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Nick Swirad scoring shocker

Defensive stalwart Nick Swirad scored his first ever goal for FC United and Jamie Mack got four as the youth team romped to a 5-1 victory over Leigh Genesis at St Bride’s Field in another superb showing in the North West Youth Alliance League.

Leigh who were beaten by bottom club Lancaster City in their previous game were determined to make up for that and took the lead after just 15 seconds as confusion reigned in the FC defence, Gary Burnett charged down a poor clearance to find himself alone in the penalty area for a simple tap in.

Leigh then went on to dominate possession for the first 20 minutes, without any further threat as United tried to clear their heads.

The first chance for FC United didn’t come until the 25th minute when Jamie Mack shot wide as good work down the right fashioned the chance for him. Midfield possession continued to be the order of the day until just after the half hour mark.

A Leigh break was repelled when a shot from David Hill was smartly turned round the post for a corner by Grant Shenton. Quite often that would be enough for a moment of self congratulation, but Grant conscious of his error for the Leigh goal, caught the corner and swiftly threw the ball up to the half way line for Jamie Mack.

The FC captain continued the forward movement running down the right wing, eventually being forced to check back by Leigh defenders.

That was merely a blip in his progress as he burst through them and shot across the keeper and in at the far post. There was, however, little else to show for either side as first half endeavours ended with the score 1-1.

The second half began in much the same way as the first, with the only chance in the first ten minutes being when Toby Iloba tried to chip the ball over Adam Spencer in the Leigh goal but with little height or power on the shot it was an easy catch.

The turning point came in the 55th minute when Mack got his second goal. Jack Lyons playing out on the right wing fired a cross into the box and as it bobbled around it came out to John Buckley.

His fierce drive was splendidly turned onto the bar by Spencer, however it came back out and when Spencer pounced on the ball it was judged that the last touch, from a Leigh player was a back pass. A free kick was awarded to FC seven yards out in the middle of the box. This was touched backwards by John Buckley to Mack who slid a low shot underneath the eleven man wall as they raced off the goal line, desperate to get anything in the way.

The confidence Leigh had gained from their lightning start then clearly vanished as FC completely dominated the remainder of the game. Mack completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute as FC broke down the left. The ball forward saw him beat an offside trap, run in to the box and shoot under the advancing keeper.

It was 4-1 in the next attack as FC forced a corner. The ball into the box was not dealt with by Leigh although when Mack stabbed the ball into the goal it was the third or fourth effort they had thrown bodies in the way of.

The scoring was completed in the 81st minute when Swirad fired home from around 12 yards for his first ever goal for FC United.

FC United of Manchester

1. Grant Shenton
2. Ashley Reece
3. Barry Davies
4. Tim Marshall (Cautioned 41 minutes)
5. Nick Swirad (Goal 81 minutes)
6. Andy Lee
7. John Buckley
8. Shaun Williams
9. Tony Iloba
10. Jamie Mack (Goals 34, 55, 72 & 75 minutes) (Cautioned 13 minutes)
11. Jack Lyons

Substitutes
12. Ryan Lyons
14. Kyle McDonagh
15. Gage Eme
16. Mark Reeves
17. Sam Freakes

Leigh Genesis

1. Adam Spencer
2. Lee Crossland
3. Wayne Green
4. Josh Hough
5. Nick Jolly
6. Matt Connah
7. Kevin Smith
8. Rob Spinx
9. Gary Burnett
10. David Hill
11. Matt Lewis

Substitutes
14. Steve Anders
15. Rob Farrington
17. Joe Clayton



First Posted ~ 13:50 Mon 2 Mar 2009
News ID ~ 2104
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021