FC United bounce back with win over Bamber Bridge
FC United bounced back from Saturday's disappointing defeat against Stafford Rangers by beating high flying Bamber Bridge 1-0 at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night, courtesy of a debut goal by Bradley Holmes.
The pressure was on for the Reds to respond after the weekend’s lacklustre performance saw them slip to a 3-1 defeat against 10 men, and respond they did with Blackpool loanee striker Holmes sealing the victory in a tight game with 15 minutes to go.
It was never going to be easy against Brig, who were unbeaten since the opening day of the season, having won six and drawn two since a 3-0 curtain raiser defeat at Buxton. Manager Neil Reynolds will be delighted that his team showed the strength of character to put a bad day at the office on Saturday behind them to take all three points against in form opposition.
Visibly eager, FC United started the game positively, and very nearly took the lead after just five minutes when forward Cedric Main played in Bradley Holmes for a one-on-one with Bamber's Mateusz Hewelt. The keeper saved well from Holme's initial shot, only to see the ball ricochet back off the FC striker's head from close range, bouncing narrowly wide of the goal.
The return of fan favourite Charlie Ennis was a huge positive for the home side, finally available for selection after serving a recent three match suspension, his presence in the starting eleven giving a clear lift to his team-mates. Many of United's most compelling first half moments were driven by the midfielder's wing play, as well as his willingness to drop deep into midfield, and his ability to send a finely honed ball in from set pieces.
Overall the first half was a tight affair, with both teams battling hard across the pitch. FC United enjoyed the bulk of possession, however, and crafted a few good first-half chances to break the deadlock. Cedric Main possibly should have scored just five minutes from the whistle but couldn't wrap his head around a high ball crossed into the penalty area by Ennis. The away team also had an excellent chance in front of goal just mere moments before half time, as an error in FC's defence allowed no.9 Ewan Bange time and space in the penalty area, only for the striker to send his shot high and wide over keeper Dan Lavercombe's outstretched palm and into the middle of the SMRE crowd.
The second half started much as the first had finished, with both teams showing real hunger and desire to win possession and gain the breakthrough goal. Bamber Bridge were a constant threat from set pieces and down the wings, yet United held firm in defence, looking to retain the ball and craft the correct path to goal after the restart.
The real turning point in the game came with the introduction of substitute Finlay Sinclair-Smith who came on as 67th minute replacement for forward Ali Waddecar. It had been a physical half in which both teams scrapped for chances, but with Sinclair-Smith now offering dynamism and drive through the middle of the pitch, United looked a very different prospect, and chances quickly followed for the home side. The first of these was through Ennis, who was unlucky to send a shot wide after being played by Main on the left hand side of the penalty box. Then, following a lovely fluid move from the United attack on the 75th minute, substitute Regan Linney thought he'd scored the home team's opener only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Just two minutes later United got the breakthrough they deserved. Sinclair-Smith picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area, picking out striker Bradley Holmes in the middle, with the debutant stroking the ball home for his side's opening goal. It had been a good period of play for the home team, with United very much in the ascendency at this point.
Credit should be given to Bamber Bridge, who fought hard to get themselves back into the game, but FC proved resilient in defence. The away side's no.6, Harvey Gregson, brought a fine save from Dan Lavercombe with a long distance shot from outside the penalty area on the 80th minute. Then in injury time, Gregson had another great chance to win a point for his side, but fizzed his shot wide of the post. FC United were also unlucky not to add to their tally in the final minutes as Sinclair-Smith played in Jamie Cooke close to goal, but the Halifax loanee was unfortunate not to quite get his shot away properly.
After the game Reds' boss Neil Reynolds paid tribute to outgoing assistant manager Brian Richardson, who departs to take on the manager's position at Bootle FC, hailing him as “a legend of non-league”. The home team will now turn their attention to this Saturday's big FA Cup game away at National League North side Blyth Spartans, with the two teams battling it out to secure a spot in the competition's third qualifying round.
Website man of the match – Drew Baker. An assured performance for the young United defender, who seems to grow in confidence as the games roll on. He was solid at the back for the home team, and impressed with a keenness to take the ball further up the pitch and dictate play.
