Both captians before kick off. Photo: Ben Stiff Photography

Stich bags a hat-trick as Man Met beat Salford 5-1

  • MMU 3rds remain undefeated in the league, beating Salford 5-1 at Platt Lane
  • Sam Stich was the Man of the Match with a ruthless hat-trick
  • Midfielder Alvaro Cascante scored MMU's fifth goal in the 88th minute 

Manchester Met 3rd XI continue their undefeated run in the BUCS Men’s Northern Tier 4, beating Salford 2nd XI 5-1.

MMU forward Sam Stich did the damage with his hat-trick and was helped by goals from winger Alfredo Mateus and midfielder Alvaro Cascante.

Blustery and cold conditions met both sides at Platt Lane for an encounter that weighed heavily in favour of the home side, who are undefeated in the league.

Despite Salford having the better chances, with their long ball tactics troubling the MMU defence, their shots whistled just past the post and they failed to take the lead.

Salford would come to rue their missed chances as just two minutes later, Stich bagged his first of the afternoon.

A great run from midfielder Adam Dahou broke through Salford’s defence, and a pinpoint cross from Jamal Amrez found Stich who slotted it away on the volley, leaving no chance for the keeper.

Sam Stich slotting away his first of the afternoon. Photo: Ben Stiff Photography

Three minutes later MMU and Stich had another with the striker capitalising on a mistake from the Salford keeper, heading the ball past him to double the home sides’ lead.

Although 2-0 down, Salford did not let their heads drop and continued playing quick-attacking football, with their right winger asking questions of the MMU back four.

If it wasn’t for MMU keeper Joel Fletcher, the score may well have been level at half time.

Two great saves from the keeper, palming one away from a freekick and tipping a certain goal around the post, kept MMU’s 2-0 lead intact.

MMU keeper Joel Fletcher in full flight: Photo: Ben Stiff Photography

The first half was as good as it was going to get for the away side, with MMU asserting their dominance and quality in the last 45 minutes.

Five minutes after the break, MMU had their third with Alfredo Mateus slotting the ball away following a great run down the left from fullback Zak Burton.

20 minutes later Stich completed his hat-trick and killed the game off for MMU with another fantastic finish into the bottom corner, giving the Salford keeper no chance and making the score 4-0.

Salford got one back in the 84th minute with a great touch and finish from their striker, but it was only a consolation.

Alvaro Cascante wrapped up a dominant display from MMU with a cross come shot that looped over the keeper in the 88th minute to make it 5-1, much to the jubilation of the MMU bench and management staff.

After a shaky start in the opening exchanges, MMU showed their class and punished Salford with some ruthless finishing from talisman Stich, who rightly claimed Man of the Match (MOTM).

Frustration describes the afternoon for the away side, their missed chances in the first half proving costly.

Next up for MMU is Uni of Manchester 2nd XI on December 1.

All credits for photography go to Ben Stiff. Check out his website here.