Linney brace not enough as FC United lose at Gainsborough Trinity
FC United remain just outside the play-off places in the Pitching In Northern Premier Division on goal difference after losing 3-2 at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon.
Regan Linney continued his excellent run of form with both goals for the Reds, but he couldn’t prevent them from slipping to just their second defeat in their last 12 matches.
United were hampered with injuries in defence with both Andy Halls and Curtis Jones ruled out with illness and injury respectively with Johnathon Smith stepping back into the defence.
FC opened brightly and Linney made many a foray behind the home defence but to no avail. The game turned in the 13th minute when the home side took the lead. A cross from the left wasn’t cleared and the ball found Elichan Ahui at the far post who tapped the ball home for 1-0.
On 22 minutes, it almost got worse as Aaron Morris failed to clear allowing Jovon Makama in but happily he poked the ball wide. Two minutes later Freddie Draper fired a shot over the bar.
The resulting goalkick saw a mix up between Dan Lavercombe and Smith, the ball finding its way to a Trinity attacker who saw his shot parried by the keeper only for Draper to tap the ball into in the net to double the lead.
This passage of play saw FC struggle to make any headway in the game, with passes not finding their intended targets and it looked the home side would increase their lead, Makama drawing a save from Lavercombe.
Slowly but surely, FC United took back hold of the game and a move between Linney and Charlie Ennis saw Matt Yates tip the ball away from danger. With two minutes left in the first half, FC pulled a goal back thanks to another contender in the ‘Regan Linney goal of the season’ contest.
Adam Dodd found Linney on the left-hand side of the box and he curled a first time shot high into the far top corner of the net. It almost got even better right on half time when Linney flicked a header onto the roof of the net.
The talk on FCUM Radio at half time was that the next goal would be crucial, and two minutes into the half, FC almost scored it. Ennis headed a Michael Donohue cross on target only to see Yates pulled off a fantastic reflex save tipping the ball onto the bar.
FC were making most of the running, but Gainsborough did have a chance when Ahui stung Lavercombes fingertips.
On 68 minutes, United were fed a sucker punch when both Michael Potts and Morris failed to deal with a long ball from the home keeper Yates, the ball being crossed from the right to substitute Reon Potts to side-foot into the goal.
The goal didn’t see off FC and you felt if they could pull one back soon, there would still be points in the offing. However, it took to the 83rd minute for that goal, Ali Waddecar playing in Linney who finished well into the far corner.
Despite constant pressure and five minutes stoppage time, FC just couldn’t muster up the equaliser that they probably deserved, the game being decided by FC conceding three very soft goals.
FC United must now focus on a big week with two promotion six-pointers. First up, we host fifth place Warrington Town on Tuesday night and then on Saturday we make our first ever competitive visit to fourth place Scarborough.
Website man of the match: Ali Waddecar. Started the game at right-back and looked the best of the back four before being switched up front and forming a good partnership with Regan Linney. A typical all action performance from Waddecar.
Report by Steven Wood
Linney brace not enough as FC United lose at Gainsborough Trinity
FC United remain just outside the play-off places in the Pitching In Northern Premier Division on goal difference after losing 3-2 at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon.
Regan Linney continued his excellent run of form with both goals for the Reds, but he couldn’t prevent them from slipping to just their second defeat in their last 12 matches.
United were hampered with injuries in defence with both Andy Halls and Curtis Jones ruled out with illness and injury respectively with Johnathon Smith stepping back into the defence.
FC opened brightly and Linney made many a foray behind the home defence but to no avail. The game turned in the 13th minute when the home side took the lead. A cross from the left wasn’t cleared and the ball found Elichan Ahui at the far post who tapped the ball home for 1-0.
On 22 minutes, it almost got worse as Aaron Morris failed to clear allowing Jovon Makama in but happily he poked the ball wide. Two minutes later Freddie Draper fired a shot over the bar.
The resulting goalkick saw a mix up between Dan Lavercombe and Smith, the ball finding its way to a Trinity attacker who saw his shot parried by the keeper only for Draper to tap the ball into in the net to double the lead.
This passage of play saw FC struggle to make any headway in the game, with passes not finding their intended targets and it looked the home side would increase their lead, Makama drawing a save from Lavercombe.
Slowly but surely, FC United took back hold of the game and a move between Linney and Charlie Ennis saw Matt Yates tip the ball away from danger. With two minutes left in the first half, FC pulled a goal back thanks to another contender in the ‘Regan Linney goal of the season’ contest.
Adam Dodd found Linney on the left-hand side of the box and he curled a first time shot high into the far top corner of the net. It almost got even better right on half time when Linney flicked a header onto the roof of the net.
The talk on FCUM Radio at half time was that the next goal would be crucial, and two minutes into the half, FC almost scored it. Ennis headed a Michael Donohue cross on target only to see Yates pulled off a fantastic reflex save tipping the ball onto the bar.
FC were making most of the running, but Gainsborough did have a chance when Ahui stung Lavercombes fingertips.
On 68 minutes, United were fed a sucker punch when both Michael Potts and Morris failed to deal with a long ball from the home keeper Yates, the ball being crossed from the right to substitute Reon Potts to side-foot into the goal.
The goal didn’t see off FC and you felt if they could pull one back soon, there would still be points in the offing. However, it took to the 83rd minute for that goal, Ali Waddecar playing in Linney who finished well into the far corner.
Despite constant pressure and five minutes stoppage time, FC just couldn’t muster up the equaliser that they probably deserved, the game being decided by FC conceding three very soft goals.
FC United must now focus on a big week with two promotion six-pointers. First up, we host fifth place Warrington Town on Tuesday night and then on Saturday we make our first ever competitive visit to fourth place Scarborough.
Website man of the match: Ali Waddecar. Started the game at right-back and looked the best of the back four before being switched up front and forming a good partnership with Regan Linney. A typical all action performance from Waddecar.
Report by Steven Wood
