FC Humber United 7 Dronfield Town 1
In their opening fixture as FC Humber United, the club began their NCEL Division One campaign against Dronfield Town at the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium.
With the club’s final pre-season at Pocklington Town called off, club manager Mark Maspero had a full week of training with the squad to iron out and finalise plans ahead of the season opener. The hosts made short work in settling into the game after a brief spell from Dronfield in the opening minutes. With FC Humber’s attacking presence building momentum, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, the hosts took the lead in the eighth minute through Harry Watson. A lovely strike from distance to the right of goal, the ball transitioning across to the left, hitting the inside of the left hand post then the right, before finding it’s way in. Wonderful effort from the right back. A confidence began to flow around the home camp after securing an early lead, with a composed approach as the ball was moved around the park, chances began to flow for the hosts as they worked through the motions of the game plan.
At the other end of the field, the defence stood firm when required - early signs of a solid team effort began to seep through. FC Humber had the ball in the net for a second time prior to the half-hour mark, great work from Cam Hall in the build up, however, the effort was chalked off after the linesman flagged for offside. FC Humber’s relentless efforts did pay off in the end, as the lead was extended as the game past the half hour mark. Another thunderous effort from range, this time it was left back Liam Mulligan with the glorious effort, extending an ever-growing presence for the hosts. FC Humber went 3-0 up two minutes after Captain, Liam Mulligan’s sensational effort, a sensational attacking move down the left from saw the ball fizz across the face of goal, midfielder Jamie Phillips charged into the area, calmly tapping in the cross for three-nil. The ever-growing performance from FC Humber offered onlookers an exciting prospect. A relentless FC Humber found the net a fourth time as the game approached half-time. Yet more fantastic build up play from the hosts as Jamie Phillips latched on to yet another superb strike on goal, providing further distance from their opposition. Brandon Burke fired the hosts into a five-nil lead prior to the referee’s half-time whistle, a truly sensational first half from FC Humber.
As the two teams commenced for the second half, Dronfield Town again offered and early flurry from kick-off, however the confidence in the home camp was on the high after that first half. Whilst still offering a calm composed approach to their game, the visitors did manage to pull a goal back as the game past the hour mark. However, FC Humber responded in the best way possible, the hosts sixth and seventh goals came through Cam Hall, the first a minute after Dronfield’s effort, the second, a sublime half volley that ultimately put the visitors to the sword. From then on it was all about game management for FC Humber, two substitutions came to offer a fresher aspect to the remaining minutes after a mammoth effort from the home side. Cam Hall and Louis Blackwell paved the way for Jack Gascoigne and Andy Leech to continue the solid efforts. That was certainly the case for FC Humber, with tiring legs appearing from the opposition camp, FC Humber’s calm, composed approach once more, reigned supreme as the squad offered a superb passing display, occupying possession for good periods as the minutes wore out. Ultimately extinguishing any hopes that remained from the Dronfield camp.
FC Humber United won at home. (05-08-200 SU)
