Reds out of relegation zone as Reynolds records first win

FC United moved out of the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon as new manager Neil Reynolds recorded his first victory with a 3-0 romp at Blyth Spartans.

Kurt Willoughby and debutant Tom Peers put the Reds 2-0 up after 21 minutes and Lewis Mansell put to bed an action packed end-to-end game with the third goal in the 89th minute to seal an emphatic victory.

FC travelled to Blyth Spartans attempting to continue an unbeaten record at Croft Park following three previous wins and one draw. It was The Spartans who had the first chance of the game when Daniel Maguire turned in the box and fired a shot that was arrowing into the far corner of the goal but Lloyd Allinson was equal to it and tipped away the shot.

From this moment, FC turned in a fantastic performance of pace, skill and power, looking dangerous with each and every attack. It took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when a ball played in Willoughby who ran into the box to be one-on-one with Peter Jameson, it came as no surprise that the England C team striker rolled the ball past the keeper with coolness personified.

Less than two minutes later, the lead was doubled as superb work from Elliot Simoes found Lewis Thompson, his cross was right onto the head of new boy Peers and he made no mistake nodding the ball home.

The two quick goals seemed to demoralise the home side and FC, with Michael Potts conducting play in midfield and Simoes looking virtually unplayable on the left hand side, continued to create chances.

A flowing move from the edge of their own box saw Simoes yet again beat his full back, he passed to Peers who saw Jameson save his shot. Simoes was again involved two minutes later when he saw a goal bound shot deflected wide.

Simoes yet again was involved in the third good chance in as many minutes when he beat his man Aaron Cunningham and pulled the ball back to Willoughby who side-footed wide when it looked all the world like he would extend the lead.

As expected, Blyth came out blazing in the second half, Jarrett Rivers getting the better of Thompson but blasting the ball wide when he was well placed to pick his spot.

Both keepers were then called into action inside a minute and both produced world class saves. Firstly a cross from the left was met by Louis Laing, but Allinson somehow pulled off a wonderful save, FC broke from the clearance and Simoes saw a shot saved one-on-one by Jameson.

A minute later FC United broke on the right and the ball found Willoughby in the six yard box, he took a touch and fired the ball towards the corner only to see Jameson somehow launch himself and palm the ball away from point blank range in a save that was reminiscent of Peter Schmeichel in his pomp.

Blyth did continue to probe, Maguire shooting at Allinson and then playing in Robbie Dale who took his time and rolled the ball wide. At the other end FC were still playing the perfect counter attacking game, Simoes yet again beating his man before crossing to Peers who saw his shot blocked.

On 82 minutes, Joel Senior attempted to join the goalscoring party with a free-kick that Jameson tipped wide. In the last minute of the game, FC broke with Jamal Crawford who squared the ball to his fellow sub Lewis Mansell who was played in to the keeper. Mansell could be excused if his three misses on Tuesday returned to haunt him but he kept his cool to fire confidently into the bottom corner to make the score an unflattering 3-0.

This was almost the complete FC performance, strong in defence, united in attack and if truth be told, on another day would have won by a larger margin.

Report by Steven Wood

Website Man of the Match - you could perm any from the whole FC United squad who made the pitch but in a, I believe, unique moment I am going to make two awards this week.

Michael Potts - was outstanding in the middle of the pitch, breaking up Blyth play and starting FC United attacks as well as playing a cool captains role.

Elliot Simoes - was virtually unplayable in the first half, skill, pace, balance and a never ending work ethic.