Pre-season - A Belfast Special

Cliftonville vs FC United of Manchester

Cliftonville are Northern Ireland's oldest club.  I say that because I think it's likely that there are some of you out there who don't know.  Founded in 1879 'The Reds' have won the Irish League three times, finishing second last season.  The week before FCUM's visit they beat HNK Cibalia in the first leg of the second qualifying round for the Europa League.  On the whole then it was looking like a tough ask for FC United to get anything out of this game, the inaugural Ladbrooks Supporters Cup.

Donegal Celtic Park clubhouse.

Sadly the game was moved from Cliftonville's Solitude stadium to Donegal Celtic Park due to work being carried out to install a 3G pitch at Solitude.  Donegal Celtic Park is basically a drinking club with a stadium attached, currently the ground holds 3,000 (1,600 seated) but there are plans to increase the capacity to 5,000.  The seated stands are quite modern in design and look a little bit odd next to the old style cowsheds running down one side.  There is access to the clubhouse during the game but it takes that long to find ones way through the dark alleys and randomly distributed games rooms that it might not be worth it.  A word of warning; the ground (and clubhouse) are in a Nationalist area so it's probably best not to walk in wearing a England shirt, or a Rangers one for that matter.  In fact it's probably best to be careful in the rest of Belfast as well.  I found it to be quite an uncomfortable place to visit.  Having said that, this is a football blog not a travel guide so let's get on with the game.

Arriving well before the game we found an Anti-Racist World Cup five-a-side tournament taking place.  Teams from around the world were taking part in an attempt to raise awareness for the anti-racist, anti-fascist cause.  The tournament looked a good laugh and the atmosphere was very relaxed with some of the substitutes taking on the odd pint of Guinness while on the sidelines.  Eventually the tournament came to an end and it was time for the main event.

Substitutes on a strict health regime.

Pouring out of the drinking club and into the ground the FC United fans took over the 400 seater away stand and proceeded to make some noise.  I'm not sure where I stand on this.  Whilst it is nice to have a good atmosphere it did seem a little exuberant for a pre-season game.  A lot of the songs were also very Manchester United orientated.  I was assured this isn't always the case but it is a little confusing.

FC United: 'A Right Bunch Of Dicks'.

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for what FC United are doing.  I think it is a great idea to give football back to the fans; it's not just about Galzier either, it's about the ridiculous ticket prices and the kick-off times dictated by Sky.  All these things ruin the modern game.  All these things are important.  However, it does seem a little odd that fans sing songs about never going back to Old Trafford and not giving money to Glazier, yet they also sing about being the best team in Europe and some even turn up in Man Utd shirts.  Maybe I've missed the point, maybe someone will tell me I've got it wrong.  I hope so.

That all said, the atmosphere was very good and the songs about George Best had added poignancy as all fans, FC United and Cliftonville alike, joined in.  It was down to the football to provide the entertainment to match the atmosphere.  Cliftonville started slowly with FCUM having all the early chances including a 30 yard drive.  The early pressure was soon rewarded with a goal on 19 minutes from Michael Norton who took advantage of a goal keeping error to rifle home from short range.  The goal sparked the odd chance from Cliftonville but they were unable to convert and FCUM went into half-time unlucky not to be two goals to the good after hitting the post.

FC United defend a corner.

Half-time saw my companions an I make an ill-advised trip to the snack bar.  If Donegal Celtic are going to increase the ground's capacity to 5,000 they are going to need much, much better facilities.  There was only one solitary burger van outside and we started queueing just before half-time.  We we're in the queue until roughly 20 minutes from the end of the game.  It was only when we were near the front that we were informed of another bar inside serving the same types of food.  In fairness though, the queue wasn't even that long.  Slow service from a one woman team, who insisted on putting sauce on the burgers for the customers rather than getting on with the next order was a cause for much consternation.  After all that the food wasn't even that good.

FC United fans filling the away stand, taken from the burger queue.

Taking all that into consideration I didn't have that great a view of the second half.  Five FCUM substitutions seemed to damage the team dynamic and Cliftonville quickly started to assert themselves.  Five minutes into the second half and the equalizer came with Caldwell firing home as the loose ball rattled around the area.  FCUM had only one real chance in the second half but failed to convert it as Cliftonville threatened to run rampant.  The home side took the lead on 72 minutes when a square ball eluded the defence and Caldwell slotted home.  The poor view made for a moment of confusion a couple of minutes later as it was unclear whether a carbon copy of Cliftonville's second goal had been allowed or not.  This was only cleared up after the game, turns out it was offside and the final score was 2-1 to the home side.

Next up: St Neots, high flyers in last seasons UCL take on new Conference South members Farnborough.