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MATCH REPORT: FC move six points clear of relegation by beating league leaders Solihull Moors

FC United moved six points clear of the relegation zone by beating league leaders Solihull Moors 2-1 in the West Midlands on Tuesday night with goals from Jerome Wright and George Thomson.

The Reds were well worth their victory, which sees them move up to 14th place in the Vanarama National League North. Captain Wright got the opening goal inside the first minute and United led 1-0 at half-time.

Akwasi Asante bagged the equaliser for The Moors within the first minute of the second half at Damson Park but Thomson struck the winner just two minutes later.

The visitors from Manchester won a free-kick straight from the kick-off. The ball was played out to Wright, who saw his cross evade everyone to drop into the net. Only Wright can say if it was intentional or not but no one of a Red persuasion was complaining.

The goal certainly set up FC United nicely and they enjoyed a great spell playing some sparkling football. Striker Dale Johnson was bright on his debut and he played in Thomson who took too long over his shot and the ball was cleared.

The Reds saw plenty of shots deflected wide. Just after the half hour, Thomson came close again after a good FC United move, his goal bound shot being blocked. The closest the home side came was when Luke Ashworth sliced the ball over his own keeper, the ball dropping wide.

The second half started well for the home side when a ball was played into the FC box. It was headed down to Asante who slotted past Dave Carnell.

However, the sides were only level for two minutes when a ball was played into Thomson who kept his cool to fire past Danny Lewis.

Solihull, as expected, saw much of the ball but the FC defence was looking solid. With just under 20 minutes to go, luck smiled on United when Asante turned and shot, only to see the ball crash back off the crossbar. It hit Carnell on his back and was rolling goalwards until the FC custodian collapsed on the ball.

Down at the other end, FC United were hitting Moors on the break and Wright went close after a mazy run, his shot being blocked. Deep into stoppage time, the home almost grabbed a share of the points when a free-kick was launched into the box. It fell to a home attacker who saw his shot hacked off the line.

All in all this was probably the best performance of the season from FC United, with crisp, swift passing and solid defending.

Website man of the match - Jerome Wright. Set the game alight inside 30 seconds and looked a threat each time he had the ball.

Report by Steven Wood


First Posted ~ 21:41 Tue 15 Mar 2016
News ID ~ 6716
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021