Match Reports: UClan teams travel to Greater Manchester
Despite the dismal conditions, two UCLan FC men’s teams were in action on Wednesday (October 16).
First, Will Russell looks back on the first team’s trip to the University of Salford, which ended in a 3-1 defeat:
Two first half goals and an early second half effort were enough for Salford to earn a second victory of the season despite a brilliant goal from midfielder Blessing Igharo.
UCLan’s number eight struck in the first half to draw his side level after Salford took the lead a few minutes before but it wasn’t long before the hosts scored again.
Salford grabbed their third goal early on in an otherwise uneventful second half that was disrupted by numerous stoppages for fouls and injuries.
The conditions were poor throughout as rain hammered down on the players (and the media team) making it difficult for either side to dominate possession.
Salford had the better of the chances and deserved the three points, with a few missed efforts either narrowly over the bar or well saved by goalkeeper Christian Mathews.
UCLan threatened a few times, most notably through Igharo, Max Fearnley, Rob Burrow and Gibraltar international and club captain Evan de Haro, but were unable to convert their chances.
The final ten minutes was better from the visitors as they got the likes of De Haro and Sully Qureshi on the ball more often and kept Salford’s forwards quiet.
It was ultimately too little too late but provides a positive going forward for the Clan as the players regain their match sharpness at the start of the season.
UCLan’s solitary point so far this season is enough to see them fourth in the table ahead of Lancaster Firsts and UCFB Firsts, with a trip to UCFB in Manchester next on the agenda for the team from Preston.
James Ede was at the University of Manchester as they hosted UCLan’s fourths.
The UCLan Men’s 4s kicked off their football season away at Manchester 3s but were resoundingly beaten 3-0.
With a strong number of players continuing from last season, the side would have hoped for a better start to the campaign but, after a fairly even first half, were knocked down by the hosts.
The home side came closest to scoring in the first half as a series of long shots and free kicks kept goalkeeper Archie West busy.
Attacking midfielder Connor Hodgson came closest to opening the scoring for UCLan but his effort was saved by the Manchester keeper.
The second half carried on in similar fashion, as the home side continued to create more opportunities.
West’s saves kept the visitors in the game, but only for so long, as Manchester took the lead after 68 minutes following a corner.
As Harvey Le Brocq’s team started to become frustrated, defender Ben Dalton felt he was unfairly sent off by the referee for a second yellow card, adding to the other two yellow cards picked up by the team earlier on.
Only minutes later, the home side doubled their lead and pretty much ended all hopes for UCLan.
The third and final goal came in the 86th minute after the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts and the ball was fired past West from the spot.
It is three weeks until their next fixture in the Northern Conference Trophy with the opponent still to be decided.
Some players are new to the team and will take time to settle in, which should mean that UCLan 4s will kick on as the season progresses.
UCLan Men’s team’s next fixtures
- UCLan 1s: UCFB 3s (a) – October 30, 1pm (Men’s Northern Tier 3)
- UCLan 2s: Durham 3s (h) – October 23, 2pm (Men’s Northern Conference Cup)
- UCLan 4s: TBC – November 6 (Men’s Northern Conference Trophy)
- UCLan 5s: Manchester 3s (a) – October 30, 5pm (Men’s Northern Tier 5)
