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Match Report

17th July 2021

Friendly

Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester, M40 0FJ


FC United of Manchester

1 - 1

Bolton Wanderers

 
Attendance: 823

FC United of Manchester 1

Bolton Wanderers 1

Attendance: 823



FC United denied victory over Bolton Wanderers by last minute equaliser

FC United were denied what would have been an impressive pre-season victory over Bolton Wanderers at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon when the visitors scored a last minute equaliser.

The Reds resolutely defended a 1-0 lead for most of the second half in scorching heat, but just couldn’t see out the win against the League One club. A trialist broke the deadlock for FC United moments into the second half but George Johnston bagged the equaliser right at the death for the visitors to ensure both teams enjoyed a share of the spoils.

Bolton had made the journey down the M61 with a strong match day squad, featuring former Premier League players Nathan Delfouneso, Matt Gilks and Alex Baptiste. However, it was United who looked the most likely to score first during the early exchanges of play.

The home side looked strong in defence, possibly buoyed by the presence of impressive trialists (No. 5 & 6), and pressed restlessly forward in attack as well, going close twice in quick succession through good chances for midfielder Jordan Simpson and Trialist No.10.

The biggest threat from United looked to come from the left-hand side of the field, as dependable full back Joe White and FC forward Regan Linney teamed up to overload the Wanderers defence. Linney arguably had United's first meaningful attempt on goal, as he showed some deft footwork to cut inside the penalty area and send a curling shot towards the away team's goal, only to see it calmly gathered up by experienced keeper Gilks.

Then, on the 20 minute mark and quite against the run of play, the visitors had the ball in the back when their captain Antoni Sarcevic picked up on a loose ball deep in the FC penalty area, and was able to lift a shot over Red's keeper Dan Lavercombe. The away team began to celebrate only for the linesman closest to the Main Stand to raise his flag and signal a late call for offside.

After the break, FC United began the second half in the best possible way – with a quick goal from the restart, coming through the increasingly imposing Trialist No.10. Following a defensive mix up, the Reds' striker stole the ball in the penalty area from substitute Wanderers' keeper Joel Dixon, before poking the ball into the goal from close range in front of jubilant home fans in the SMRE.

As the minutes wore on the home team looked increasingly confident with their lead, and Bolton manager Ian Evett cut a frustrated figure in the opposition dugout. As he urged his team to find a route back into the game, well-crafted opportunities fell to Trotters' midfielder George Thomason and Hamburg-loanee Xavier Amaechi, but both failed to beat Dan Lavercombe in the FC United goal.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the afternoon was FCUM manager Neil Reynolds' decision to give three academy graduates, Jack Bennett, Tyler Owen and goalkeeper Lenny Fieldhouse gametime during the match. The two outfield players contributed well to the afternoon's play, and actively involved themselves as United went close to doubling their lead in the final 20 minutes through a number of chances.

Fellow substitute Finlay Sinclair-Smith went closest to putting the home team two goals up, following up on a typically mazy run to send a rasping, curled shot past keeper Dixon, only to see the ball bounce off the far right post and back across the penalty area. The impassioned forward rose to his feet after the shot and swung his arms at the SMRE, urging fans to help get the home side over the line. 

Unfortunately, United were denied a win with a last minute equaliser for Bolton coming through almost the last kick of the game. A looping cross from the visitors' right wing allowed Adam Senior to tee-up Johnston for a straightforward header two yards out from goal, sending Bolton's boisterous support into raptures.

It was a poor goal to concede from a United perspective, but took nothing away from an impressive FC side who more than matched their higher placed opponents throughout the afternoon, and would have been good value for the win had they seen the game out.

FC United will now turn their attention to Tuesday night's game away at North West Counties side AFC Darwen, and then a Saturday afternoon fixture which sees the Reds take on London based, Isthmian League side Enfield Town FC to compete for this season's Supporters Direct Trophy. Come down and help cheer the boys on to their first piece of silverware this season!

Website man of the match: Trialist No. 10. On an afternoon of brilliant individual performances for FC, the triallist was our main man, leading the forward line with distinction. His commitment, strength and constant invention helped the team achieve a result which truly gets our pre-season going. Proof of life after Tunde? Reno, sign him up!

