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Reds edged out by Lancaster

FC United suffered a 2-1 opening day defeat to a professional performance from a well-organised Lancaster City in front of 2,257 supporters, but there were plenty of positives to take from the match against the former Blue Square side.

The Reds were arguably worth a draw but the Dolly Blues made life difficult for the UniBond Division One North new boys and successfully shut up shop after taking the lead on the stroke of half time from a contentious corner.

An Ian Stevens header broke the deadlock and United were constantly chasing the game from there on after. The Reds’ best chances came late on as captain David Chadwick hit the bar with a header, Rob Nugent glanced one just wide and substitute Simon Carden nearly got the desperately needed goal with a spectacular over-head kick that fizzed past the post.

In truth though, United had to resort to too many hopeful balls into the box as the defence was well marshalled by ’keeper Mark Thornley and once in the lead the hosts were content to nullify the threat of United rather than pressing forward themselves.

Almost inevitably, James Love scored an easy tap in with a minute to go after the Reds were caught overstretched searching for the equaliser. The only consolation was Jerome Wright sneaking through the Blues’ defence seconds later to latch onto a ball before delicately slipping it past the onrushing Thornley.



First Posted ~ 10:03 Mon 20 Aug 2007
News ID ~ 1112
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021