Match Report
FC United ‘s youth will be happy to put the game against Altrincham behind them after losing to the odd goal in nine. Credit has to be given for a battling performance from Altrincham but in truth FC deserved little from the game.
There was an early hint of what was to come when, with less than a minute gone, the home side were awarded a penalty. It was firmly struck but came back off the cross bar and was cleared. It seemed to provide a wake- up call as FC then got their game going. They took the lead in the 16th minute when awarded a free kick just outside the box. Thomas Minnock fired over the wall and straight into the net. Thomas doubled the lead five minutes late, slotting past the keeper after an exchange of passes saw him clear of the home defence. It could have been three soon after but another free kick hit the bar.
From then on FC seemed determined to make hard work of the game, Altrincham got another penalty after 34 minutes, perhaps harshly awarded for handball but coolly slotted home with Andrew Farrimond going the wrong way. There was no further scoring although Thomas could have completed his hat-trick on 40 minutes but fired narrowly wide. Then as a ball forward to Jonathan Poizer was mis-controlled a clearing tackle fired the ball out for a corner, but closer to an own goal than anyone on the Altrincham bench would have been happy with.
The second half began quietly although Sam Howell came close in the 50th minute. From then on it was a defensive horror show from FC as Altrincham took charge of the game. In the 56th minute, Duncan Watmore took advantage of hesitation to get a shot in that Andrew Farrimond saved, however he was first to react to the rebound and calmly slotted home the equaliser. Oliver Riley made it 3-2 to the home team on 68 minutes when he was given time to shoot in off the bar.
This did spark a response from FC as two minutes later it was 3-3; Brian Totton passed to Theo Kidd who bundled the ball goalwards although from the bench it was hard to see how Altrincham failed to stop it trickling over the line. It could have been 4-3 to Altrincham a minute later as Watmore embarrassed the FC central defenders but shot wide. It was FC that scored next a minute after that. A cross saw substitute Ryan Westwood seemingly with a shooting chance which he did not take. However he did cross the ball back and it broke for Thomas Minnock to fire home. Altrincham equalised again in the 83rd minute as Riley found it all too easy to get the better of the FC defence.
The final action, in which either side could have won it came as injury time approached. FC were awarded a penalty, Theo Kidd stepped up and hit a tame shot to the keepers left which was easily saved. Although the rebound found its way into the net, the referee had already blown to order a re-take for Altrincham encroachment. The second attempt was put in the same place and saved as easily, but this time Altrincham were first to respond and raced up the other end to score with one man getting the better of three defenders. The game ended shortly afterwards with little further action and the visitors trooped off to contemplate what had gone wrong.
FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Obrian Richards, James Brookes (Alex Stones 45 mins), Nikeele Locke, Kyle Cunningham, Asima Matabaro (Connor Naughtopn 62 mins), Jonathan Poizer (Ryan Wallwork 51 mins), Thomas Minnock, Theo Kidd, Brian Totton, Sam Howell. Subs not used: Kane Joyce and Matthew Hassall.
Goals: Thomas Minnock (3) & Theo Kidd
Cautioned: James Brooks.
Match Report
FC United ‘s youth will be happy to put the game against Altrincham behind them after losing to the odd goal in nine. Credit has to be given for a battling performance from Altrincham but in truth FC deserved little from the game.
There was an early hint of what was to come when, with less than a minute gone, the home side were awarded a penalty. It was firmly struck but came back off the cross bar and was cleared. It seemed to provide a wake- up call as FC then got their game going. They took the lead in the 16th minute when awarded a free kick just outside the box. Thomas Minnock fired over the wall and straight into the net. Thomas doubled the lead five minutes late, slotting past the keeper after an exchange of passes saw him clear of the home defence. It could have been three soon after but another free kick hit the bar.
From then on FC seemed determined to make hard work of the game, Altrincham got another penalty after 34 minutes, perhaps harshly awarded for handball but coolly slotted home with Andrew Farrimond going the wrong way. There was no further scoring although Thomas could have completed his hat-trick on 40 minutes but fired narrowly wide. Then as a ball forward to Jonathan Poizer was mis-controlled a clearing tackle fired the ball out for a corner, but closer to an own goal than anyone on the Altrincham bench would have been happy with.
The second half began quietly although Sam Howell came close in the 50th minute. From then on it was a defensive horror show from FC as Altrincham took charge of the game. In the 56th minute, Duncan Watmore took advantage of hesitation to get a shot in that Andrew Farrimond saved, however he was first to react to the rebound and calmly slotted home the equaliser. Oliver Riley made it 3-2 to the home team on 68 minutes when he was given time to shoot in off the bar.
This did spark a response from FC as two minutes later it was 3-3; Brian Totton passed to Theo Kidd who bundled the ball goalwards although from the bench it was hard to see how Altrincham failed to stop it trickling over the line. It could have been 4-3 to Altrincham a minute later as Watmore embarrassed the FC central defenders but shot wide. It was FC that scored next a minute after that. A cross saw substitute Ryan Westwood seemingly with a shooting chance which he did not take. However he did cross the ball back and it broke for Thomas Minnock to fire home. Altrincham equalised again in the 83rd minute as Riley found it all too easy to get the better of the FC defence.
The final action, in which either side could have won it came as injury time approached. FC were awarded a penalty, Theo Kidd stepped up and hit a tame shot to the keepers left which was easily saved. Although the rebound found its way into the net, the referee had already blown to order a re-take for Altrincham encroachment. The second attempt was put in the same place and saved as easily, but this time Altrincham were first to respond and raced up the other end to score with one man getting the better of three defenders. The game ended shortly afterwards with little further action and the visitors trooped off to contemplate what had gone wrong.
FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Obrian Richards, James Brookes (Alex Stones 45 mins), Nikeele Locke, Kyle Cunningham, Asima Matabaro (Connor Naughtopn 62 mins), Jonathan Poizer (Ryan Wallwork 51 mins), Thomas Minnock, Theo Kidd, Brian Totton, Sam Howell. Subs not used: Kane Joyce and Matthew Hassall.
Goals: Thomas Minnock (3) & Theo Kidd
Cautioned: James Brooks.
