FC United of Manchester
1 Dan Lavercombe
2 Alex Wollerton
3 Finlay Armstrong
4 Michael Donohue
5 Andy Halls
6 Curtis Jones
7 Callum Gribbin
8 Mike Potts
9 Regan Linney
10 Paul Ennis
11 Joe Rodwell-Grant
Subs.
12 Jack Degruchy
16 Guy Hall
14 Luke Griffiths (for 10, 81 mins)
15 Dontai Gabidon (for 11, 64 mins)
17 Dylan Moonan (for 8, 73 mins)
Ashton United
1 Matthew Gould
2 Aidan Roxburgh
3 Cole Lonsdale
4 Dana De Oliveira Amaral
5 Matty Regan
6 Sam Baird
7 Ben Hardcastle
8 Michael Brewster
9 Keilen Adams
10 Ben Hough
11 Tom Warren
Subs.
12 Jack Kenny (for 4, 72 mins)
14 James Baillie
15 George Milner (for 9, 72 mins)
16 Ethan Mitchell (for 10, 35 mins)
17 Robert Guilfoyle
FC United up to sixth with Boxing Day win over Ashton
FC United moved up to sixth place and just one point off the Pitching In Northern Premier League play-offs with a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-men Ashton United in front of 2,144 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Boxing Day.
Such was the Reds’ dominance, the game was effectively over as a contest 11 minutes before halftime. Regan Linney bagged his 38th strike of the season in the 14th minute with a typically well taken goal, Wigan Athletic loanee Joe Rodwell-Grant then doubled the lead on the half hour mark, and three minutes later he won a penalty that captain Charlie Ennis smashed home for 3-0.
Former FC United centre-back Sam Baird was sent off for the foul on Rodwell-Grant, giving the Robins little way of getting back into the match with 10 men.
The visitors were better in the second half and continued to fight for every ball, but Callum Gribbin deservedly put the icing on the Christmas cake by completing the rout with five minutes remaining to make it 4-0.
Following two postponed fixtures due to unplayable pitches, it was FC United’s first competitive match for three weeks and the Reds could have been forgiven for being a bit rusty. However, Neil Reynolds’ side looked as sharp as ever and were immediately on the front foot.
Linney and Ennis both forced goalkeeper Matthew Gould into a couple of early saves and it wasn’t long until Linney was making him pick the ball out of the back of the net. A superb curled throughball by Gribbin unleashed Linney through the middle and he took the ball around Gould and to the right before calmly slotting the opening goal into the empty net.
Down at the other end, Dan Lavercombe had to be alert to save a powerful back post header from a free-kick but that proved to be one of the only times he was called into the action all afternoon.
Moments later, it was 2-0. Linney turned provider for Rodwell-Grant as he played a defence splitting pass to the left and Rodwell-Grant curled the ball expertly into the far corner. Rodwell-Grant then won the penalty as he was tugged back and hauled to the ground by Baird. Ennis gave Gould no chance with a trademark pile driver high into the middle of the goal from the spot-kick.
Understandably, both teams seemed content to play out the second half at a steady pace – United had the three points in the bag and Ashton were keen to shut up shop and keep the score respectable.
Linney almost headed home a second with 10 minutes to go when he connected with fullback Alex Wollerton’s cross but Gould was equal to it. However, the Robins keeper could do nothing about Gribbin’s strike five minutes later.
Donohue picked up the ball around the halfway line and powered his way forward before playing through a neat ball to Gribbin, who finished with aplomb for 4-0.
Website man of the match: Michael Donohue – excelled in his less familiar central midfield role, pulling the strings for United throughout and set up the final goal with a commanding run and throughball.
Report by Matthew Haley
FC United up to sixth with Boxing Day win over Ashton
FC United moved up to sixth place and just one point off the Pitching In Northern Premier League play-offs with a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-men Ashton United in front of 2,144 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Boxing Day.
Such was the Reds’ dominance, the game was effectively over as a contest 11 minutes before halftime. Regan Linney bagged his 38th strike of the season in the 14th minute with a typically well taken goal, Wigan Athletic loanee Joe Rodwell-Grant then doubled the lead on the half hour mark, and three minutes later he won a penalty that captain Charlie Ennis smashed home for 3-0.
Former FC United centre-back Sam Baird was sent off for the foul on Rodwell-Grant, giving the Robins little way of getting back into the match with 10 men.
The visitors were better in the second half and continued to fight for every ball, but Callum Gribbin deservedly put the icing on the Christmas cake by completing the rout with five minutes remaining to make it 4-0.
Following two postponed fixtures due to unplayable pitches, it was FC United’s first competitive match for three weeks and the Reds could have been forgiven for being a bit rusty. However, Neil Reynolds’ side looked as sharp as ever and were immediately on the front foot.
Linney and Ennis both forced goalkeeper Matthew Gould into a couple of early saves and it wasn’t long until Linney was making him pick the ball out of the back of the net. A superb curled throughball by Gribbin unleashed Linney through the middle and he took the ball around Gould and to the right before calmly slotting the opening goal into the empty net.
Down at the other end, Dan Lavercombe had to be alert to save a powerful back post header from a free-kick but that proved to be one of the only times he was called into the action all afternoon.
Moments later, it was 2-0. Linney turned provider for Rodwell-Grant as he played a defence splitting pass to the left and Rodwell-Grant curled the ball expertly into the far corner. Rodwell-Grant then won the penalty as he was tugged back and hauled to the ground by Baird. Ennis gave Gould no chance with a trademark pile driver high into the middle of the goal from the spot-kick.
Understandably, both teams seemed content to play out the second half at a steady pace – United had the three points in the bag and Ashton were keen to shut up shop and keep the score respectable.
Linney almost headed home a second with 10 minutes to go when he connected with fullback Alex Wollerton’s cross but Gould was equal to it. However, the Robins keeper could do nothing about Gribbin’s strike five minutes later.
Donohue picked up the ball around the halfway line and powered his way forward before playing through a neat ball to Gribbin, who finished with aplomb for 4-0.
Website man of the match: Michael Donohue – excelled in his less familiar central midfield role, pulling the strings for United throughout and set up the final goal with a commanding run and throughball.
Report by Matthew Haley
