Match Report
FC United’s teenage loan-signing James Hooper scored a late equaliser to earn the Reds a hard fought point with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth on Saturday afternoon.
Hooper, making his second start since joining from League One club Rochdale, secured a share of the spoils with 11 minutes to go. It’s the third time the two sides have met competitively and the result has been 1-1 on each occasion.
This time around, the teams did battle on the new 3G pitch at The Lamb Ground and although the hosts went ahead during first half stoppage time, Karl Marginson’s side secured a well-deserved draw 11 minutes from the end.
The home side had the first chance of the game when the busy Louis Briscoe fired the ball over the bar of FC United goalkeeper Jonny Musangu. On 12 minutes, a Musangu clearance was played into the Lambs’ box by Dale Johnson to Hooper, who tried to cleverly head the ball over James Belshaw, but the keeper did well to palm the ball away. Hooper was again involved on 20 minutes when he rounded Belshaw but saw his cross-cum-shot cleared from the line.
Just after the half hour, Tamworth had their best chance with skipper Paul Green bringing out a smart save from Musangu. The chances were coming at either end but Johnson shot weakly at Belshaw when he would have expected to have done better.
As half time approached, FC United produced their best piece of football with a flowing move which saw George Thomson have his shot saved by Belshaw. Deep into first half injury time, the home side took the lead when a throw-in found its way to Daniel Newton at the far post, who prodded the ball into the net.
Newton was involved early in the second half but he saw his shot well saved by Musangu. Jake Williams, who started the game at right back for FC United had a great chance to equalise with a strong run onto the box, his shot being saved by the feet of Belshaw.
Luke Ashworth, fresh from his FA Cup hat-trick last weekend, was next to go close but he saw his header cleared from the line. At the other end, Musangu was again called into action as he saved well from substitute Greg Mills.
With 11 minutes left on the clock, FC United drew level when Thomson fooled The Lambs defence by playing a central free-kick wide to Hooper who took his time to place a side foot shot into the far corner of the net.
There wasn’t too much action after that. Both teams seemed happy to settle for the point as the game petered out into the draw.
Website man of the match - James Hooper. A lively performance, looked dangerous all afternoon and scored a great goal, his first in a FC United shirt.
Report by Steven Wood
Match Report
FC United’s teenage loan-signing James Hooper scored a late equaliser to earn the Reds a hard fought point with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth on Saturday afternoon.
Hooper, making his second start since joining from League One club Rochdale, secured a share of the spoils with 11 minutes to go. It’s the third time the two sides have met competitively and the result has been 1-1 on each occasion.
This time around, the teams did battle on the new 3G pitch at The Lamb Ground and although the hosts went ahead during first half stoppage time, Karl Marginson’s side secured a well-deserved draw 11 minutes from the end.
The home side had the first chance of the game when the busy Louis Briscoe fired the ball over the bar of FC United goalkeeper Jonny Musangu. On 12 minutes, a Musangu clearance was played into the Lambs’ box by Dale Johnson to Hooper, who tried to cleverly head the ball over James Belshaw, but the keeper did well to palm the ball away. Hooper was again involved on 20 minutes when he rounded Belshaw but saw his cross-cum-shot cleared from the line.
Just after the half hour, Tamworth had their best chance with skipper Paul Green bringing out a smart save from Musangu. The chances were coming at either end but Johnson shot weakly at Belshaw when he would have expected to have done better.
As half time approached, FC United produced their best piece of football with a flowing move which saw George Thomson have his shot saved by Belshaw. Deep into first half injury time, the home side took the lead when a throw-in found its way to Daniel Newton at the far post, who prodded the ball into the net.
Newton was involved early in the second half but he saw his shot well saved by Musangu. Jake Williams, who started the game at right back for FC United had a great chance to equalise with a strong run onto the box, his shot being saved by the feet of Belshaw.
Luke Ashworth, fresh from his FA Cup hat-trick last weekend, was next to go close but he saw his header cleared from the line. At the other end, Musangu was again called into action as he saved well from substitute Greg Mills.
With 11 minutes left on the clock, FC United drew level when Thomson fooled The Lambs defence by playing a central free-kick wide to Hooper who took his time to place a side foot shot into the far corner of the net.
There wasn’t too much action after that. Both teams seemed happy to settle for the point as the game petered out into the draw.
Website man of the match - James Hooper. A lively performance, looked dangerous all afternoon and scored a great goal, his first in a FC United shirt.
Report by Steven Wood
