TEAM NULC: Performance of the Week

This weeks performance of the week saw TEAM NULC's Category 1 Football team travel to Manchester College in high spirits after wanting to bounce back from their defeat last week against Telford College of Arts and Technology (T-CAT).

Played at Sports City Stadium, situated in the shadow of the Etihad Stadium home of Manchester City Football Club. NULC started quick with Aaron Turnock darting down the wing and finding Liam Bate with space in the box, who tried a spectacular bicycle kick which narrowly went over the bar.

NULC kept pressing for the opening goal and it looked as if it had come when Louis Downs picked out a fantastic looping ball over the top which Zach Robinson brought down and found the top corner of the goal with his half volley. Unfortunately the flag had already gone up and his goal was not counted.

Manchester College didn’t really show any threat throughout the first half and the chances that came to the Manchester strikers were dispatched easily by NULC’S centre backs Callum Thomas and Connor Hickman. A frustrating first half for NULC ended 0-0.

An Inspirational team talk at half time from coaches Dave Beswick and Nathan Sutton, rallied NULC as they took an early lead. A long free kick from Lewis Dunn was met by Zak Stanley rising above the Manchester Keeper and nodding the ball into the net.

 

The second goal followed quickly when Evans Ofori dipped inside of a defender in the area and was brought down by an outstretched leg, this led to a penalty which was executed calmly by Louis Downs. Newcastle now realised they had their opponents on the back foot and pushed on to secure a win. The third goal came when Lewis Dunn popped up at the back post to tap in.

 

Manchester’s only chance came when an over the top ball beat Hickman and the Striker headed the ball straight into the hands of NULC’S keeper. Some great flowing football  followed swiftly from NULC starting with the keeper made it 4-0 as Robinson converted a nice half volley which Manchester’s keeper was unable to deal with.

 

With the final whistle about to go the last goal of the game came when some nice movement in the box payed off with Turnock squaring the ball for Dunn to slam home and round off the victory. A fantastic result for NULC winning 5-0, let’s hope they can carry on their success next week at home to Accrington and Rosendale.