FC's cup hopes dashed at first hurdle by Chorley

FC United’s hopes of an FA Cup run will have to be put on ice for another year after Margy’s men went down 1-0 at home to Chorley in a tight encounter at Gigg Lane today.

FC United’s road to Wembley became more of a cul-de-sac as they failed to get past Chorley in the first round of qualifying. After a fairly even first half, a livelier second period ensued in which Tom Davies saw red and the Magpies scored the goal which separated the two sides.

People United at Gigg Lane for a break from league action and the United support welcomed a duo of familiar faces back to Gigg Lane in the form of Sam Ashton and Jake Cottrell, both of whom were regulars on the FC team sheet in their day.

FC United started quite brightly, having a free kick in a good position which was headed clear and shortly after Tom Greaves received the ball in the area and whilst sandwiched between two managed a shot which he could only hit into the Cemetery End.

Just short of ten minutes in, Chris Worsley had a go from outside the area and Ashton could only parry. Matthew Wolfenden was there inside the six yard box and as he looked to go for goal, United appealed for a hand ball inside the area which went unnoticed.

More chances came for the Reds, but Marginson’s side were lacking the final ball and although showing more attacking potential couldn’t find the target. It was beyond the half-hour mark when United were awarded the first corner of the game from which Ashton punched the ball clear as far as Worsley who found the head of Davies. The centre-half’s powerful connection put the ball over the bar.

Close to the end of the half, the visitors also profited from a United mistake. James Spencer’s poor clearance fell to Dale Whitham who saw the FC keeper off the line and aimed for the open net. Luckily for United, Whitham’s effort soared high over the bar.

Chorley pressured early in the second half and a close call in the United six yard box almost saw the deadlock broken. Shortly after, the Reds appealed for another hand ball inside the Magpies’ area as Jerome Wright tried to bring the ball inside, but again nothing was given.

With five minutes of the half played, United became steadily more acquainted with the referee’s book, beginning with a yellow card for Lee Neville for a high tackle on Cottrell. Contentiously, yellow turned to red, this time Davies with his name being taken. Josh Hine was through and goal and Davies made a fantastic tackle to bring the ball away from danger. Despite being pulled back relentlessly over a twenty yard stretch as he attempted to bring the ball forward, Davies committed a two-footed tackle himself and it was this that was punished as the centre-half was dismissed. Wright also earned a booking for dissent in the aftermath.

After a few dubious decisions, the atmosphere inside the ground picked up and it wasn’t long before the visiting support grew louder as they had a goal to celebrate. Whitman, who had just headed over the bar, latched onto Cottrell’s through ball and as Spencer went ground, Whitman went on to guide the ball across the line and Neville, desperately trying to prevent Chorley taking the lead, could only follow the ball into his own net.

Immediately, Dave Birch came on in place of Greg Daniels in the first of United’s substitutions. Shortly after, the Reds came within inches of scoring as Wolfenden found Liam Brownhill on the overlap and the right-back played the ball goal wards. Ashton almost palmed the ball into the net but managed to steer it onto the top netting.

On 76 minutes, FC altered their attacking options, bringing on both Matthew Walwyn and Mike Norton. Tom Greaves and Neville made way, leaving Wright to play out the remainder of the game at left-back.

Chorley nearly doubled their advantage, if not for a good save down by his near post from Spencer and as the minutes on the clock dwindled, United were looking for a way back in and had chances to do so. Walwyn’s cross from the left met with Andy Pearson whose glancing header forced a flying save from Ashton. From the resulting corner, Wolfenden was pushed to ground directly in front of the referee, but again no penalty was awarded.

Into added time, an FC corner brought Spencer from his net and to the opposite area, and although the keeper got his head to the ball this was really the last throw of the dice for the ten men of United.

After a few datable calls, a red card and only a goal between them, the encounter was largely a closely fought one, which proved that there’s very little between United and the current league leaders.

It is the league which the Reds’ focus now returns to as they travel to Stafford next Saturday.

Report by Victoria Fullen.

Website Man of the Match: Chris Worsley – there could have been a few candidates, but Worsley was again influential across the park.