Match Report
FC United slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City in front of 4,158 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds were undone by a well worked James Poole goal inside the first 15 minutes. The Ammies then sealed victory with two headers at the near post from corners scored by Michael Nottingham, on 56 minutes, and Jordan Hulme in stoppage time.
Backed by owners worth billions, Salford are on a fast track towards the Football League. As such, the Ammies were always going to be tough opponents. However, even taking that into account, FC United will be disappointed that they rarely troubled the visitors until late on in the game.
Salford were worthy winners and could have had a hatful of goals. The scoreline was kept just about respectable by goalkeeper Adriano Basso and some poor finishing by Salford.
The visitors bombarded the Reds’ goal for the first 15 minutes and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Basso pulled off a couple of early saves but he could do nothing to prevent Poole slotting the opening goal into the far corner after good link up play on the edge of the box.
Poole was pulling Salford’s strings and proving too hot to handle. Fortunately for FC United, he was substituted due to a thigh strain minutes after scoring.
Salford’s enforced changed seemed to result in the visitors losing their rhythm and allowed United to get into the game. But, despite good possession, the Reds were restricted to half chances with goalkeeper Jay Lynch only having to make one save of any note in the first half, which came from a tame Jason Gilchrist effort.
Into the second half and at 1-0 there was plenty of belief that the Reds could get back into the match. However, they were dealt a hammer blow just 11 minutes after the restart. A corner from the left was headed home at the near post by Nottingham far too easily and FC United were 2-0 down.
Karl Marginson’s side worked hard to find a way back into the match but too many passes went astray against a well organised Salford side. Lynch’s goal was only troubled in the last five minutes of the match.
The best chance fell to Harry Winter with three minutes to go. Substitute Sam Sheridan whipped in a corner to the back post. Winter took the ball down and tried to be composed rather than snatching at it. But he took too long and his close range effort was smothered by a defender.
Moments later, another corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble and Gilchrist’s powerful header was saved by Lynch on the line. It was heartening stuff but ultimately too little, too late for FC United.
Almost inevitably, Salford showed the Reds how to do it one more time. With United piling forward, the Ammies hit them on the break and won a corner. Two minutes into stoppage time, Hulme replicated Nottingham’s goal with ease as FC United once again failed to deal with a set piece.
The main positives from the day came off the pitch. The match attendance, swelled by a few hundred Salford fans, was FC United’s highest league gate since 2006 and the bars were packed for hours before kick-off with supporters socialising and putting money into the club.
Next up, FC United host fellow supporter owned side SV Austria Salzburg as we welcome our European guests for an international friendly match to celebrate fan owned football and the fact money can’t buy our clubs.
Website man of the match - Harry Winter. Worked hard all afternoon, threw himself around and tried to get United going.
Report by Matthew Haley
Match Report
FC United slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City in front of 4,158 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds were undone by a well worked James Poole goal inside the first 15 minutes. The Ammies then sealed victory with two headers at the near post from corners scored by Michael Nottingham, on 56 minutes, and Jordan Hulme in stoppage time.
Backed by owners worth billions, Salford are on a fast track towards the Football League. As such, the Ammies were always going to be tough opponents. However, even taking that into account, FC United will be disappointed that they rarely troubled the visitors until late on in the game.
Salford were worthy winners and could have had a hatful of goals. The scoreline was kept just about respectable by goalkeeper Adriano Basso and some poor finishing by Salford.
The visitors bombarded the Reds’ goal for the first 15 minutes and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Basso pulled off a couple of early saves but he could do nothing to prevent Poole slotting the opening goal into the far corner after good link up play on the edge of the box.
Poole was pulling Salford’s strings and proving too hot to handle. Fortunately for FC United, he was substituted due to a thigh strain minutes after scoring.
Salford’s enforced changed seemed to result in the visitors losing their rhythm and allowed United to get into the game. But, despite good possession, the Reds were restricted to half chances with goalkeeper Jay Lynch only having to make one save of any note in the first half, which came from a tame Jason Gilchrist effort.
Into the second half and at 1-0 there was plenty of belief that the Reds could get back into the match. However, they were dealt a hammer blow just 11 minutes after the restart. A corner from the left was headed home at the near post by Nottingham far too easily and FC United were 2-0 down.
Karl Marginson’s side worked hard to find a way back into the match but too many passes went astray against a well organised Salford side. Lynch’s goal was only troubled in the last five minutes of the match.
The best chance fell to Harry Winter with three minutes to go. Substitute Sam Sheridan whipped in a corner to the back post. Winter took the ball down and tried to be composed rather than snatching at it. But he took too long and his close range effort was smothered by a defender.
Moments later, another corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble and Gilchrist’s powerful header was saved by Lynch on the line. It was heartening stuff but ultimately too little, too late for FC United.
Almost inevitably, Salford showed the Reds how to do it one more time. With United piling forward, the Ammies hit them on the break and won a corner. Two minutes into stoppage time, Hulme replicated Nottingham’s goal with ease as FC United once again failed to deal with a set piece.
The main positives from the day came off the pitch. The match attendance, swelled by a few hundred Salford fans, was FC United’s highest league gate since 2006 and the bars were packed for hours before kick-off with supporters socialising and putting money into the club.
Next up, FC United host fellow supporter owned side SV Austria Salzburg as we welcome our European guests for an international friendly match to celebrate fan owned football and the fact money can’t buy our clubs.
Website man of the match - Harry Winter. Worked hard all afternoon, threw himself around and tried to get United going.
Report by Matthew Haley
