FC United draw at Clitheroe in entertaining pre-season friendly

FC United continued pre-season with a hotly contested 2-2 draw at Clitheroe on Bank Holiday Monday courtesy of a Regan Linney strike and an own goal for the Reds.

Both sides started well, the first chance falling to Finlay Sinclair-Smith who was played through, his being tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Chris Thompson.

Five minutes later, the home side came close when an overhead from a home attacker was tipped round the post by the home keeper, both players listed as trialists.

FC United rattled the woodwork again on 22 minutes, Sinclair-Smith crossing for Fleetwood Town loanee Michael Fowler to glance a header against the far post. Moments later, FC were in again, a short back pass playing in Sinclair-Smith but again Thompson denied him.

On 28 minutes the deadlock was broken. Regan Linney linked up well with Sinclair-Smith to play a ball out wide to Jack Lenehan. His shot saved but the rebound fell to Linney who scored his second goal in three days.

Just after the restart, the home side levelled when Connor Gaul used the slope of the pitch to beat the FC United keeper. Eight minutes later FC took the lead again when a Sinclair-Smith burst free on the right and his cross was turned into his own goal by Steve Howson.

The home team weren’t done though and equalised again on 72 minutes when a corner found its way to Markell Foulds. The player who played pre-season with FC United in 2019 blasted the ball into the net.

There was still time for the FC United keeper to pull off a double save to keep the score level, which on the balance was a fair result. FC continue their busy per season on Wednesday with a trip to old friends Marine.

Report by Steven Wood

Man of the match: Finlay Sinclair Smith. Continued his bright pre-season with a busy performance which probably deserved a goal.