Report by Sam Turner

FC UNITED of MANCHESTER TEAM:-

(Unnumbered) Dan LAVERCOMBE (GK)

2) Aaron MORRIS

3) Joe WHITE

4) Jordan SIMPSON

5) Trialist 'A'

6) Trialist 'B'

7) Michael DONOHUE

8) Michael POTTS (Captain)

9) Ali WADDECAR

10) Trialist 'C'

11) Regan LINNEY

SUBSTITUTES:-

12) Jack BENNETT (For No. 8 - 80 mins)

(Unnumbered) Lenny FIELDHOUSE (For Dan Lavercombe - 80 mins)

14) Paul ENNIS (For No. 3 - Half-time)

15) Trialist 'D' (For No. 10 - 76 mins)

(Unnumbered) Tyler OWEN (For No. 7 - 65 mins)

21) Tre PEMBERTON (For  No. 9 - 59 mins)

22) Finlay SINCLAIR SMITH (For No. 11 - 54 mins)

N.B. David CARNELL (GK) (Named on teamsheet but did not play).

SCORER:-

Trialist 'C' (46 mins)

BOLTON WANDERERS (First half team):-

1) Matt GILKS (GK)

2) Gethin JONES

3 Declan JOHN

5) Ricardo Almeida SANTOS

8) Josh SHEEHAN

10) Antoni SARCEVIC (Captain)

11) Amadou BAKAYOKO

15) Alex BAPTISTE

17) Dapo AFOLAYAN

20) Keiran LEE

23) Lloyd ISGROVE

BOLTON WANDERERS (Second half team):-

27) Joel DIXON (GK)

4) MJ WILIAMS

6) George JOHNSTON

7) Nathan DELFOUNESO

11) Amadou BAKAYOKO

14) Xavier AMAECHI

15) Alex BAPTISTE (Captain)

18) Andrew TUTTE

21) Harry BROCKBACK

25) George THOMASON

29) LIam GORDON

SUBSTITUTES:-

30) Ronan D'ARCY (For No. 11 - 60 mins)

34) Adam SENIOR (For No. 15 - 60 mins)

SCORER:-

George JOHNSON (90 mins)

 

 

FC United denied victory over Bolton Wanderers by last minute equaliser

FC United were denied what would have been an impressive pre-season victory over Bolton Wanderers at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon when the visitors scored a last minute equaliser.

The Reds resolutely defended a 1-0 lead for most of the second half in scorching heat, but just couldn’t see out the win against the League One club. A trialist broke the deadlock for FC United moments into the second half but George Johnston bagged the equaliser right at the death for the visitors to ensure both teams enjoyed a share of the spoils.

Bolton had made the journey down the M61 with a strong match day squad, featuring former Premier League players Nathan Delfouneso, Matt Gilks and Alex Baptiste. However, it was United who looked the most likely to score first during the early exchanges of play.

The home side looked strong in defence, possibly buoyed by the presence of impressive trialists (No. 5 & 6), and pressed restlessly forward in attack as well, going close twice in quick succession through good chances for midfielder Jordan Simpson and Trialist No.10.

The biggest threat from United looked to come from the left-hand side of the field, as dependable full back Joe White and FC forward Regan Linney teamed up to overload the Wanderers defence. Linney arguably had United's first meaningful attempt on goal, as he showed some deft footwork to cut inside the penalty area and send a curling shot towards the away team's goal, only to see it calmly gathered up by experienced keeper Gilks.

Then, on the 20 minute mark and quite against the run of play, the visitors had the ball in the back when their captain Antoni Sarcevic picked up on a loose ball deep in the FC penalty area, and was able to lift a shot over Red's keeper Dan Lavercombe. The away team began to celebrate only for the linesman closest to the Main Stand to raise his flag and signal a late call for offside.

After the break, FC United began the second half in the best possible way – with a quick goal from the restart, coming through the increasingly imposing Trialist No.10. Following a defensive mix up, the Reds' striker stole the ball in the penalty area from substitute Wanderers' keeper Joel Dixon, before poking the ball into the goal from close range in front of jubilant home fans in the SMRE.

