Match Report

FC United failed to bring back any points from Birkenhead as they threw away a one goal lead to go down 2-1 to Cammell Laird in their first away game of the season.

Kyle Wilson gave the Reds the lead but an encouraging display at Kirklands Stadium was ultimately undone by two defensive mistakes in the first half. Lairds frontman Neil Black was on hand to finish on both occasions and claim three points for the hosts.

Both sides looked evenly matched in the early exchanges and it was Margy’s men who broke the deadlock with their first real attempt at goal after 20 minutes. Dale Whitehead’s expert through ball found Wilson on the edge of the box and the Reds new striker turned to fire over the keeper and into the top corner.

The lead was soon lost as Cammell Laird broke down the right. With Sam Ashton on a walkabout somewhere on the edge of the penalty box Mark Reed was allowed free reign to find Black unmarked in front of goal.

And the home side went into the interval ahead thanks to a deft chip over the top from midfielder Desmeareux that left the United defence standing still and allowed Black to calmly collect his second.

After the break Adam Turner began to settle in nicely at the back to help restrict Cammell Laird’s efforts, while the introduction of the Baguley brothers added some creativity and a calming influence in midfield.

But despite playing some good football, United’s goal chances were rare and the Lairds defence dealt well with a late aerial bombardment. And the feeling that it just wasn’t going to be the Reds night was clear when a clash of the captains saw a late Dave Chadwick penalty claim fall on deaf ears.

Margy’s men now travel to Buxton on Saturday looking for their first win of the current campaign.

Report by Mark Swanwick.