FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

FC United slip to defeat at Ashton United - full report

FC United are clinging on to their play-off place following a 1-0 defeat to Ashton United on Easter Monday with a late sucker punch snatching victory for the Robins after the Reds had dominated large spells of the match to no avail.

The loss leaves United level on points with sixth placed Hednesford but ahead of the Pitmen on goal difference after the Staffordshire side won 2-1 away at local rivals Chasetown.

In another Bank Holiday encounter at Hurst Cross, this time at the business end of the season, United made one change to their starting XI, as Richard Battersby made way to the bench for Daniel Grimshaw.

The Reds made a fairly bright start on a miserable afternoon, and it was clear that Marginson’s side were intent on putting in the effort to try to claim something from the Easter weekend. Stephen Johnson’s powerful cross from the left was deflected off course early on, whilst Nick Platt provided a glancing header into a crowded Ashton area which may have proved dangerous.

A good build up for United saw the ball again reach Platt who had another glancing header, this time going just wide of the upright. Roca provided perhaps the biggest test to the home side in the first half with a free-kick from wide out on the left which saw Terry Smith stretch to tip the ball over the bar in a fine save.

In a decent spell, Grimshaw also tested the Ashton ‘keeper with a low long range effort which Smith managed to parry to his right. The Reds’ defending was thus far matching Ashton’s efforts, and Johnson did well to break from the back to carry the ball down the left flank. This proved to be a strong move for United as the winger pulled the ball back from his marker and squared to Platt who’d made a supporting run. Unfortunately, Platt’s final ball was off target, as was the case for many of FC’s efforts.

Despite the muddy condition of the surface, FC continued to battle forward as Kyle Jacobs’ well-timed throw released Roca who ran to the dead-ball line before playing a low cross into Wolfenden. The FC forward was unable to get a hold on the ball as the ‘keeper managed to gather.

Ashton caught the Reds napping as the second half began, with Chris Amadi’s run into the area forcing United to wake up. The Reds were then had an attempt on goal, as Roca slid a through-ball to Jacobs who struck, forcing an athletic stretch from Smith to pull off an excellent save.

Despite a few decent breaks, United were becoming frustrated with the lack of end product. This is perhaps indicative of the fact that, despite total commitment from the side, the extent to which FC are missing a striker to head up the formation in the absence of Michael Norton is now evident.

The weather worsened as the game progressed and the afternoon also went downhill for United. A failure to clear their lines straightway gifted an opportunity to Kevin Sanasy, who was able to go one-on-one with Spencer and put the ball past him with relative ease on 82 minutes.

United searched desperately for a point as the final minutes wore on but to no avail, meaning that the final whistle concluded a disappointing Easter weekend for the Reds, having taken no points from a possible six.

Whilst FC United have managed to hang onto to the fifth spot, they now remain in the play-off places on goal difference alone. With just three matches to play, the Reds must now step up their game and discover a goal scoring touch once again to ensure a top-five finish.

Website Man of the Match: Adam Jones – a stronghold as ever in the United back four, displaying exemplary commitment and focus in difficult conditions.

Report by Victoria Fullen



First Posted ~ 09:36 Tue 10 Apr 2012
News ID ~ 4167
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021