As the minutes wore on the home team looked increasingly confident with their lead, and Bolton manager Ian Evett cut a frustrated figure in the opposition dugout. As he urged his team to find a route back into the game, well-crafted opportunities fell to Trotters' midfielder George Thomason and Hamburg-loanee Xavier Amaechi, but both failed to beat Dan Lavercombe in the FC United goal.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the afternoon was FCUM manager Neil Reynolds' decision to give three academy graduates, Jack Bennett, Tyler Owen and goalkeeper Lenny Fieldhouse gametime during the match. The two outfield players contributed well to the afternoon's play, and actively involved themselves as United went close to doubling their lead in the final 20 minutes through a number of chances.

Fellow substitute Finlay Sinclair-Smith went closest to putting the home team two goals up, following up on a typically mazy run to send a rasping, curled shot past keeper Dixon, only to see the ball bounce off the far right post and back across the penalty area. The impassioned forward rose to his feet after the shot and swung his arms at the SMRE, urging fans to help get the home side over the line. 

Unfortunately, United were denied a win with a last minute equaliser for Bolton coming through almost the last kick of the game. A looping cross from the visitors' right wing allowed Adam Senior to tee-up Johnston for a straightforward header two yards out from goal, sending Bolton's boisterous support into raptures.

It was a poor goal to concede from a United perspective, but took nothing away from an impressive FC side who more than matched their higher placed opponents throughout the afternoon, and would have been good value for the win had they seen the game out.

FC United will now turn their attention to Tuesday night's game away at North West Counties side AFC Darwen, and then a Saturday afternoon fixture which sees the Reds take on London based, Isthmian League side Enfield Town FC to compete for this season's Supporters Direct Trophy. Come down and help cheer the boys on to their first piece of silverware this season!

Website man of the match: Trialist No. 10. On an afternoon of brilliant individual performances for FC, the triallist was our main man, leading the forward line with distinction. His commitment, strength and constant invention helped the team achieve a result which truly gets our pre-season going. Proof of life after Tunde? Reno, sign him up!

Report by Sam Turner

FC UNITED of MANCHESTER TEAM:-

(Unnumbered) Dan LAVERCOMBE (GK)

2) Aaron MORRIS

3) Joe WHITE

4) Jordan SIMPSON

5) Trialist 'A'

6) Trialist 'B'

7) Michael DONOHUE

8) Michael POTTS (Captain)

9) Ali WADDECAR

10) Trialist 'C'

11) Regan LINNEY

SUBSTITUTES:-

12) Jack BENNETT (For No. 8 - 80 mins)

(Unnumbered) Lenny FIELDHOUSE (For Dan Lavercombe - 80 mins)

14) Paul ENNIS (For No. 3 - Half-time)

15) Trialist 'D' (For No. 10 - 76 mins)

(Unnumbered) Tyler OWEN (For No. 7 - 65 mins)

21) Tre PEMBERTON (For  No. 9 - 59 mins)

22) Finlay SINCLAIR SMITH (For No. 11 - 54 mins)

N.B. David CARNELL (GK) (Named on teamsheet but did not play).

SCORER:-

Trialist 'C' (46 mins)

BOLTON WANDERERS (First half team):-

1) Matt GILKS (GK)

2) Gethin JONES

3 Declan JOHN

5) Ricardo Almeida SANTOS

8) Josh SHEEHAN

10) Antoni SARCEVIC (Captain)

11) Amadou BAKAYOKO

15) Alex BAPTISTE

17) Dapo AFOLAYAN

20) Keiran LEE

23) Lloyd ISGROVE

BOLTON WANDERERS (Second half team):-

27) Joel DIXON (GK)

4) MJ WILIAMS

6) George JOHNSTON

7) Nathan DELFOUNESO

11) Amadou BAKAYOKO

14) Xavier AMAECHI

15) Alex BAPTISTE (Captain)

18) Andrew TUTTE

21) Harry BROCKBACK

25) George THOMASON

29) LIam GORDON

SUBSTITUTES:-

30) Ronan D'ARCY (For No. 11 - 60 mins)

34) Adam SENIOR (For No. 15 - 60 mins)

SCORER:-

George JOHNSON (90 mins)

 

 


Previous Matches
20/12/2022 3-1W
28/07/2017 0-1L
24/07/2013 1-1D