FC United in seventh heaven beating King's Lynn + Highlights

FC United moved to within six points of league leaders Chorley, with a game in hand, by beating King’s Lynn 2-0 at Gigg Lane on Saturday afternoon, thanks to two goals from Michael Norton.

Norton pounced in the 25th minute with a great header from a corner and he wrapped up the match with a bizarre second goal in the 90th minute when he took advantage of a mix up in the visiting defence. The ball was passed along the deadball line to goalkeeper Alexander Street who seemingly thought that it had gone out of play but it clearly hadn’t. After momentary hesitation, Norton realised that the loose ball was still in play and, playing to the whistle, he casually slotted the ball home for 2-0, much to the Linnets’ protestations.

The goal capped off another important win for the Reds as we hosted a record home crowd for the season of 2,083, whilst celebrating International Women’s Day with ‘A Woman’s Place is at the Match.’ The game itself didn’t truly compare in terms of quality to encounters seen of late, however, a further three points in the bag sees the FC United close the gap at the top as both Chorley and Skelmersdale lost on Saturday.

The only changes from last week’s win away at Stocksbridge were Lee Neville and Dave Birch starting in place of Adam Jones and Dean Stott respectively. Kings Lynn’s Liam Hurst almost came in with a shout early on, catching Dave Carnell off his line and being prevented only from getting the ball in front of an open net by an interception from centre-half, Tom Davies.

United made a slow start to the game, struggling to make anything happen, however 25 minutes in, Norton broke the deadlock. Liam Brownhill’s corner from the left, FC’s first of the game, came over to the far post and Norton headed it past Street from inside a crowded six yard box.

Ten minutes later, Carnell made a superb save to deny the Linnets, tipping the ball over the bar before Wolfenden almost managed to latch onto a Jerome Wright through-ball in the box in a great position, however the connection was too slight and Street was untroubled. The Reds, spurred on by the opener, finished the half the stronger of the two.

Injuries and altercations seemed to be a theme of the second half with Norton receiving a head injury and a few minutes later substitute Massiah McDonald found himself in the book for elbowing Davies in the face. Both United players were fortunately able to continue after treatment.

McDonald had an opportunity to equalise just after the hour mark, running through on goal and despite looking to be offside, the flag stayed down and it looked as though the striker would test Carnell. Whether offside or not, the decision didn’t have as bigger impact as it could have done as McDonald mishit his shot completely.

Neville had a great chance to extend the lead with a header inches wide of Street’s right post, before Astley Mulholland replaced Tom Greaves and almost made an instant impression. The substitute’s cross from the left found Norton at the far post whose close range header was saved. Mulholland then picked up the ball from Wolfenden and ran through one-on-one; missing an excellent chance to get onto the score sheet.

Minutes later, King’s Lynn forward Jake Jones was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Birch, who was booked for his reaction to the challenge. With three minutes of normal time to play, Joe Fox came on in place of Callum Byrne and a minute later United’s first substitute Mulholland missed another great opportunity in front of goal.

As the clock hit 90 minutes, Norton preyed upon the confusion of the King’s Lynn keeper to nick a second goal. Whilst the encounter may not have been a visual footballing feast, another win sees the Reds sitting comfortably inside the play offs, with the chance to further climb the table if games in hand are won.

Report by Victoria Fullen

Website Man of the Match: Tom Davies – the newly signed Fleetwood centre-half, back on loan to the Reds, continued to show his commitment to FC United’s campaign with another solid performance.