Six of the best as FC United respond in style against Lowestoft

FC United responded perfectly to last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at Brackley Town by beating Lowestoft 6-1 at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in front of 3,280 supporters. Debutant Chris Chantler broke the deadlock before Tom Greaves and Lewis Lacy gave the Reds a 3-0 halftime lead. Sam Madeley was next on the scoresheet before the visitors pulled one back. Substitutes Greg Daniels and Craig Lindfield completed the rout. Given the scoreline, the Reds took a while to settle into their stride, struggling early on to keep possession. However, speedy and visionary play down the wings through a combination of George Thomson, Madeley and Chantler meant that positive signs started to show as the half entered its midway stages and United were able to take the lead 22 minutes in. The ball came in from the right and Madeley’s effort deflected back out to the Reds’ new left-back, who was loitering on the edge of the area. Chantler’s low left-footed strike bobbled over the outstretched arms of the grounded Lowestoft keeper to make it 1-0. Clearly spurred on by the opener, FC United were hungry for more and Thomson had a shot blocked off the line before Madeley narrowly missed out on latching onto to Greaves’ back heel in the area. This is not to say that Lowestoft weren’t looking for a way back in, and almost did if not for a great footed save from goalkeeper Dave Carnell. The build-up for United’s second goal began with returning centre-half Lacy who found Madeley and then Thomson who squared to Greaves. The talisman took his time before coolly blasting the ball into the roof of the net on the stroke of half time. Already pleased with a 2-0 lead going into the break, the FC United faithful were in for a further treat when Lacy made it three. A stoppage time corner came in and Luke Ashworth had his header cleared off the line but only as far as Lacy who blasted home. United were looking lively early in the second period and Harry Winter almost got on the scoresheet with a low drive that was deflected out for a corner. The set piece came in and the header back across goal was picked up by Madeley who somehow negotiated the gap between the keeper and defender on the Lowestoft line to bundle the ball into the back of the net. Shortly afterwards, manager Karl Marginson opted for wholesale changes, bringing off Madeley, Winter and Greaves and giving game time to Tom Brown, Daniels and Lindfield. As the Reds were settling back into their stride following the triple substitution, Lowestoft were trawling for a consolation. The ball came in from the left, Danny Crow managed to flick it on at the near post and although Carnell got a hand to it, it wasn’t enough to save a clean sheet. It didn’t take too long for the Reds to respond as Daniels got in on the scoring with 10 minutes to go. The substitute battled on the right and, despite being fouled, benefitted from the referee’s advantage and went onto finish from a tight angle from inside the area. FC United finish the second half as they had the first with a goal at the end of normal time to seal an emphatic victory and eradicate memories of last Saturday’s defeat. Brownhill crossed and Lindfield was loitering at the near post to flick it past the keeper to make it six. Three points on the board lifts FC United up to 14th and consistency will now be the key as the Reds press on with the second half of the season. Website man of the match – Chris Chantler. Impressed on his debut, balancing out the back line and creating chances going forward. Report by Victoria Fullen