Reds edge out Rossendale for second victory
FC United got their second win of the Bank Holiday weekend and the season as they battled hard to overcome a resilient Rossendale United side in front of 2,023 supporters at Dark Lane.
The Reds enjoyed a lot of possession in the game, but really struggled to create any good chances against the previously unbeaten team.
In the first half there were half chances for Stuart Rudd and Steve Spencer who both shot over the bar, whilst Jerome Wright dragged an effort just wide of the near post. The fact that Stags keeper and Right Said Fred look-alike Lee Bracey could embrace some banter with United fans behind the goal showed he was never really troubled in the opening 45 minutes. Towards the end of the half the home team came on strong and Sam Ashton had to make a few good saves, but the teams went in 0-0.
The second half started the same with United controlling possession but never really creating a clear cut opening. Spencer found himself free in the box but couldn’t get the ball past Bracey. United also had to contend with the Rossendale counter attack, much in the same way as they conceded goals against Lancaster and Garforth last week.
The first goal came when United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rossendale area. Stuart Rudd fired a low hard shot that flew past the wall and then Bracey, putting the Reds one up whilst opening his account for the season.
Rossendale were determined to get back on level terms as soon as possible and when winger David Foy got the better of David Chadwick all that was left to do was to square the ball to substitute Mark Drew, who slotted past Sam Ashton to grab the equaliser and make it 1-1.
United again enjoyed possession but never looked like penetrating the Rossendale defence. A long ball in towards Stuart Rudd resulted in the big number nine being bundled over in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the Reds.
At 1-1, with less than 10 minutes to go the pressure was really on Nicky Platt to convert the penalty to give United a priceless victory. Platt didn’t disappoint, calmly slotting to the keeper’s right.
The Reds were rarely troubled in the last 10 minutes, despite calls of "defend, defend, defend, defend, defend!"?? from the travelling faithful. They held on to a good, hard earned 2-1 away win, which sent the majority of the crowd home happy.
Margy’s men rounded off a good weekend with this win, which sees them now move to six points out of 12. The league is put to one side now for nearly two weeks as next weekend sees FC United make their FA Cup debut in the First Preliminary Round against Trafford.
Craig Phillips
Teams
FC United
1 Sam Ashton
2 Matty Taylor
3 Alex Mortimer
4 Steve Spencer
5 David Chadwick (Captain)
6 Rob Nugent
7 Nicky Platt
8 Simon Carden
9 Stuart Rudd
10 Jerome Wright
11 Anthony Hargreaves
The Reds enjoyed a lot of possession in the game, but really struggled to create any good chances against the previously unbeaten team.
In the first half there were half chances for Stuart Rudd and Steve Spencer who both shot over the bar, whilst Jerome Wright dragged an effort just wide of the near post. The fact that Stags keeper and Right Said Fred look-alike Lee Bracey could embrace some banter with United fans behind the goal showed he was never really troubled in the opening 45 minutes. Towards the end of the half the home team came on strong and Sam Ashton had to make a few good saves, but the teams went in 0-0.
The second half started the same with United controlling possession but never really creating a clear cut opening. Spencer found himself free in the box but couldn’t get the ball past Bracey. United also had to contend with the Rossendale counter attack, much in the same way as they conceded goals against Lancaster and Garforth last week.
The first goal came when United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rossendale area. Stuart Rudd fired a low hard shot that flew past the wall and then Bracey, putting the Reds one up whilst opening his account for the season.
Rossendale were determined to get back on level terms as soon as possible and when winger David Foy got the better of David Chadwick all that was left to do was to square the ball to substitute Mark Drew, who slotted past Sam Ashton to grab the equaliser and make it 1-1.
United again enjoyed possession but never looked like penetrating the Rossendale defence. A long ball in towards Stuart Rudd resulted in the big number nine being bundled over in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the Reds.
At 1-1, with less than 10 minutes to go the pressure was really on Nicky Platt to convert the penalty to give United a priceless victory. Platt didn’t disappoint, calmly slotting to the keeper’s right.
The Reds were rarely troubled in the last 10 minutes, despite calls of "defend, defend, defend, defend, defend!"?? from the travelling faithful. They held on to a good, hard earned 2-1 away win, which sent the majority of the crowd home happy.
Margy’s men rounded off a good weekend with this win, which sees them now move to six points out of 12. The league is put to one side now for nearly two weeks as next weekend sees FC United make their FA Cup debut in the First Preliminary Round against Trafford.
Craig Phillips
Teams
FC United
1 Sam Ashton
2 Matty Taylor
3 Alex Mortimer
4 Steve Spencer
5 David Chadwick (Captain)
6 Rob Nugent
7 Nicky Platt
8 Simon Carden
9 Stuart Rudd
10 Jerome Wright
11 Anthony Hargreaves
First Posted ~ 18:49 Mon 27 Aug 2007
News ID ~ 1133
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021