FC Hanley

After a solid performance during midweek confidence and morale was high as we welcomed a youthful Newcastle side who have been picking up some fine results.
The game itself was a disappointment as our visitors had made a conscious decision to try and leave us with the point they stated with which made for a very dull game ( the weather didn’t really help 🌧️🌧️) but the game did match the weather.
The only goal of the game came via the left boot of Theo Stair as he found himself at a tight angle before he passed the ball into the far corner. If you take the 90 mins to try and make a case for a different result you would be hard pushed as the FC Hanley defence wasn’t really tested and if it wasn’t for the Newcastle keeper who pulled off some impressive saves the score line could have been more convincing.
Fortunately it’s only the result that matters and FC Hanley will be happy with that but there is definitely more in the tank as we look to stabilise the squad which should bring better performances. We have a break now after being battered with fixtures for the last 5 weeks we now have a free weekend which will hopefully give us the time we need to kick on when we return to action.

Matchday 3

A first half to forget for the young lads, but fantastic work to bounce back and put the result right.

After a good start to the game we found ourselves 0-1 up after Ben found Mikey who slotted home. However we did not keep the pressure on and after some mistakes we found ourselves 2-1 down at half time.

Second half began with the intensity and will to put the performance right was there. At 66” we found ourselves level after a free kick by our Head of Football Martyn found the top corner (He did not mean it) 😂 after that our tails we up and we taste the win. It took us until 10 minutes to go until Ben was found from our keeper to slot home. After more pressure looking for a 4th to put the game to bed we earned a penalty at 88” as Mike was fouled in the box, Ben slotted home again. Our final goal came in added time after a ball over the top from Martyn looked to be dealt with by the defender, until striker Josh got on his case, earning himself a 1v1 with the keeper where he slotted home.

A good second half earns us the 3 points and we are now 9 points from 9.

Producing Creative Technicians 💙

FC Hanley stars of the week from our coaching school this morning ⭐️ well done boys 👏🏼 ⚽️

After a poor showing on Saturday a reaction was needed as we made the trip to Wolstanton Utd to finally finish off our chaotic August fixture list.
Our hosts started brightly without really creating anything as it took FC Hanley 10 minutes to get to grips with the game. As the half went on FC Hanley became dominant and it wasn’t a surprise when Theo Stair was shown onto his left foot in the area by the Wolstanton defence, this resulted in the first goal of the game as Stair fired in at the near post. The goal seemed to settle nerves as everyone was running for each other, hunting in packs and winning individual battles and it was a timely flick from Shaun Cave in midfield that put Theo Stair in on goal and as per usual he sat the advancing keeper down and finished into the empty net. The score line didn’t flatter FC Hanley as we could/should have extended the lead before half time.
The second half was surprisingly comfortable for FC Hanley as our host failed to test Zak Hill in the FC Hanley goal. In fact it was FC Hanley who could have really punished our hosts as chances went a begging. What looked a tough game on paper didn’t turn out that way but take nothing away from the FC Hanley performance as it was the best 90 minutes played so far this season.

After plenty of early season action Stafford Town were the visitors for Saturday’s game and with confidence high after back to back wins FC Hanley were looking to keep the momentum going.
From the first whistle the visitors looked sharp and wanted to win every duel and contest for every free ball as FC Hanley found themselves 2 goals behind all from their own doing (poor defending, decision making and communication) As the half drew to its conclusion FC Hanley managed to find a bit of rhythm and created some good chances but weren’t able to take any of them.
With a mountain to climb and our opponents dangerous on the break the second half became a slow and dull game. It took a Josh Bristow long range free kick that embarrassed the goalkeeper as the ball crept through his defences to give FC Hanley a glimpse of an unlikely result. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time for an equaliser and the points were lost.
It’s been a tough start as we try to find the right balance and combinations to start making life a little easier in games.

Yesterday saw us travel to Crewe where we faced Willaston Reserves.

