FC United suffer narrow 1-0 defeat at Atherton Collieries
FC United of Manchester slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to near-neighbours Atherton Collieries, during a tightly contested Pitching In Northern Premier League match at Alder House on Saturday afternoon.
A crowd of 730 supporters braved the snowy weather to see Collieries' Jay Fitzmartin score the game's only goal with a sweetly-struck free kick in the 33rd minute. FC United's chances of fighting their way back into proceedings were dealt a major blow just minutes into the second half when substitute Faisu Sangare was shown a straight red card, following a scuffle with Atherton Collieries' Marcus Cusani.
The Reds were looking to gain a first league win in five matches from the encounter. Despite their numerical disadvantage, they gave a spirited account of themselves only to encounter a resolute defensive performance from Collieries, with home team goalkeeper Mackenzie Chapman making several vital saves in the second half to preserve the win for his side.
Despite a bright start for the visitors – who gave a debut to striker Max Cane – it was Atherton who fired the first warning shots to their opponents with two good chances on goal. Firstly, Collieries' captain Danny Lafferty forced a smart save from United keeper Dan Lavercombe, with a header to the near post.
That was soon followed by a potent free-kick from Fitzmartin, who was unlucky to send his set piece sailing narrowly over the bar in the 21st minute. Just 10 minutes later, Atherton had the lead after being awarded, what looked like a soft free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. This time Fitzmartin made the most of his set piece opportunity, curling the ball expertly past the wall and into the FC United net.
The goal appeared to have a galvanising effect on the away side, who enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, and went close to gaining an equaliser through Keegan Hartley, who saw his fizzing effort from distance tipped over the crossbar by Chapman. Minutes later, midfielder Luke Griffiths was desperately unlucky to send a cultured shot just narrowly wide of the post, from a good effort just outside the penalty area.
The task of turning the game around was made even tougher for FC United when half-time substitute Sangare was sent off early in the second half following a scuffle with Atherton Collieries' Cusani, leaving FC United with a real uphill battle to get back into the game.
Following the forward's dismissal, FC United appeared to rally and launched a spirited effort to find a way back into the game. In the 63rd minute, Griffiths forced Collieries' keeper Chapman into another stunning fingertip save from a searing free-kick, while Dontai Gabidon was unlucky to see a goal bound effort smothered by a low block.
As the half wore on, it began to feel increasingly like it was destined not to be FC United's day. Reds' boss Neil Reynolds was visibly frustrated by the referee's decision not to award a penalty to the his side when Cane was dragged back in the penalty area in the 75th minute. This was met with understandable ire from many in the away dugout, and their travelling support.
FC United continued to press until the final whistle, but the deficit of an extra man proved too much of a hurdle to overcome. This was despite a good late chance falling to substitute Charlie Ennis, who forced another fine save from Chapman at close range.
After the game FC United boss Neil Reynolds congratulated Atherton on their win, but also cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interview; “I'm very proud of the boys overall, and I thought they were excellent in the second half with 10 men. It's hard to keep your head up in situations like that sometimes, but we created good chances, and were unlucky that a few decisions went against us.”
Website man of the match: Luke Griffiths. A creative and battling performance from the Red's midfielder, who was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half.
Report by Sam Turner
FC United suffer narrow 1-0 defeat at Atherton Collieries
FC United of Manchester slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to near-neighbours Atherton Collieries, during a tightly contested Pitching In Northern Premier League match at Alder House on Saturday afternoon.
A crowd of 730 supporters braved the snowy weather to see Collieries' Jay Fitzmartin score the game's only goal with a sweetly-struck free kick in the 33rd minute. FC United's chances of fighting their way back into proceedings were dealt a major blow just minutes into the second half when substitute Faisu Sangare was shown a straight red card, following a scuffle with Atherton Collieries' Marcus Cusani.
The Reds were looking to gain a first league win in five matches from the encounter. Despite their numerical disadvantage, they gave a spirited account of themselves only to encounter a resolute defensive performance from Collieries, with home team goalkeeper Mackenzie Chapman making several vital saves in the second half to preserve the win for his side.
Despite a bright start for the visitors – who gave a debut to striker Max Cane – it was Atherton who fired the first warning shots to their opponents with two good chances on goal. Firstly, Collieries' captain Danny Lafferty forced a smart save from United keeper Dan Lavercombe, with a header to the near post.
That was soon followed by a potent free-kick from Fitzmartin, who was unlucky to send his set piece sailing narrowly over the bar in the 21st minute. Just 10 minutes later, Atherton had the lead after being awarded, what looked like a soft free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. This time Fitzmartin made the most of his set piece opportunity, curling the ball expertly past the wall and into the FC United net.
The goal appeared to have a galvanising effect on the away side, who enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, and went close to gaining an equaliser through Keegan Hartley, who saw his fizzing effort from distance tipped over the crossbar by Chapman. Minutes later, midfielder Luke Griffiths was desperately unlucky to send a cultured shot just narrowly wide of the post, from a good effort just outside the penalty area.
The task of turning the game around was made even tougher for FC United when half-time substitute Sangare was sent off early in the second half following a scuffle with Atherton Collieries' Cusani, leaving FC United with a real uphill battle to get back into the game.
Following the forward's dismissal, FC United appeared to rally and launched a spirited effort to find a way back into the game. In the 63rd minute, Griffiths forced Collieries' keeper Chapman into another stunning fingertip save from a searing free-kick, while Dontai Gabidon was unlucky to see a goal bound effort smothered by a low block.
As the half wore on, it began to feel increasingly like it was destined not to be FC United's day. Reds' boss Neil Reynolds was visibly frustrated by the referee's decision not to award a penalty to the his side when Cane was dragged back in the penalty area in the 75th minute. This was met with understandable ire from many in the away dugout, and their travelling support.
FC United continued to press until the final whistle, but the deficit of an extra man proved too much of a hurdle to overcome. This was despite a good late chance falling to substitute Charlie Ennis, who forced another fine save from Chapman at close range.
After the game FC United boss Neil Reynolds congratulated Atherton on their win, but also cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interview; “I'm very proud of the boys overall, and I thought they were excellent in the second half with 10 men. It's hard to keep your head up in situations like that sometimes, but we created good chances, and were unlucky that a few decisions went against us.”
Website man of the match: Luke Griffiths. A creative and battling performance from the Red's midfielder, who was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half.
Report by Sam Turner
