Match Report

FC Lose Unbeaten Start to the Season in Bank Holiday Defeat

Mark Beesley's side lost for the first time this season, with Ashton United the 3-1 winners at Hurst Cross.

It was FC who had the best of the early exchanges, but it was the hosts who took the lead with a well-worked move just before the half hour mark. A one-two between Tomlinson and Burke saw the latter find space in the box and he finished well on the volley.

FC responded well, with Jordan Buckley drawing a good save from Eastham at close range, before hitting the inside of the post with a header from a corner on the stroke of half-time. The big negative for the Reds came five minutes before the break with captain Charlie Ennis being forced off with an injury.

The start of the second half was a fairly even affair, but it was the Robins who got the next goal. A quick counter-attack ultimately saw Byrne in acres of space on the box and he finished to double the lead.

However, just two minutes later, the Reds got themselves back in the game. Jan Palinkas, who had come on just after half-time following a knock to Rudy Misambo, rose highest at a corner to cut the lead back to one.

From then on it was all FC. Dec Evans saw a header flash just wide of the post with fifteen minutes to go, before Jordan Buckley saw a bouncing ball fall to him on the edge of the six yard box, but he didn't get a clean connection, allowing Eastham to make the save. With normal time expiring, Buckley again had a chance to equalise, as Ron Sithole found him with a low cross. He did well to turn and find space, but struggled to get any power on the shot allowing Eastham to make a comfortable save.

Deep into injury time, goalkeeper Atherton came up for a corner as the Reds looked for a last-ditch equaliser. However FC were caught out on the counter-attack, with Rowe finishing into the empty net from around 40 yards.

After the match, manager Mark Beesley reflected on the missed chances, saying his side had created enough chances to win three games, and pointed to another positive performance despite the result.