Last gasp FC United finally win on a Saturday with victory at Witton Albion
FC United picked up three vital points at Witton Albion to claim our first Saturday victory of the season, but in time honoured style – the Reds did it the hard way.
After several player departures post the Grantham defeat, manager Neil Reynolds gave a debut to Cian Hayes, gave Sam Burns his first start, and Luke Griffiths had his second debut in FC colours after returning from Warrington Town.
The first half was basically a case of attack versus defence with FC United in the ascendency and Witton restricted to long ball counters. However, for all the possession, there was nothing to show in terms of goals. In fact, there was only two shots on target in the whole half, Hayes and Adam Dodd both firing straight at Greg Hall in the home goal.
The second half was only three minutes old when the Reds, playing in yellow and green, broke the deadlock. A corner caused confusion in the home defence, Burns tried his luck but his shot was blocked by Hall, but the keeper’s clearance hit Burns and found its way to centre-back Drew Baker who poked the ball into the net for his first competitive FC goal.
The goal was the precursor to a number of FC chances, Regan Linney seeing a goal chalked off for offside after putting in a rebound from a Hayes shot.
Dodd tried his luck again but saw Hall tip wide and Burns should have done better with a shot after a three-on-two FC United break, but he shot wide when well placed. Just after the hour mark, the lead was doubled when Charlie Ennis had a shot blocked, the ball dropped to Hayes who also saw his shot blocked, however the rebound dropped back at Hayes feet and he made no mistake with the second chance to make it 2-0.
At this point, two things happened, Witton made two changes and for some reason, FC United seemed to think the game was won. These allowed Witton to take a hold on the game and they pulled a goal back on 71 minutes when a long cross wasn’t cut out and Callum Saunders volleyed in to half the deficit.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, the home side drew level when another cross from the left wasn’t dealt with and substitute Rob Hopley side-footed past Dan Lavercombe to make it 2-2.
Moments later, Saunders looked to have scored a third, but Lavercombe produced a superb save to keep the score level and he was in action again on 85 minutes pulling off another great save from Will Sutton.
Heads could easily have dropped at this point, but it’s to FC United’s credit that the players picked up and went in search of a winner. For the first time in a few weeks, lady luck smiled on The Reds.
A corner was played in, Hall missed the ball totally, it hit the head of one of his defenders, and rolled towards the goal, Cesaire Lingouba tried to clear from the line but only succeeded in scooping the ball up, onto the post and into his own net for the winning goal.
Warsaw and the Fenix Trophy now beckons for FC United, the three points a more than welcome send off.
Website man of the match: Curtis Jones. A great defensive presence throughout the game, looking strong at the back and made many run forwards in the style of a modern-day Gordon McQueen. A word though for Dan Lavercombe who ensured the score stayed level in the last 10 minutes.
Report by Steven Wood
Last gasp FC United finally win on a Saturday with victory at Witton Albion
FC United picked up three vital points at Witton Albion to claim our first Saturday victory of the season, but in time honoured style – the Reds did it the hard way.
After several player departures post the Grantham defeat, manager Neil Reynolds gave a debut to Cian Hayes, gave Sam Burns his first start, and Luke Griffiths had his second debut in FC colours after returning from Warrington Town.
The first half was basically a case of attack versus defence with FC United in the ascendency and Witton restricted to long ball counters. However, for all the possession, there was nothing to show in terms of goals. In fact, there was only two shots on target in the whole half, Hayes and Adam Dodd both firing straight at Greg Hall in the home goal.
The second half was only three minutes old when the Reds, playing in yellow and green, broke the deadlock. A corner caused confusion in the home defence, Burns tried his luck but his shot was blocked by Hall, but the keeper’s clearance hit Burns and found its way to centre-back Drew Baker who poked the ball into the net for his first competitive FC goal.
The goal was the precursor to a number of FC chances, Regan Linney seeing a goal chalked off for offside after putting in a rebound from a Hayes shot.
Dodd tried his luck again but saw Hall tip wide and Burns should have done better with a shot after a three-on-two FC United break, but he shot wide when well placed. Just after the hour mark, the lead was doubled when Charlie Ennis had a shot blocked, the ball dropped to Hayes who also saw his shot blocked, however the rebound dropped back at Hayes feet and he made no mistake with the second chance to make it 2-0.
At this point, two things happened, Witton made two changes and for some reason, FC United seemed to think the game was won. These allowed Witton to take a hold on the game and they pulled a goal back on 71 minutes when a long cross wasn’t cut out and Callum Saunders volleyed in to half the deficit.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, the home side drew level when another cross from the left wasn’t dealt with and substitute Rob Hopley side-footed past Dan Lavercombe to make it 2-2.
Moments later, Saunders looked to have scored a third, but Lavercombe produced a superb save to keep the score level and he was in action again on 85 minutes pulling off another great save from Will Sutton.
Heads could easily have dropped at this point, but it’s to FC United’s credit that the players picked up and went in search of a winner. For the first time in a few weeks, lady luck smiled on The Reds.
A corner was played in, Hall missed the ball totally, it hit the head of one of his defenders, and rolled towards the goal, Cesaire Lingouba tried to clear from the line but only succeeded in scooping the ball up, onto the post and into his own net for the winning goal.
Warsaw and the Fenix Trophy now beckons for FC United, the three points a more than welcome send off.
Website man of the match: Curtis Jones. A great defensive presence throughout the game, looking strong at the back and made many run forwards in the style of a modern-day Gordon McQueen. A word though for Dan Lavercombe who ensured the score stayed level in the last 10 minutes.
Report by Steven Wood
