YOUTHIES BLOWN OUT OF SEMI FINAL
NORTH WEST YOUTH ALLIANCE OPEN CUP SEMI FINAL
Sunday 29th April 2012 @ Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton

FC United of Manchester u-18

Mossley u-18

(2) 4
(1) 2
Bolland (9), Howell (35, 70), Kidd (88)
Bezzina (33 pen), Henderson (90)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Mitch Wood
1
Andrew Farrimond
1
Curtis Hickman
2
Matthew Hassall
2
Callum Harkin
3
Josh Smethurst
3
Mitch Wood
4
Richard Smith
4
Ryan McNee
5
Kial Callagher
5
Greg Street
withdrawn (60)
6
James Brooks (c)
6
Ross Hildersley
7
Sam Howell
7
Justin Schall
8
Connor Naughton
8
Jake Hibbs
9
Theo Kidd
9
Saul Henderson
1
10
Matthew Bolland
10
Adam Bezzina
withdrawn (83)
1p
11
Jonathon Poizer
11
Andy McKernon (c)
Subs: Subs:
12
Luke Walker
12
Kane Joyce
not used
14
Andy Lee
14
Jordyn Fitton
for Street (60)
15
Greg Haywood
15
Prince Amadin
for Bezzina (83)
16
Josh Matthews
16
Shane Bridges
not used
17
Jonathan Beisty
17

 

The Mossley Youth team, which included five players still at school, never got to grips with the hyper windy conditions on the 3G surface at Wright Robinson Sports College in Sunday’s Open Cup Semi Final.

The Lilywhites youngsters faced playing into the galeforce wind in the first half and struggled to make any headway as FC United forced the early pace.

The Rebels youngsters took the lead in the 9th minute when Matthew Bolland fired home after some slack marking allowed the forward too much room.

Mossley’s approach play was laboured and they struggled to get out of their own half with only some surging runs by right winger Justin Schall causing United any problems.

However, in a rare forage forward on 33 minutes Mossley fashioned an equalizer. Greg Street was impeded in the box and Adam Bezzina stepped up to rifle home from the penalty spot.

The lead was short lived however when keeper Curtis Hickman spilled a high ball just two minutes later and Sam Howell was given a simple close range header into an open goal.

Hopes were high that with the wind at their backs Mossley would come back stronger in the second half but this did not materialize.

Ross Hildersley went close with a free kick but a third FC United goal just five minutes after the restart all but killed off Mossley’s waning challenge.

The Rebels, with some quick incisive approach play, tore open the Mossley defence and Sam Howell opened up a two goal lead.

Mossley huffed and puffed but were unable to create any meaningful openings against a well drilled FC United defence and it was no real surprise when they scored a fourth goal two minutes from time. This time it was Theo Kidd who got the better of the Mossley defence to fire home after creating an opening for himself on the left.

Mossley scored a last minute consolation goal when Saul Henderson fired home a 25 yard free kick off the underside of the bar to give the scoreline some respectability but on this occasion the Mossley youngsters were well beaten by a team who showed more desire and will to win than the Mossley lads.

Report by Wizard