos shot was blocked by FC United keeper Basso, the ball fell to Matty Kay whose shot was heading for the top corner before Basso tipped it brilliantly round the post.
From the resulting corner, Basso again broke West hearts with another fine save, tipping a cracking header from Evangelinos onto the crossbar.
But FC United reinforced their superiority as the game entered the last ten minutes, and after Jerome Wright had an effort cleared off the line by Jordan Poole, the hosts scored twice in the space of a minute to extend their lead.further.
The same two players combined to create both goals, with left wing crosses from Kieran Glynn being converted by Matthew Wolfenden, the first a far post header and the second a close range tap in.
With two minutes to go, Wolfenden completed his hat trick, collecting a fine through ball from fellow substitute Nathan Lowe before rounding the keeper and firing into the empty net for FC United’s seventh to wrap up a comprehensive win for the Reds.
None the less, the noisy and vociferous West travelling supporters showed their appreciation of their team’s efforts at the end of the game, giving them a rapturous reception that their efforts deserved on the night.
Manchester Premier Cup Semi Final - FC United 7 West Didsbury & Chorlton 1
Tue 7th February 2017 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
West Didsbury & Chorlton’s hopes of cup glory were ended in comprehensive fashion at the hands of FC United of Manchester at Broadhurst Park.
An impressive attacking display from the home side saw them build a 4-1 lead by the half hour mark, and although West rallied after the break, and created their fair share of chances, the pace and clinical finishing of the home side proved to be too hot to handle for Steve Settle’s men.
However, while hat tricks by Jason Gilchrist in the first half and substitute Matthew Wolfenden in the second might be the moments from the 90 minutes that catch the eye, the score was perhaps a little harsh on West who fully played their part in an end to end entertaining game.
The first clear cut chance of the game brought the opening goal for the home side, Jerome Wright breaking in space down the left flank and firing in a cross to the far post that left the unmarked Jason Gilchrist with a simple header from close range.
Wright’s forceful runs down the left were a problem for West early on, and a couple of minutes later the FC United wide man once again found space to drive in a cross that George Thomson glanced wide with a header.
West had barely threatened their opponents goal up to that point, but stunned the hosts with an equaliser on 11 minutes.
The ball was played up to Matty Kay in space, and as the FC United defence backed off he picked his spot from 25 yards with a shot into the bottom corner.
The goal gave West confidence, and in their next attack a neat pass from Kay found Rick Gleave in space, and when he drove a low cross into the six yard box, Nic Evangelinos narrowly failed to connect.
But before long FC United were ahead once more, Gilchrist collecting his second goal of the evening with a cracking 20 yarder.
Within seconds Gilchrist nearly created a third goal, winning possession from the West kick off and playing in George Thomson, whose shot beat Dean Williams in the West goal but hit the outside of the post.
But the respite was only temporary for West, as Gilchrist completed his hat trick in the 24th minutes with a simple side foot from six yards.
West struggled to cope with the pacey one touch passing game of their hosts, although it was a long ball forward to the edge of the box that led to FC United’s fourth goal on the half hour, with a neat flick setting up Tom Brown who curled a delightful shot past Williams from the edge of the box.
It had been a torrid opening for West, with the lively Gilchrist in particular being a real handful, and when he played in Thomson for a shot Williams had to react quickly to block his well struck effort.
But West kept going, and after Rick Gleave almost pulled a goal back with an audacious back heel from Scott Mason’s cross, Jordan Poole volleyed wide from 20 yards when a free kick wasn’t dealt with by the FC United defence.
The half time whistle gave West time to regroup, and FC United gave Gilchrist and Thomson the rest of the night off after the break, replacing them with Tom Greaves and Matthew Wolfenden up front.
The early stages of the second half perhaps lacked the end to end characteristics of the first, although the general pattern of play was unchanged, with FC United playing a fast moving one touch game that West struggled to cope with.
But West had their moments, and after Rick Gleave had a chance when a neat through ball from Evangelinos sent him scurrying into the box, just after the hour he again came close when he just failed to connect with a right wing cross from Scott Mason.
Gleave departed the action soon afterwards, being replaced by Jonathan Poizer as the game moved into the final quarter, and shortly afterwards West enjoyed their best spell of pressure in the game, creating three great chances in the space of a minute.
After an Evangelinos shot was blocked by FC United keeper Basso, the ball fell to Matty Kay whose shot was heading for the top corner before Basso tipped it brilliantly round the post.
From the resulting corner, Basso again broke West hearts with another fine save, tipping a cracking header from Evangelinos onto the crossbar.
But FC United reinforced their superiority as the game entered the last ten minutes, and after Jerome Wright had an effort cleared off the line by Jordan Poole, the hosts scored twice in the space of a minute to extend their lead.further.
The same two players combined to create both goals, with left wing crosses from Kieran Glynn being converted by Matthew Wolfenden, the first a far post header and the second a close range tap in.
With two minutes to go, Wolfenden completed his hat trick, collecting a fine through ball from fellow substitute Nathan Lowe before rounding the keeper and firing into the empty net for FC United’s seventh to wrap up a comprehensive win for the Reds.
None the less, the noisy and vociferous West travelling supporters showed their appreciation of their team’s efforts at the end of the game, giving them a rapturous reception that their efforts deserved on the night.
