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Last gasp FC United rescue a point at Radcliffe

Regan Linney scored an 89th minute equaliser as FC United rescued a point at Radcliffe on New Year's Day with a 3-3 draw after the Reds had surrendered a 2-0 lead in front of 1,633 supporters.  

Linney, who is excelling in his new role at number nine, was at the heart of much of the game's action. He not only grabbed a late equaliser but won and scored a penalty on 20 minutes before his strike partner Joe Duckworth doubled the away team's lead 10 minutes into the second half, notching up his fourth goal in three matches.

At that point, manager Neil Reynolds would have expected his team to see out their fifth consecutive victory. However, the hosts turned the game on its head with three goals in 13 minutes at Stainton Park. 

Former Manchester United youngster Callum Gribbin gave Radcliffe a lifeline in the 67th minute. Jonathan Smith was then unfortunate to head a long ball from goalkeeper Cameron Belford into his own goal to level the scores in the 79th minute. It got worse for the Reds just one minute later when Luca Navarro put Radcliffe 3-2 up.

It looked like the first match of 2022 could end up being a confidence crushing capitulation for FC United, however, despite the setback, the Reds kept their heads up and Linney came to the rescue by smashing home a well-deserved equaliser.

FC United started the match without two key players with both Curtis Jones and Charlie Ennis ruled out for the afternoon. However, Reynolds was able to welcome back several players for selection, with Harry Wilson, Dan Lavercombe, and Michael Potts all back in the match day squad, alongside new loan signing Andy Halls, a centre back who joins the club on a month's loan from Chorley FC.

The game started with the typical urgency of a local derby, with both teams enjoying positive spells of possession and testing the goalkeepers at either end of the pitch.

Striker Bobby Grant and former Bolton forward Luca Navaro both went close within the first 15 minutes for the home team. Linney was unlucky not to score an early opening goal for the Reds, after beating two defenders down the left wing and drawing a fine save from former FC United goalkeeper Belford.

The away team did have their opening goal soon after though when Linney was chopped down just inside the penalty area by defender Olly Thornley. FC's forward then calmly stepped up to power the ball into the Radcliffe net, giving FC their breakthrough goal and sending Belford the wrong way in the process.

The remainder of the first half was fairly even, with possession split between the two teams. To their credit, the home side continued to push their way back into the game, enjoying several good chances in front of goal.

Defender Jo Cummings was unfortunate not to grab an equaliser just before the halftime whistle, when he met a well hit freekick at the back post only to head his effort just wide.

A fiery second half soon roared into action, and the 56th minute brought FC United their second goal of the afternoon. Duckworth continued his recent hot scoring run by volleying home from close range, after Belford had parried a goal-bound effort from Smith, only to push the ball off the post and into the path of the potent Reds' forward who calmly side-footed the ball home to increase his team's lead.

The game was then sensationally turned on its head. Firstly, Callum Gribbin capped off some fine forward play from Boro by burying a low shot past Lavercombe, and into the bottom right corner of the FC goal.

A second goal for the home side came about in the most unlikely fashion, as Belford launched a soaring freekick from his own half and high into a packed penalty area. The ball was still travelling high when it reached the six-yard box, only to meet the head of United defender Smith, diverting it into the bottom left corner for Radcliffe's equalising goal.

With the bit now between their teeth, the hosts soon took the lead through forward Navarro, who, following some fluid play from the home team, wove a path through the FC penalty area. A one-two with Grant and a calm dispatch of the ball into the FC net made it 3-2.

The action wasn't over yet however, as FC United rescued a dramatic late point through a fine solo effort from Linney. After latching onto a forward pass from Ali Waddercar, the Reds' forward broke down the right wing, drawing both an onrushing Belford and a remaining Radcliffe defender away from goal. After cutting inside to beat the last man, Linney feinted a shot which sat the Boro keeper down in his own box, before switching the ball to his left foot and sending a shot fizzing into the net for the equalising goal.

As the final whistle blew, both clubs could reflect on a hard-fought game where positives emerged for both teams. The two sides displayed real attacking quality but were ultimately undone by some passages of brittle defending.

All-in-all though, a terrific advert for football at this level, and aspects of this performance will provide encouragement for FC United ahead of next Saturday's home game against promotion-hunting Warrington Town.

Website man of the match – Regan Linney. At the heart of much of United's positive play for the afternoon, the Reds' number nine appears to be blossoming in his new attacking role. He took both of his goals well, and is showing signs of forming a potent partnership with Joe Duckworth.

Report by Sam Turner


First Posted ~ 21:00 Sat 1 Jan 2022
News ID ~ 9203
Last Updated ~ 21:52 Mon 3 Jan 2022