Report by Sam Turner
FC United bounce back with win over Bamber Bridge
FC United bounced back from Saturday's disappointing defeat against Stafford Rangers by beating high flying Bamber Bridge 1-0 at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night, courtesy of a debut goal by Bradley Holmes.
The pressure was on for the Reds to respond after the weekend’s lacklustre performance saw them slip to a 3-1 defeat against 10 men, and respond they did with Blackpool loanee striker Holmes sealing the victory in a tight game with 15 minutes to go.
It was never going to be easy against Brig, who were unbeaten since the opening day of the season, having won six and drawn two since a 3-0 curtain raiser defeat at Buxton. Manager Neil Reynolds will be delighted that his team showed the strength of character to put a bad day at the office on Saturday behind them to take all three points against in form opposition.
Visibly eager, FC United started the game positively, and very nearly took the lead after just five minutes when forward Cedric Main played in Bradley Holmes for a one-on-one with Bamber's Mateusz Hewelt. The keeper saved well from Holme's initial shot, only to see the ball ricochet back off the FC striker's head from close range, bouncing narrowly wide of the goal.
The return of fan favourite Charlie Ennis was a huge positive for the home side, finally available for selection after serving a recent three match suspension, his presence in the starting eleven giving a clear lift to his team-mates. Many of United's most compelling first half moments were driven by the midfielder's wing play, as well as his willingness to drop deep into midfield, and his ability to send a finely honed ball in from set pieces.
Overall the first half was a tight affair, with both teams battling hard across the pitch. FC United enjoyed the bulk of possession, however, and crafted a few good first-half chances to break the deadlock. Cedric Main possibly should have scored just five minutes from the whistle but couldn't wrap his head around a high ball crossed into the penalty area by Ennis. The away team also had an excellent chance in front of goal just mere moments before half time, as an error in FC's defence allowed no.9 Ewan Bange time and space in the penalty area, only for the striker to send his shot high and wide over keeper Dan Lavercombe's outstretched palm and into the middle of the SMRE crowd.
The second half started much as the first had finished, with both teams showing real hunger and desire to win possession and gain the breakthrough goal. Bamber Bridge were a constant threat from set pieces and down the wings, yet United held firm in defence, looking to retain the ball and craft the correct path to goal after the restart.
The real turning point in the game came with the introduction of substitute Finlay Sinclair-Smith who came on as 67th minute replacement for forward Ali Waddecar. It had been a physical half in which both teams scrapped for chances, but with Sinclair-Smith now offering dynamism and drive through the middle of the pitch, United looked a very different prospect, and chances quickly followed for the home side. The first of these was through Ennis, who was unlucky to send a shot wide after being played by Main on the left hand side of the penalty box. Then, following a lovely fluid move from the United attack on the 75th minute, substitute Regan Linney thought he'd scored the home team's opener only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Just two minutes later United got the breakthrough they deserved. Sinclair-Smith picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area, picking out striker Bradley Holmes in the middle, with the debutant stroking the ball home for his side's opening goal. It had been a good period of play for the home team, with United very much in the ascendency at this point.
Credit should be given to Bamber Bridge, who fought hard to get themselves back into the game, but FC proved resilient in defence. The away side's no.6, Harvey Gregson, brought a fine save from Dan Lavercombe with a long distance shot from outside the penalty area on the 80th minute. Then in injury time, Gregson had another great chance to win a point for his side, but fizzed his shot wide of the post. FC United were also unlucky not to add to their tally in the final minutes as Sinclair-Smith played in Jamie Cooke close to goal, but the Halifax loanee was unfortunate not to quite get his shot away properly.
After the game Reds' boss Neil Reynolds paid tribute to outgoing assistant manager Brian Richardson, who departs to take on the manager's position at Bootle FC, hailing him as “a legend of non-league”. The home team will now turn their attention to this Saturday's big FA Cup game away at National League North side Blyth Spartans, with the two teams battling it out to secure a spot in the competition's third qualifying round.
Website man of the match – Drew Baker. An assured performance for the young United defender, who seems to grow in confidence as the games roll on. He was solid at the back for the home team, and impressed with a keenness to take the ball further up the pitch and dictate play.
Report by Sam Turner
