UCFB Etihad Campus Men’s 2nd 6-1 Keele University

Regional Arena, Manchester, 12/10/2017

By Josh Bunting

The UCFB Etihad Campus Men’s 2nd started their season with a 6-1 thrashing over Keele University on a rainy afternoon at the Regional Arena.

Managed by Jake Newell and Ryan Carter-Thompson, the home side started the better as Igor Montero played in Josh Winthrop but he saw his low effort well kept out by Keele keeper Lloyd Murphy.

However, on 15 minutes UCFB did take the lead as constant pressure on the visitors’ goal finally told when Sam Dickov played in Winthrop and he slotted the ball into the net from six yards past the onrushing Murphy.

This goal seemed to give the home side even more confidence and they created another good opening three minutes later as James Ormrad linked up with Saxon Wraith but he fired his effort inches over the crossbar.

Frankie Maguire put in a great shift for UCFB and he nearly made it two as he latched on to a corner but he flicked his header over the crossbar.

However, the second goal did arrive midway through the half as Dickov drilled in a cutback from the impressive Winthrop from close range to the delight of the managerial team.

As Keele were dealing with wave after wave of attacks, UCFB were just inches away from a third as Dickov linked up with Hart before the latter hit a low shot just wide of the target.

UCFB did however grab their third on the stroke of the break as Winthrop was played in before he coolly rounded the keeper before staying composed to slot the ball into an empty net.

Newell and Carter-Thompson would have been delighted in what they were watching, and they nearly had further cause for celebrations just minutes into the second half as Paulo Priaglio played in Winthrop only to see his effort superbly kept out by the reactions of Murphy.

Keele though did not let their heads drop and they nearly pulled a goal back on 54 minutes when Harvey Kidd-Chadwick took advantage of lacklustre UCFB defending before he saw his shot pushed over the crossbar by Olly Taylor.

Three then became four for the home side in difficult playing conditions. Despite the greasy surface slowing the tempo of the game down, it didn’t stop Chris Monk as he was picked out at the back post by Priaglio and he fired his effort across goal and into the net.

Priaglio was putting in a fantastic performance as his constant movement was creating havoc for the Keele defence. He was played through on 67 minutes by Wraith but he was denied by Murphy as he raced off his line to claim the ball bravely at his feet.

UCFB then made it five with 20 minutes remaining, as the superb Maguire was left unmarked from a corner to bundle the ball into the net leaving Murphy with no chance of saving.

However, Keele were to respond three minutes later and put their name on the scoresheet as a floated in free-kick deceived everybody before the ball deflected off a home defender and into the net past the despairing dive of Taylor.

Montero put in an outstanding performance for UCFB, and he nearly grabbed a sixth as Alex Morton saw his effort blocked and the ball rebound out to the edge of the area for the left back to volley just over the top.

UCFB however did grab their sixth late on through Morton as he was played through on goal before firing the ball into the net to seal the three points for the home side kitted out in their traditional blue strip.

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