FC United slump to defeat at Worksop

FC United’s poor run of form continued with a dismal second half performance that saw a 1-0 half time lead evaporate into a 4-1 defeat with the Reds’ generosity matching the home club’s decision to donate the gate receipts from the game to Sheffield Childrens Hospital.

It was Worksop who had the first chance on goal when a cross from the right was met by the towering Tom Denton. His goalbound header was cleared from the line by Dean Stott. Two minutes later, The Reds took the lead when a ball in from Lee Neville was deflected into the path of Matthew Wolfenden who tapped the ball into the net.

Astley Mulholland was a constant threat on the left hand side and he produced a great cross to Mike Norton who could only head at the keeper.

It was FC who was seeing the majority of the ball, The Tigers were reduced to the odd half chance, Jake Cottrell superbly blocking a shot from Matt Young and James Spencer saving well from Martin Ball.

On the balance of play it looked to be a case of when, not if, FC would score a second but all too often the final ball into the box wasn’t up to standard or too many touches were taken when it was crying out for a shot.

The second half seemed to start well for FC, Neville firing the ball narrowly over the bar. But on 51 minutes Worksop were level when a ball into the box found Leon Mettam who took a touch and calmly rolled it past Spencer.

Just a minute later, Cottrell fired a free kick narrowly wide but it didn’t take long for The Tigers to take a lead they never lost. Neville lost the ball in the Worksop half and it was played long towards Mettam who was too strong for Stott. He beat him to the ball before side footing into the net.

On 73 minutes the lead was increased when Adam Jones tripped Mettam in the box. Ash Burbeary placed the ball on the spot and slotted home the penalty.

FC were trying to take a foothold back into the game but couldn’t find a way through the home defence that had looked shaky in the first half. Substitute Matt Walwyn headed the ball wide and fired a shot into the side-netting but these were really only token attempts at goal and on 81 minutes a ball forward again caught the FC defence napping and Bearbeary took a touch before lifting the ball over Spencer to make the score 4-1.

All-in-all, it was a game that will leave manager Karl Marginson with more questions and than answers with a very poor all round second half performance.

Steven Wood

Man of the match - Astley Mulholland. A threat and danger in the first half and before his substitution, the only player to look a threat in the second half.