Match Report

FC United’s run of six wins on the trot came to an abrupt end at the hands of Clitheroe, as the Reds were beaten 2-1 at Shawbridge.

Although United started the game well enough they never really got going in and the football never reached the fluent flowing levels of previous weeks. The first half was a bit messy with neither team getting a hold of the match and numerous half chances falling to either side.

United striker Aaron Burns had the best chance to open the scoring when he found himself one-on-one with Clitheroe ’keeper James Mann, but the 19-year-old scuffed his shot and it was an easy save for Mann.

The opening goal fell to the home team just before half time when they were awarded a contentious penalty after Sam Ashton had attempted to tackle Paul Fildes in the box.

Clitheroe were awarded the penalty and both Ashton and Rob Nugent were booked. Joel Byrom stepped up to take the spot kick, which was saved by Ashton, but the striker followed up on the rebound to put the home team one up and score his eighth goal of the season.

Untied came out into the second half were more attacking football and were pressing the home defence early on. So when a deep free kick was met in United’s box by Fildes head, it was a real shock to see Clitheroe go 2-0 up.

United fired back quickly with Chris Baguely unleashing one of his trademark free kicks. The former Oldham Athletic youngster took the free kick from the right and had no trouble finding the net to bring the Reds back in the game.

With over half an hour left you sensed if United pressed they would fancy their chances of stealing all three points. However, in reality there were very few clear cut chances and a draw would have been a lucky result.

Clitheroe had one or two good chances late on and if there forwards would have had their shooting boots on it could have easily ended 3-1. The Reds will be hoping the game was just a one-off bad performance and will look to rectify the result when they meet Rossendale at Gigg Lane on Wednesday.

However, if United have real title aspirations they need to stop carelessly dropping points as they now find themselves six points behind league leaders Curzon Ashton, after the Tamesiders got a good 2-1 victory away to Lancaster City with goals from ex-FC United players Rhodri Giggs and Jonathon Mitten.