After a dominant first half we were 3-0 up and looked to be cruising, our first goal came from a ball over the top into runners who had beaten the offside trap with the ball then slotted away by Captain Ollie. Our second goal saw the ball picked up by Mikey who played a deep through ball which ran all the way through to the opposite winger Mike to tap home. Our third goal came from a beautiful cross for right back Sam who managed to find our striker Charlie on the 6 yard box to tap home. It didn’t go all our way though as just before the break we had a sending off that saw us play the second half with 10 on the field.

Fair play to the home side who fought back, both of their goals coming from well struck free kicks on their right hand side, however our young lads did everything they could to make sure they come up short.

6 points from 6 and sitting at the top alongside City of Stoke, not bad going for a young team 💪💪

Producing Creative Technicians 💙

A short trip to Pointon Park was our midweek fixture, which in previous seasons has always been a tricky one.
FC Hanley started brightly and created some decent opportunities to take the lead but it eventually took a deflected shot from Lewis McMurdo to beat the Leek keeper as the deflection wrong footed him. It wasn’t a great first half from either side but FC Hanley deservedly went into the break with the goal advantage.
The second half never really hit into a pattern as both sides struggled to create anything but it always looked like if any goal was coming it was going to be scored by FC Hanley. It took until the 88th minute for a quick counter attack as Josh Bristow looped the ball into the path of Liam Tomlin who advanced on goal and fired across the leek keeper and into the far corner. Points safe, game in the bag and on the balance of play a well deserved victory.
Back to back wins and a clean sheet which makes a great nights work for FC Hanley. We will be looking to continue the run on Saturday as we host Stafford Town Development at Northwood Stadium.

With the disappointment of the midweek defeat a fresh performance was expected from all involved.
FC Hanley started bright and should have been in front early doors but wasted chances came back to bite FC Hanley as we found ourselves behind from our opponents first real effort on our goal. The reaction was top draw as FC Hanley pored forward creating chances and dominating the ball.
It was a corner that finally broke the Madeley resistance as Taylor Coulson rose highest to plant a bullet header into the well guarded net. The chances kept coming as FC Hanley had Madeley pinned in their own half with both wingers causing problems. After some good play FC Hanley were awarded a penalty ( stone wall ) which Lewis McMurdo stepped up to fire home and give FC Hanley the lead into the half time interval.
The second half was a controlled performance from FC Hanley as the game went a little flat with few chances available for either side. It was another penalty given by the referee for handball ( a little harsh ) that made the points safe as again Lewis McMurdo lashed home from 12 yards. With the game won and points in the bag it was about managing the game and some fine closing down from Liam Tomlin winning the ball high up gave Lewis McMurdo his hat trick after Tomlin squared the ball for a simple finish.
A good solid performance after the disappointment of Wednesday, we go again on this coming Wednesday as the games keep coming thick and fast.

A tricky midweek trip to play a strong team proved too much for a depleted FC Hanley squad. Early injuries to key players put FC Hanley on the back foot even though a magnificent solo goal from Gael Bitshilualua had given FC Hanley the lead.
It wasn’t long before our hosts managed to turn the game on its head with 2 quick fire goals to leave FC Hanley trailing at the break.
The second half was a very stop start game with the ball spending no time on the floor which left the game lacking in quality and goal scoring opportunities and it wasn’t until stoppage time when the referee was conned by the most ridiculous and blatant dive you will ever see (Tom Daley would have been proud). The penalty was scored and the game was finished, a disappointing result after a solid and encouraging performance the previous Saturday.

FC Hanley Developments first game of the season ⚽️

Today we made history. PCT’s first men’s team and we took the 3 points home too.

The first half we were dominant and should have been 5/6 up by half time but we settled for a 2-0 lead at the break.

Our first goal came from captain Ollie picking up the ball and finding Ben who scores from outside the box on minute 17. A fully deserved lead.

Just before the break Mikey takes a shot which hits a hand in the box and awards us a penalty. The penalty cooly slotted home by Ben for his double.

The second half was much the same, however we did lift our foot off the gas slightly. There were plenty of opportunities to extend our lead but the game finished with the home side making it closer and testing the young lads mentality to get the job done.

Unbelievable first game for the young lads, let’s hope we kick on and start finishing our chances.