30 January 2017

 

The first team swept aside all-comers in January as they picked up maximum points from their four games in the Lancashire & Cheshire League Division B.

 

First up they faced Tintwistle Athletic Thirds on a murky day at the University Pitches at Wythenshawe.

 

Goals from Mooney and Mbano took them into the break with a 2-1 advantage and they boys managed to grab another two goals in the second half - this time without reply - as they won 4-1 with Mooney completing his hat-trick.

 

Mooney again got his name on the score-sheet in the following week's game against Old Trafford & Gorse Hill FC Seconds at Salford Sports Village.

 

The Irishman's strike meant that honours were even after 45 minutes and a lovely headed effort from captain Wilson secured a hard fought victory for manager McNaught's men.

 

Kingsway Park Sports Centre was the venue for the third league game of the month and the boys were eager to keep that winning feeling against Rochdale Galaxy Firsts. Their run was under threat with the teams sharing a goal each in the first period - Mbano grabbing his second goal of the month.

 

The lads, showing resilience and confidence from their positive start to the year, proved too strong for their hosts in the second half with goals from Ezenekwe, Wilson and a fine strike from Edwards sealing a 4-2 victory.

 

The first team's final game of the month was their home league game against the Old Trafford & Gorse Hill FC Seconds side they beat 2-1 a couple of weeks earlier.

The result was much more convincing this time though as the boys blitzed the opposition with five goals in a storming first half performance. Captain Wilson lead by example with a brace, Mooney and Mbano grabbed their seemingly customary goal and new boy Matthews grabbed his first goal for Village Manchester.

 

Understandably there was not the glut of goals in the second half but the guys did extend their lead with Nunes grabbing his first goal of the calendar year to make the final score 6-0.

 

The four victories in January see the club sit third - a point behind second place with two games in hand.

 

The second team were also in action as they faced regular foes Yorkshire Terriers in the home game of the M62 Unite League at Albert Park, Salford.

 

The team from Leeds have inflicted heavy defeats on the Manchester lads in the two previous encounters this season - both in Yorkshire - and Village Manchester were keen to put on a stronger showing on home soil.

 

The team, used to the conditions and surroundings of Albert Park, named a couple of new boys in the squad and the team did put in a better showing and were disappointed to go into the break 2-0 down.

 

Fatigue and the class of the opposition shone through in the second half however with the visitors scoring three more to take the final score to 5-0.

 

It may not have been the best result for the lads but a week later the same opposition travelled to Liverpool and struck nine past Merseyside Marauders so you really have to hand it to the quality and killer instinct of the Yorkshire lads.

 

It is a busier month for the second team in February as they face three games in three different competitions. The firsts will have three league matches and it's another outing for our veterans team the Village Elders, as they face Birmingham Blaze in a friendly. 

 

January ended with an epic Player of the Month Social starting at New York New York before sampling much of the rest of the Village. Well done to January's winners, Munetsi Mbano for the firsts and Simon McDonald for the seconds. 

 

Words: Rob McPherson

Photos: Steve Joyce, Jay McNaught