United travelled to Stanley for their first preseason game of the 2026/27 season with 5 debutants in the squad and the lads looking forward to getting back to playing matches

Stanley finished 4th last season in division 2 narrowly missing out on promotion to division 1 by just 3 points so it wasn't going to be an easy game

United were forced into an early change when Chris Wasey limped off but United went ahead after 14 minutes. A good break down the right by Kev Hunter seen him pull the ball back to the edge of the box where Colin Hagan hit the ball goalwards. It was blocked by the hand of a defender but fell to Chris Madden who scored his first of the game via a deflection. 1-0 to United

It took until 6 minutes into the second half before United extended their lead when Andy Meikle played a free kick forward which Chris Madden lobbed over the keeper and into the net for his and United's second.

Four minutes later and it was 3-0, this time an expert lob by Colin Hagan landed in the net to put United in a comfortable lead

Or so they thought as Stanley never gave up and a silly 7 minutes spell seen Stanley score 3 goals and level the tie at 3-3

With 16 minutes left United were awarded a corner which Chris Madden swung in using the wind. It was going directly in and a defender and the keeper both tried to stop it going in. The ball crossed the line but the referee pointed to the spot as he thought a defender had tried to keep it out on the line with his hand but then changed his mind and awarded the winning goal and the hattrick for Chris Madden

Great start to preseason and even better to get the win