FC United and Blyth Spartans to replay on Tuesday night
FC United and Blyth Spartans will replay at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night after drawing their Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round match 1-1 on Saturday afternoon at Croft Park.
Cedric Main equalised with 22 minutes to go as the Reds came from behind to keep their FA Cup dreams alive and both clubs will go into the hat for Monday lunchtime’s draw for the next round.
FC started well and created the first chance on eight minutes, Blackpool loanee Bradley Holmes being played in, but his shot rolled just past the far post.
The Reds were enjoying the lion’s share of possession but not creating the chances it merited, and as the half wore on, Spartans started to threaten. Nicky Deverdics saw a dangerous cross tipped away by Dan Lavercombe, who came into his own just after the half hour when he pulled off a superb save from Lewis McNall.
However, Lavercombe could do nothing to save the Reds on 35 minutes. The ball was crossed in from the left for skipper JJ O’Donnell to tee himself up and volley home the opening goal to give the hosts a narrow but vital advantage at the break.
The second half started the same as the first, FC United on the front foot, Finlay Sinclair-Smith seeing a shot blocked. As the half continued, Blyth started to see much more of the ball, but without really troubling Lavercombe, though he did save well from Connor Thomson on 57 minutes.
With 22 minutes left, the visitors deservedly drew level when substitute Alistair Waddecar crossed to captain Michael Potts, he played the ball into Main who took his time and finished well past Mitchell.
Four minutes later, Waddecar and Potts combined again, but this time the latter saw his overhead volley fly over the bar. From this point, Blyth took the game to FC and there was a few hairy moments, but the Reds defence held out well against the attacks to take the tie to a replay at Broadhurst Park.
Website man of the match: Aaron Morris. A commanding performance in defence and led the Reds well during the onslaught in the last few minutes.
Report by Steven Wood
FC United and Blyth Spartans to replay on Tuesday night
FC United and Blyth Spartans will replay at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night after drawing their Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round match 1-1 on Saturday afternoon at Croft Park.
Cedric Main equalised with 22 minutes to go as the Reds came from behind to keep their FA Cup dreams alive and both clubs will go into the hat for Monday lunchtime’s draw for the next round.
FC started well and created the first chance on eight minutes, Blackpool loanee Bradley Holmes being played in, but his shot rolled just past the far post.
The Reds were enjoying the lion’s share of possession but not creating the chances it merited, and as the half wore on, Spartans started to threaten. Nicky Deverdics saw a dangerous cross tipped away by Dan Lavercombe, who came into his own just after the half hour when he pulled off a superb save from Lewis McNall.
However, Lavercombe could do nothing to save the Reds on 35 minutes. The ball was crossed in from the left for skipper JJ O’Donnell to tee himself up and volley home the opening goal to give the hosts a narrow but vital advantage at the break.
The second half started the same as the first, FC United on the front foot, Finlay Sinclair-Smith seeing a shot blocked. As the half continued, Blyth started to see much more of the ball, but without really troubling Lavercombe, though he did save well from Connor Thomson on 57 minutes.
With 22 minutes left, the visitors deservedly drew level when substitute Alistair Waddecar crossed to captain Michael Potts, he played the ball into Main who took his time and finished well past Mitchell.
Four minutes later, Waddecar and Potts combined again, but this time the latter saw his overhead volley fly over the bar. From this point, Blyth took the game to FC and there was a few hairy moments, but the Reds defence held out well against the attacks to take the tie to a replay at Broadhurst Park.
Website man of the match: Aaron Morris. A commanding performance in defence and led the Reds well during the onslaught in the last few minutes.
Report by Steven Wood
