Match Report
A late screamer from Matthew Tierney snatched all three points for FC United at Chorley as the Reds won 2-1 thanks also to Michael Norton’s first half goal.
With the hosts hitting the bar three times, there’s no doubt that United rode their luck but smash and grab victories are often the sign of a good team and it was about time the Reds started showing they are exactly that.
The Magpies began the brighter of the two sides, knocking the ball about well and maintaining possession. John Cunliffe was let in on goal early on, profiting from a loose pass and looking for the target; James Spencer was fortunately there to claim.
Another great chance came for the home side just minutes later, as the ball fell to Tom Ince out on the left who whipped in a cross to Cunliffe free in front of goal. The striker was undeniably in a good position to finish, but blasted the final ball high over the bar from close range.
The encounter entered an end-to-end spell, and a Lee Neville tackle in his own half saw United regain possession and get the ball forward to Jerome Wright. As play opened up for the winger, his shot across goal rolled wide of the far post.
Norton claimed the Reds’ next chance of the game, hitting a shot that was almost certainly headed for the back of the net, but for an excellent reaction from Jack Cudworth in the Chorley goal who stretched to tip the ball over the bar.
It was Norton who did have the ball in the net on 36 minutes, scoring United’s first of the game. In amongst a crowded area, Norton drilled the ball into the bottom corner, giving the FC followers behind the goal something to celebrate. Celebrations may well have been combined with a sense of relief, with the team not having scored in over 300 minutes of football.
The Reds would have been hoping to hold onto the lead until the break; however the Magpies had other ideas, levelling with three minutes of normal time remaining of the first half. Adam Roscoe ran through in a central position, evading both centre halves to go one-on-one with Spencer. United’s keeper palmed away the initial shot, however captain Dale Whitman came in on the follow-up and this time Spencer was beaten.
The one minute of additional time saw cross-bar drama as Tom Walker’s cross met with the woodwork and looked to be going behind, before the ball bounced down onto Spencer and almost went in off the United keeper.
Some United defending was required as the second half began, however the Reds were threatening down the opposite end of the park not long after the restart as Adam Jones’ header to Norton inside the area saw the front man take a controlling touch before turning to fire his shot over the bar.
FC United made their first substitution as Greg Daniels came on for the majority of the half, replacing Adam Dawson.
A couple of close shaves ensued as Neville made a saving header off the line, before Keiran Walmsley sent in a free kick from the right for Whitman’s free header which met with the cross bar.
Jake Cottrell was introduced to a lively game, replacing Dave Birch. With the rain continuing to pour, the surface was now increasingly slippy and proved a factor in the match.
Jones set up a good move for FC, crossing into Daniels who couldn’t quite get hold of the ball before it was played back to Matthew Wolfenden. The forward turned and shot well but unfortunately the keeper matched the effort, diving down to his left to turn the ball around the post.
FC United’s last change saw Cedric Krou come on in place of Wolfenden. The Reds were sitting deep and having now been saved thrice by the bar, they were inviting Chorley on.
Despite this, it was United who took the lead once more through a storming Tierney free kick on 87 minutes. The young midfielder stepped up and fired home from around 30 yards, giving Cudworth no chance in front of the jubilant away fans.
The Reds pressed on, determined to keep the Magpies at bay in the closing minutes. A string of Chorley set pieces made the last stages of the game nervy for United, however they held on to bag all three points for the first time since the start of the month, a feat made even better by the fact that the Reds took Victory away from Chorley’s home ground with such a spectacular winning goal.
Report by Victoria Fullen.
Match Report
A late screamer from Matthew Tierney snatched all three points for FC United at Chorley as the Reds won 2-1 thanks also to Michael Norton’s first half goal.
With the hosts hitting the bar three times, there’s no doubt that United rode their luck but smash and grab victories are often the sign of a good team and it was about time the Reds started showing they are exactly that.
The Magpies began the brighter of the two sides, knocking the ball about well and maintaining possession. John Cunliffe was let in on goal early on, profiting from a loose pass and looking for the target; James Spencer was fortunately there to claim.
Another great chance came for the home side just minutes later, as the ball fell to Tom Ince out on the left who whipped in a cross to Cunliffe free in front of goal. The striker was undeniably in a good position to finish, but blasted the final ball high over the bar from close range.
The encounter entered an end-to-end spell, and a Lee Neville tackle in his own half saw United regain possession and get the ball forward to Jerome Wright. As play opened up for the winger, his shot across goal rolled wide of the far post.
Norton claimed the Reds’ next chance of the game, hitting a shot that was almost certainly headed for the back of the net, but for an excellent reaction from Jack Cudworth in the Chorley goal who stretched to tip the ball over the bar.
It was Norton who did have the ball in the net on 36 minutes, scoring United’s first of the game. In amongst a crowded area, Norton drilled the ball into the bottom corner, giving the FC followers behind the goal something to celebrate. Celebrations may well have been combined with a sense of relief, with the team not having scored in over 300 minutes of football.
The Reds would have been hoping to hold onto the lead until the break; however the Magpies had other ideas, levelling with three minutes of normal time remaining of the first half. Adam Roscoe ran through in a central position, evading both centre halves to go one-on-one with Spencer. United’s keeper palmed away the initial shot, however captain Dale Whitman came in on the follow-up and this time Spencer was beaten.
The one minute of additional time saw cross-bar drama as Tom Walker’s cross met with the woodwork and looked to be going behind, before the ball bounced down onto Spencer and almost went in off the United keeper.
Some United defending was required as the second half began, however the Reds were threatening down the opposite end of the park not long after the restart as Adam Jones’ header to Norton inside the area saw the front man take a controlling touch before turning to fire his shot over the bar.
FC United made their first substitution as Greg Daniels came on for the majority of the half, replacing Adam Dawson.
A couple of close shaves ensued as Neville made a saving header off the line, before Keiran Walmsley sent in a free kick from the right for Whitman’s free header which met with the cross bar.
Jake Cottrell was introduced to a lively game, replacing Dave Birch. With the rain continuing to pour, the surface was now increasingly slippy and proved a factor in the match.
Jones set up a good move for FC, crossing into Daniels who couldn’t quite get hold of the ball before it was played back to Matthew Wolfenden. The forward turned and shot well but unfortunately the keeper matched the effort, diving down to his left to turn the ball around the post.
FC United’s last change saw Cedric Krou come on in place of Wolfenden. The Reds were sitting deep and having now been saved thrice by the bar, they were inviting Chorley on.
Despite this, it was United who took the lead once more through a storming Tierney free kick on 87 minutes. The young midfielder stepped up and fired home from around 30 yards, giving Cudworth no chance in front of the jubilant away fans.
The Reds pressed on, determined to keep the Magpies at bay in the closing minutes. A string of Chorley set pieces made the last stages of the game nervy for United, however they held on to bag all three points for the first time since the start of the month, a feat made even better by the fact that the Reds took Victory away from Chorley’s home ground with such a spectacular winning goal.
Report by Victoria Fullen.
