Marske lose at home to League leaders FC United of Manchester

Marske United 0 FC United of Manchester 2
Following their excellent comeback in the 2nd half against Stalybridge, Marske manager unsurprisingly opted to retain a 4-4-2 formation, though there a number of changes in personnel. There was a welcome return at centre back for both Andrew May and skipper Adam Wheatley, with Joey Hope rewarded with a start at left back after his excellent performance as a sub on Tuesday. Adam Gell partnered Glen Butterworth in the centre of midfield, with Jason Kennedy given a rest. Curtis Round was on the left of midfield and Josh MacDonald on the right, with Adam Boyes and Connor Simpson up front.
On a windy day the game got off to a fairly slow start though it was the home side that had the bulk of the possession and had the first sight of goal on 13 minutes when Boys pulled the ball out of the air but saw his shot from the edge of the box go just over the bar. At the other end , Ryan Catterick was called into action making a good save at the near post from Regan Linney. FC United goalkeeper Wyll Stanway was called into action for the first time on 22 minutes when Butterworth tried his luck from distance; his shot took a slight deflection and the keeper saved well. The away side were forced into a change on 26 minutes when James Vincent required treatment and was unable to continue and was replaced by Tavonga Kuleya. Two minutes later, the away side took the lead when a long punt downfield from Curtis Jones found Linney, who did superbly to outpace May and ride his tackle before scoring with an angled finish. Marske countered and Connor Smith advanced forward, ignored the overlapping run of MacDonald, but his went high over the bar. The first and only caution of the game arrived on 35 minutes when a poor, lunging challenge from Jack Degruchy earned him a deserved yellow card from referee Kirk Freeth. As half time approached, Catterick was called into action making an excellent double save to prevent Marske going into the break 2 goals down.
Half Time: Marske United 0 FC United of Manchester 1
The first chance of the second half fell to the home side. Hope was fouled 25 yards out but Butterworth’s low free kick drew a routine save from Stanway. With the clock showing 53 minutes, Marske had a golden opportunity to equalise. Round picked up a loose ball and drove into the box; he could have shot but chose to square the ball to the unmarked MacDonald who took his time but placed his shot just too high and over the bar. Four minutes later Marske made their first change with Gell replaced by Dale Hopson who was quickly into the action trying to unlock the FC United defence with passes into the channels. However, on 61 minutes, it was the away side who doubled their lead with Marske again undone by a long ball forward which Catterick came to collect but the ball took a slight deflection and crucially away from the Marske keeper which allowed sub Kuleya to collect the loose ball and shoot between two retreating defenders and into the empty net. Marske’s response was to make a second change with Theo Hudson replacing MacDonald. The hosts continued to press without creating too many cast iron chances. On 67 minutes, Boyes set up Round, who fired just wide with his right foot. Two minutes later, a back header from Andy Halls fell short of Stanway which allowed Boyes to nip in and prod the ball past the Chester loanee keeper but Jones got back to clear the ball just in front of the line. Stanway was then called into action to make a tremendous double save from Butterworth and Wheatley. The ball was cleared only as far as Hopson on the edge of the box and his shot took a deflection and was well saved by Stanway. It was very nearly 3-0 on 72 minutes when Wheatley did superbly to hook the ball off the line after Callum Gribbin had beaten Hope on the left. Marske had another escape on 75 minutes when Michael Potts turned Wheatley and crossed the ball to the unmarked Kuleya who headed over. With 15 minutes left Marske made their final change with Simpson replaced by Guilfyole, who was straight into the action but his 25 yard free kick was comfortably saved by Stanway. Marske ended the game the stronger team with Boyes heading wide from a Smith cross before Hudson did superbly to beat two men on the right, before cutting inside and seeing his shot pushed over the bar by man of the match Stanway.
Full Time: Marske United 0 FC United of Manchester 2
Teams:
Marske: Catterick, Smith, Hope, Butterworth, May, Wheatley, MacDonald (Hudson), Gell (Hopson), Boyes, Simpson (Guilfoyle), Round
Subs (not used): Kennedy, Storey
FC United: Stanway, Degruchy, Armstrong, Vincent (Kuleya), Halls, Jones, Gribbin (Gabbidon), Potts, Linney, Ennis, Wollerton (Palinkas)
Subs (not used): Hall, Lavercombe
In what was a tight game, the difference between the two teams was FC United took their chances and Marske didn’t. FC United keeper Wyll Stanway had a superb game for the away side, making a number of excellent saves, in particular the double save from Butterworth and Wheatley. It was great to see Andrew May back in action for Marske, after being injured for 4 weeks, and he had an excellent game for Marske.