GNE 0-2 FC United Of Manchester

By Chris Haughton

Glossop North End welcomed defending champions FC United of Manchester to Surrey St in a Manchester Premier Cup fixture.

The visitors had won the competition for the last two seasons and were always going to be tough opposition for North End, considering they are 2 divisions above.

Both sides began the game with good opportunities, Adam Cooper on the right hand side crossed for Sam Madeley but he couldn’t get a clear connection on the ball.

On 8 minutes, Elliot Simoes found space on the edge of the Glossop box but his shot travelled out of the ground. Moments later, Mike Donohue had a similar opportunity but he also managed to find the houses behind the stadium.

Glossop North End v FC United of Manchester 09/10/18 11:59

This wasn’t to continue however. On 16 minutes, Mike Jones drove forward from defence and his long range shot was going into the bottom left hand corner of the net yet Russell Saunders somehow managed to divert the ball wide for a corner, a stunning save by the Glossop keeper.

Saunders was called into action again just 3 minutes later. Donohue played Jack Banister through on goal but Saunders rushed out of his goal to claim the ball before the forward could reach it.

The visitors began to continue their attacking pressure and on 22 minutes should have took the lead. Joel Senior was picked out inside the Glossop box, he cut inside and drilled the ball across the face of the goal yet no attacking player’s could connect.

Saunder’s remained busy as he tipped two curling shots from outside the box over for consecutive corners, the latter shot coming from ex Glossop player Theo Brierley.

On 30 minutes, it was Glossop’s turn to test the opposing keeper. Jack Tuohy’s free kick was cleared all the way back to Adam Cooper, the right back took aim from at least 25 yards and Jordan Perrin made a fantastic save to tip Cooper’s effort onto the cross bar and out for a corner. Was an amazing effort that was denied by an even better save.

The away side took the lead shortly after. Senior crossed from the right towards Simoes at the far post. He cleverly cut back inside to make space for himself, before firing low past Saunders. United led on 33 minutes.

The last clear-cut chance of the half fell to Lewis Mansell. The Blackburn Rovers loanee was picked out by Donohue at the back post, Mansell was at full stretch to volley the ball back across goal yet there were no attackers to convert.

FC United began the second half looking for a second goal, Jack Banister managed to get past Adam Cooper but his cross was interecepted by Russell Saunders before Mansell could pounce.

The away side then should have gone 2-0 up. From a Glossop corner, a clearance the ball fell to Lewis Mansell who used his strength well to brush off a Glossop defender. All he had to do was beat Saunders but his strike cannoned off the cross bar.

Mansell then hit the woodwork for the second time in less than 2 minutes. Joel Senior found space to cross low for Mansell, the striker managed to get a touch but could only find the post.

10 minutes into the second half, Glossop made a double change. Liam Turner and Alex Elliott replaced Cav Coo and Matty Russell. Turner made an instant impact and could have grabbed himself a goal. A ball over the top of the defence put Turner through on goal but under pressure from a defender, he could only fire wide.

With 20 minutes to go, Glossop were pressing heavily for a goal. Boyle had the chance to deliver from a free kick just outside the box. His cross was cleared to Jack Tuohy, he took touch to set himself before firing an bold volley that was destined for the back of the net if it wasn’t for Perrin who made a huge save to tip the ball over the bar.

Saunders had to be alert as Glossop threw players forward as the visitors looked very competent on the counter attack. Donohue’s low fizzing shot was saved by the keeper well, keeping Glossop in the game.

As we approached the end of 90 minutes, play was stopped momentarily due to a drone flying over the pitch. The referee was adamant the game had to be stopped but after a couple of minutes, play was able to continue.

In additional time, Sam Madeley could only find the side netting when through on goal and Ollie Turner also had a shooting opportunity from the right hand side but he dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

Pete Boyle also went close as Perrin turned his shot behind for a corner.

Glossop sent everyone forward for the corner including Saunders as they searched for a last gasp equaliser. However, the corner was cleared to the earlier goal scorer Simoes who sprinted down the pitch, beating a North End defender before tapping the ball into an empty net. The attacker did well under pressure and scored both his and United’s second of the game.

That was the last bit of action during the game with Glossop losing 2-0 to FC United.

Matchday Report by Taran Dhamrait
Photograph by Steve Dyson
Highlights by Bandit Productions - GNEtv