Four for Coward as MMU 2nds defeat Chester
- MMU 2nds start the season in spectacular fashion beating Chester 7-1 at Platt Lane
- Ben Coward was the star of the show scoring four goals, including a first half hat-trick
Manchester Met 2nd XI got off to the best possible start in the BUCS Men’s Northern Tier 4, beating Chester 2nd XI 7-1 in a dominant display at Platt Lane.
MMU striker Ben Coward found the net four times, winger Alex Holmes bagged two and midfielder Ted Gibbons scored a screamer from outside the box.
It was a cagey start to the game but when the referee pointed to the spot after eleven minutes for a handball Coward slotted the ball home for his first of the afternoon.
Ten minutes later MMU were awarded another penalty and this time winger Alex Holmes beat the keeper to put MMU two-up with twenty minutes gone.
Chester pulled one back when a corner ricocheted around the box before being buried in the back of the MMU net by their centre half.
This was the most joy Chester would get. Man Met then ran them ragged, with Coward completing his hat-trick before the break and Holmes bagging a second with a rebound off the goalkeeper.
For the second half Man Met were in complete control, with Coward adding his fourth and midfielder Ted Gibbons slotting home in the 88th minute to round off a top-class performance.
MMU now sit top of the league with Edge Hill their next opponents.