If last nights demolition of Halifax is anything to go by we are in for a great season. Karl has been trying out different players and combinations in every pre-season match. He has even been playing two teams in either half of one match just to try out different things and last night he played, what I suspect will be our new look first team for the new season, and it all came together. It was sometimes hard to remember that Halifax is a club 4 divisions above us. Any neutral fans could have been forgiven for thinking that Halifax players had changed shirts with the FC players before k.o.. We didnt just beat Halifax we battered them. Our unit play was good, dominating the midfield going forward and fast to shut Halifax down when defending. Nugent and Ahern took their goals well from open play and Chadwicks pen was clinical, but Torpeys goal was superb. Fit to grace any pitch, he came in from the left and at about 30 yards out and I thought he was just going to cross the ball in. He obviously had other ideas and struck the ball in the net. I had to do a double take and Im still not sure how he pulled it off. I guess fate held it was just his turn to score a blinder. Steve was a key player in last years campaign and will be for this one. I just cant praise our players enough. Keep it up lads.

Next up, WARRINGTON TOWN FC v. FC UNITED XI. We are away again tonight, Wednesday 2nd August 2006, at Cantilever Park, Common Lane, Latchford, Warrington, WA4 2RS. k.o. 7.45pm. Admission is pay on the gate ??6 adults ??3 concessions. DIRECTIONS. Few ways of doing this but heres one. From the M60 ring road take the M56 to Jct 9 and change for the M6 north to Jct 20. Exit the motorway at Jct 20 and take the A50 (Knutsford Road) for Warrington. Continue along the A50 for about 2 miles until you cross over the Ship Canal then take your first left onto Station Rd. Drive to the end of Station Road, about 700 yards, turning left onto Wash lane. Take an immediate second left onto Common lane and Cantilever Park is about 75 yards ahead. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

WARRINGTON 3-2 FC UNITED RESERVES. This was a game with two halves if I ever saw one. Warrington provided us with entertainment from a local dance troop before k.o. and at half time. I didnt mind the dancers but we could have done without the clown of a referee. Our reserves took on an almost full strength Unibond 1st team and in the first half we played them off the park. At half time our reserves Manager Tony Cullen decided to make a few changes and give other players a chance after all its only a friendly right? So the second half starts and one of our players gets injured so Tony sends on a sub. Oh, no said the ref (with his Jobs worth rule book) youve had your subs and so thats that. I wonder how the same ref would have reacted at Flint FC where we substituted the whole team at half time? As a result we played nearly all the second half with 10 players and after further injury finished with only 9 players. Not to surprisingly the match descended into a farce with FC losing their shape and fans left laughing in disbelief. In the end it was a hollow win for Warrington and bad day for fair play. Still it was a laugh. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Oops, re the Halifax match. Make that a Rory Patterson pen with David Chadwick deflecting in their Neil Princes cross. Also, tonight, our U18s are playing a friendly at Cheadle Heath Nomads, Norbreck Avenue, Cheadle Heath, SK8 2ET. k.o. 6.45pm. Entre to this match is free. Everyone welcome.

Next up, LEIGH RMI v. FC UNITED. Tomorrow, Saturday 5th August 2006, we are going back to Leigh to once again taking on our first ever opponents at Hilton Park, Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, WN7 1RN. k.o. 2.00 pm. Admission. ??8 Adults, ??3 Concessions pay on the gate. DIRECTIONS. From the M60 exit Jct 14 taking the A580 west for about 8 miles until you reach the A579. Turn right onto the A579 and continue for about 2 miles passing through a roundabout onto Atherleigh Way (part of the A579). The ground is then about 70 yards on the right. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Good look to Steve At Halifax.
He was a big factor in last seasons amazing success. I would have liked to see him carry on with us, but am confident we have the players to fill his boots.