FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

FC United sink Marine to get back on track + highlights



A Tom Davies volley and Jerome Wright penalty gave FC United three points in a 2-0 victory at Marine on Saturday afternoon as the Reds recorded our first league victory of 2014.

Davies fired home when Marine failed to clear a corner 10 minutes before half-time and Wright added the second from the spot eight minutes before full-time after he’d been brought down in the box.

The win puts FC United into ninth place, four points from the play-off places with a game in hand as we made ground on several of our promotion rivals who suffered postponements.

Having had the last two games postponed, the first day of February finally hailed a playable fixture for FC United away to Marine on a wet and windy afternoon in Crosby. The conditions would be sure to play a part in the encounter; the pitch already fairly cut up and not helped by the rain which made its untimely appearance just before kick off.

Adam Jones, playing in the left-back role, saved United from an early embarrassment as a Davies slip allowed the Marine forward through and Jones was able to provide a vital interception. Callum Byrne also eyed goal in the first couple of minutes with a strong shot which was parried by Callum Williams between the Marine sticks.

Despite making a bright, attacking start, United were guilty of giving the ball away a couple of times in the midfield, allowing Marine to come forward.

Connor Roberts-Nurse was proving to be a good outlet for the home side down the right, beating both Wright and Jones into the area and forcing Byrne to poke the ball out for a corner to prevent the cross, from which Mike Norton headed the ball clear from under the cross bar.

On 11 minutes, the Reds were forced into substituting Dave Birch and the injured captain handed his armband over to Dean Stott in a like-for-like swap; Stott coming into the game much earlier than expected.

United were passing the ball about well and Wright was seeing much of the action, crossing well and almost setting Tom Greaves up for a header at the far post which forced a corner. Minutes later, Wright’s cross again was effective, headed back by Norton into the path of Liam Brownhill who blasted his effort wide from the edge of the area.

FC were up against the strong winds in the first half as cross-field balls were rarely reaching their intended destinations and Dave Carnell’s goal kicks were struggling to cross the halfway line. Roberts-Nurse had a speculative wind-assisted shot from wide on the right which forced the United keeper to tip the ball over the bar. The Reds initially dealt with the resultant corner but failure to clear their lines fully allowed Marine to get in a low shot which Carnell did well to get down to at his near post.

Joe Foster played the ball into Will Jones in a great position in front of goal and with Charlie Raglan a spectator, United were fortunate when Jones just missed the connection.

On 35 minutes, it was the Reds celebrating when Davies put his side ahead. A short corner to Byrne was fired goal wards before coming back off the defender to the centre-half who volleyed from inside the area just as the sun emerged.

United played towards the main stand in the second half and were looking to build on their first half goal. Stott’s effort was deflected over the bar by a defender and Greaves through on goal forced Williams off his line to push the ball out of the path of the centre forward.

A spell of stoppage ensued around the hour mark as Greg Daniels received treatment. Carnell was then left almost needing the physio himself after making a great stop off his line to deny Jones, the keeper taking the ball in the face. Daniels returned briefly to the pitch but was then deemed unable to continue and was replaced by Chris Worsley.

Greaves had the ball in the net midway into the half but, to much protestation from the United support, the goal was ruled offside. Brownhill nicked the ball in the centre of the park and came forward before slipping it through to Greaves, but the flag was up as he beat Williams. The Reds could have done with a two-goal cushion as Marine were on the lookout for an equaliser.

Carnell made another great stop for the Reds from one of substitute Matty Devine’s crosses, which were proving a strong weapon for Marine. Norton then shot wide at the opposite end of the park as United looked to extend their lead. On 83 minutes, they were able to do so. Wright was brought down in the area and although the home fans loudly contested the decision, a penalty was given. Wright stepped up to coolly convert from the spot.

United saw out the game much the better side and picked up a deserved three points on the road after a very good performance in difficult conditions. They now lie in ninth place but can progress up the table should they win their games in hand, the first of which being against Stafford Rangers at home next weekend.

Website Man of the Match: Jerome Wright – another good game for the winger, who has looked impressive since returning from a lengthy spell of injury.

Report by Vic Fullen



First Posted ~ 16:52 Sat 1 Feb 2014
News ID ~ 5332
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021