Second Half

Gary Caldwell made two planned changes at the interval, with Pat Jones replacing Rydel and Luca Woodhouse coming on for Swinkels.

City started the second half with renewed intent. Jones quickly made an impact, finding space on the left and sending in a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded teammates in the box.

Moments later, Sonny Cox drove forward and unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards, which whistled just wide.

FC United pulled one back in style on 51 minutes. Jay Fitzmartin cut in from the left and curled a sensational shot into the top corner from outside the box –  a goal worthy of any occasion.

Pierce Sweeney returned to action after an hour, marking his first appearance since December. Shortly after, Kev McDonald saw a deflected shot fly over the bar, and from the resulting corner, Woodhouse headed over.

Fitzmartin remained United’s main threat and was played in over the top after 68 minutes, but his low strike was easily gathered by Whitworth.

City restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute. A cut-back from the right found Pat Jones in the box, and he calmly slotted the ball low under the keeper.

Four minutes later, it was 4-1. Wareham’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Cox was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.

City closed out the match comfortably, adding more valuable pre-season minutes ahead of a busy weekend to come.

Up Next:

City are back in action with a double-header next weekend: a trip to Plainmoor to face Torquay United on Friday evening, followed by Pierce Sweeney’s testimonial against Swansea City at 12:30pm on Saturday at St James Park. Click here for tickets.

City XI: Whitworth (GK), Dean, Turns (Sweeney 62′), James, Swinkels (Woodhouse 45′), Rydel (Jones 45′), McDonald (Cummins 75′), Cole (Oakes 75′), Brierley, Wareham, Cox

Subs: Phillips, Woodhouse, Perkins

Goals: Cole 3′, Brierley 6′, Jones 71′, Cox 75′

FC United XI: Atherton (GK), Thomson, Weston, Donohue, Misambo, Evans, Fitzmartin, Wisdom, Le Fondre, Buckley, Grivosti

Subs: Ennis, Sidibe, Smalley, Palinkas, Sudworth, Duckworth, Sithole

Goal: Fitzmartin 51′

Attendance: 904

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