FC United of Manchester U21s, UCFB’s Undergraduate Academy Manchester side, visited 1874 Northwich on Sunday and continued their impressive run of form with a 4-1 win.
In the early stages, both sides struggled to find a foothold in the game but a long range effort from Brendan Lilley gave FC United the lead going into the break.
The second half developed a similar pattern to the opening period with both teams unable to keep possession for long stretches of play and few chances being created at either end, but it was Northwich who broke through; finding an equaliser courtesy of their own long range effort.
As both teams tried to assert their own style of play it was FC United that began to create more opportunities and the use of substitutes began to influence the game with Joel Mills coming on for the visitors and causing problems in the box before being brought down for a penalty. Mills then got up to convert the spot kick himself and put the visitors in front.
FC United then began to settle into the game and create further chances with Matt Garbutt getting to the byline and crossing for Mills to score his second of the game from inside the box.
Fran Frangillo then showed his quality by turning and stretching the home defence before calmly finishing to wrap-up the scoring.
UCFB Undergraduate Academy Head Coach Kevin Braybrook: “Today was a challenging game for the group. We again rotated some players and struggled to really develop any rhythm in our passing in the opening part of the game. When we did develop some patterns of play we looked a threat. Northwich worked very hard and caused us some problems and at 1 – 1 there were moments when we needed to defend well.
As the game stretched out we always felt our attacking players and substitutes would create chances and this happened with good individual play and some improved quality in the final third. Overall we are pleased with the result against a good side but recognise we were slightly below our levels in some areas today and will review the game and look to put those things right in preparation for the next match.”
