FC United up to sixth with win over Lancaster City
Promotion-chasing FC United are up to sixth in the Pitching In Northern Premier Division after a superb solo goal by Regan Linney gave the Reds a 1-0 victory over a stubborn Lancaster City in front of 1,492 fans at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night.
Only goal difference now separates Neil Reynolds' side and a much-coveted play-off place with fifth placed Warrington Town, Bamber Bridge (seventh placed) and FC United all tied on 49 points. Our rivals both have a game in hand, but with seven wins, two draws and just one defeat in our last 10 matches the momentum is firmly with the Reds.
Linney scored the game's only goal five minutes into the second half when he picked up the ball around 40 yards out, glided his way into the box, beat five defenders, and slid the ball past goalkeeper Curtis Anderson for one of the best goals ever scored at Broadhurst Park.
With 68% possession and six shots on target without reply, the Reds were well worth the three points. However, they were made to dig in and work hard for the win by the Dolly Blues, who won the reverse fixture at the Giant Axe 1-0 in October.
The game was frantic from start to finish as both sides fought hard to keep hold of the ball and to not give up any chances. FC United were brilliant on the counter-attack all evening, and this was a real thorn in the side of Lancaster who looked to play more route one football.
The visitors’ efforts were well dealt with by the Reds backline, especially Aaron Morris, who seemed to be first to every ariel ball and played excellently when dribbling away from defenders.
Some excellent saves from Anderson prevented FC United from steaming into a more commanding lead as he raced off his line on two separate occasions to smother the ball in one-on-one situations.
Last week, manager Neil Reynolds asked FC fans not to ‘get giddy’ about the prospect of promotion. However, that task is getting harder and harder for the FC United faithful as we move up the table and the gap narrows.
Linney scored the game’s only goal with a moment of brilliance, but despite having chance the Reds couldn’t gain a two-goal cushion to put them into cruise control. A nervy finish followed as the men in red looked to secure a second win in as many home games. They held the late charge and came away with a very well deserved three points.
Website man of the match: Regan Linney. Another brilliant all-round display capped off with surely one of the best solo goals we’ll see in nonleague football all season.
After the game, FC United manager Neil Reynolds said: “We went in at half time 0-0 but it was a real fight. What rocket did you give them players in the dressing room?
“The game plan worked. We told Josh (Galloway) and Regan (Linney) to stay wide. We did it in the second half and we just changed our shape a bit, getting our wide men into the pockets and it worked.
“We’re a top 10 side who are on a good run of form at the minute and we know that teams above us have a lot of spending power, but we’ve given ourselves a chance.
“Eleven games ago we had 23 to play and we were down in 15th and people wanted us to get into the top 10. All of a sudden, that group of players have masterminded where we are now, one defeat in 11 and back-to-back clean sheets. They're a great group to work with.”
FC United now travel to relegation threatened Gainsborough Trinity this Saturday, knowing that a win - or draw - could lift them into the play-off places, depending how Warrington Town get on at Hyde United and Bamber Bridge's result at home to Stafford Rangers.
Report by Callum Scott
FC United up to sixth with win over Lancaster City
Promotion-chasing FC United are up to sixth in the Pitching In Northern Premier Division after a superb solo goal by Regan Linney gave the Reds a 1-0 victory over a stubborn Lancaster City in front of 1,492 fans at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night.
Only goal difference now separates Neil Reynolds' side and a much-coveted play-off place with fifth placed Warrington Town, Bamber Bridge (seventh placed) and FC United all tied on 49 points. Our rivals both have a game in hand, but with seven wins, two draws and just one defeat in our last 10 matches the momentum is firmly with the Reds.
Linney scored the game's only goal five minutes into the second half when he picked up the ball around 40 yards out, glided his way into the box, beat five defenders, and slid the ball past goalkeeper Curtis Anderson for one of the best goals ever scored at Broadhurst Park.
With 68% possession and six shots on target without reply, the Reds were well worth the three points. However, they were made to dig in and work hard for the win by the Dolly Blues, who won the reverse fixture at the Giant Axe 1-0 in October.
The game was frantic from start to finish as both sides fought hard to keep hold of the ball and to not give up any chances. FC United were brilliant on the counter-attack all evening, and this was a real thorn in the side of Lancaster who looked to play more route one football.
The visitors’ efforts were well dealt with by the Reds backline, especially Aaron Morris, who seemed to be first to every ariel ball and played excellently when dribbling away from defenders.
Some excellent saves from Anderson prevented FC United from steaming into a more commanding lead as he raced off his line on two separate occasions to smother the ball in one-on-one situations.
Last week, manager Neil Reynolds asked FC fans not to ‘get giddy’ about the prospect of promotion. However, that task is getting harder and harder for the FC United faithful as we move up the table and the gap narrows.
Linney scored the game’s only goal with a moment of brilliance, but despite having chance the Reds couldn’t gain a two-goal cushion to put them into cruise control. A nervy finish followed as the men in red looked to secure a second win in as many home games. They held the late charge and came away with a very well deserved three points.
Website man of the match: Regan Linney. Another brilliant all-round display capped off with surely one of the best solo goals we’ll see in nonleague football all season.
After the game, FC United manager Neil Reynolds said: “We went in at half time 0-0 but it was a real fight. What rocket did you give them players in the dressing room?
“The game plan worked. We told Josh (Galloway) and Regan (Linney) to stay wide. We did it in the second half and we just changed our shape a bit, getting our wide men into the pockets and it worked.
“We’re a top 10 side who are on a good run of form at the minute and we know that teams above us have a lot of spending power, but we’ve given ourselves a chance.
“Eleven games ago we had 23 to play and we were down in 15th and people wanted us to get into the top 10. All of a sudden, that group of players have masterminded where we are now, one defeat in 11 and back-to-back clean sheets. They're a great group to work with.”
FC United now travel to relegation threatened Gainsborough Trinity this Saturday, knowing that a win - or draw - could lift them into the play-off places, depending how Warrington Town get on at Hyde United and Bamber Bridge's result at home to Stafford Rangers.
Report by Callum Scott
