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FC United held at home by Trafford + video highlights



FC United were held to a 1-1 draw by Trafford at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night as an early Callum Byrne goal was cancelled out by Steve Mason midway through the first half.

Byrne got the Reds off to the perfect start inside five minutes, rifling home a screamer into the top right corner from the edge of the box, but Mason headed in the equaliser on 22 minutes to leave FC United in tenth place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

FC started well trying to play football on the sodden pitch and took the lead when Jerome Wright played the ball into Byrne on the edge of the box. Byrne took a touch and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner leaving on loan Manchester United goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara with no chance.

Two minutes later, FC United shot-stopper Dave Carnell was called into action when he tipped a header over the bar. From the resultant corner, Shelton Payne looked to have equalised but his shot was cleared from the line by Wright.

But on 22 minutes the score was level when a free-kick was met by the unmarked Mason, who headed emphatically into the net.

Just after the break, the Reds missed a guilt edged chance when a corner was turned back into the six yard box by Tom Davies where it was met by Charlie Raglan who could only scuff his shot straight at O’Hara.

Byrne was unlucky on 53 minutes when he fired narrowly wide after a scramble in the Trafford box. Three minutes later, Byrne again went close when he was played in by Dean Stott but the shot was deflected wide.

From that point the game was short on goalmouth action, both teams continued to try to play football in worsening conditions due to torrential rain but neither keeper was overly worked.

In the last few minutes, a flurry of half chances for FC United saw Wright shoot over the bar twice and Mike Norton shoot just wide.

All in all a draw was probably a fair reflection given the conditions on the night where Trafford played their part in the game with Shelton Payne in particular a constant menace.

Report by Steven Wood

Website man of the match - Callum Byrne. An all action performance, firing in a great goal and very nearly scoring two more. Now coming into fitness, his worth to the team is becoming vital.



First Posted ~ 21:43 Tue 21 Jan 2014
News ID ~ 5312
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021