Reds fight off Bamber Bridge in battling Broadhurst display
FC United of Manchester fought off a stubborn Bamber Bridge to claim three hard-earned points at Broadhurst Park in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.
First half goals for Jay Fitzmartin and Dylan Mottley-Henry put FC firmly in the ascendency, before Jack Baxter’s strike made it 2-1 just before the break. Adam Le Fondre found the hosts third on the hour mark, before an error by Conor O’Keefe gave the visitors a glimpse of hope with time running out.
However, FC managed to fend off any late comeback attempts and held on to make it back-to-back wins and extend their unbeaten run to six games.
FC United had their first chance of the game inside the first minute of play; Guy Hall switched a long diagonal ball into the path of Mottley-Henry, whose first time strike flashed past Charlie Casper’s right hand post.
Having looked threatening in transition to open the game, FC made use of their bright start by taking the lead in the 7th minute through a fantastic finish by Fitzmartin. A strong passage down the right flank saw Michael Donohue played through with space to drive into the box. At the byline, Donohue cut the ball back to eventually find Fitzmartin, who opened up his body before curling into the top right corner past the outstretched glove of Casper.
For twenty minutes following the opener came a lull period in front of goal at both ends, with Bamber Bridge struggling to make any inroads back into the game barring a handful of blocked efforts. FC continued to ask questions of Brig’s defensive shape on the break, and in the 27th minute they went on to double their advantage through Mottley-Henry’s first goal at Broadhurst Park.
Having opened the scoring in style, Fitzmartin took on the role of creator for FC’s second, driving towards goal before finding the supporting run of Hall. The left back squared the ball across goal, picking out the run of Mottley-Henry who steered the ball home from close range to make it 2-0.
A tough opening period for Bamber Bridge was made even harder in the minutes following the hosts’ second goal; Brig manager, Jamie Milligan was forced into two changes after injuries to Will Russ and Michael Potts. First half knocks to two former Reds meant Milligan had to use two of his four available substitutes with ten minutes to play in the first half.
Despite the undesirable situation they were in, Bamber Bridge managed to half the deficit in the 43rd minute through Baxter’s speculative effort from distance. Finding himself in space from 25 yards, Baxter set his sights on goal before hitting a powerful strike, which looped over the reach of Conor O’Keefe in the centre of the goal to keep the visitors firmly in the game.
HT: FC United of Manchester 2-1 Bamber Bridge
Following a tentative 15 minute period after the interval, FC managed to restore their two-goal advantage on the stroke of an hour, with top scorer Le Fondre adding to his season tally after another incisive attacking move from Mark Beesley’s side.
A lovely weighted ball by Charlie Munro sent Mottley-Henry on his way down the right flank, whose square ball across the box found the untracked run of Le Fondre. The experienced striker finished calmly from just inside the six yard box to make it 3-1.
Bamber Bridge were almost gifted a goal to keep themselves in touching distance of FC’s lead, eight minutes after the hosts added their third. O’Keefe’s attempt at claiming a lofted ball into the box almost proved costly for the ‘keeper, who dropped the ball under pressure into the path of Patrick Jarrett. The visitors could not convert, however, with Jarrett’s subsequent effort being smothered by a blockade of Red defenders.
Minutes after denying Nathan Pond’s effort from close range, an error from O’Keefe would allow Bamber Bridge another goal to set up a tense final few minutes. A long-range effort from Brockbank looked easy enough for the Reds ‘keeper to deal with, however O’Keefe could not get behind the strike, allowing the ball to spill and trickle into the net for Brig’s second of the afternoon.
A resolute last ten minutes from FC meant they held on to deny Bamber Bridge a chance at an equaliser, and were able to enact revenge following the heavy defeat away at the SFC Stadium earlier this season.
Report by Finn Honeywood.
Reds fight off Bamber Bridge in battling Broadhurst display
FC United of Manchester fought off a stubborn Bamber Bridge to claim three hard-earned points at Broadhurst Park in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.
First half goals for Jay Fitzmartin and Dylan Mottley-Henry put FC firmly in the ascendency, before Jack Baxter’s strike made it 2-1 just before the break. Adam Le Fondre found the hosts third on the hour mark, before an error by Conor O’Keefe gave the visitors a glimpse of hope with time running out.
However, FC managed to fend off any late comeback attempts and held on to make it back-to-back wins and extend their unbeaten run to six games.
FC United had their first chance of the game inside the first minute of play; Guy Hall switched a long diagonal ball into the path of Mottley-Henry, whose first time strike flashed past Charlie Casper’s right hand post.
Having looked threatening in transition to open the game, FC made use of their bright start by taking the lead in the 7th minute through a fantastic finish by Fitzmartin. A strong passage down the right flank saw Michael Donohue played through with space to drive into the box. At the byline, Donohue cut the ball back to eventually find Fitzmartin, who opened up his body before curling into the top right corner past the outstretched glove of Casper.
For twenty minutes following the opener came a lull period in front of goal at both ends, with Bamber Bridge struggling to make any inroads back into the game barring a handful of blocked efforts. FC continued to ask questions of Brig’s defensive shape on the break, and in the 27th minute they went on to double their advantage through Mottley-Henry’s first goal at Broadhurst Park.
Having opened the scoring in style, Fitzmartin took on the role of creator for FC’s second, driving towards goal before finding the supporting run of Hall. The left back squared the ball across goal, picking out the run of Mottley-Henry who steered the ball home from close range to make it 2-0.
A tough opening period for Bamber Bridge was made even harder in the minutes following the hosts’ second goal; Brig manager, Jamie Milligan was forced into two changes after injuries to Will Russ and Michael Potts. First half knocks to two former Reds meant Milligan had to use two of his four available substitutes with ten minutes to play in the first half.
Despite the undesirable situation they were in, Bamber Bridge managed to half the deficit in the 43rd minute through Baxter’s speculative effort from distance. Finding himself in space from 25 yards, Baxter set his sights on goal before hitting a powerful strike, which looped over the reach of Conor O’Keefe in the centre of the goal to keep the visitors firmly in the game.
HT: FC United of Manchester 2-1 Bamber Bridge
Following a tentative 15 minute period after the interval, FC managed to restore their two-goal advantage on the stroke of an hour, with top scorer Le Fondre adding to his season tally after another incisive attacking move from Mark Beesley’s side.
A lovely weighted ball by Charlie Munro sent Mottley-Henry on his way down the right flank, whose square ball across the box found the untracked run of Le Fondre. The experienced striker finished calmly from just inside the six yard box to make it 3-1.
Bamber Bridge were almost gifted a goal to keep themselves in touching distance of FC’s lead, eight minutes after the hosts added their third. O’Keefe’s attempt at claiming a lofted ball into the box almost proved costly for the ‘keeper, who dropped the ball under pressure into the path of Patrick Jarrett. The visitors could not convert, however, with Jarrett’s subsequent effort being smothered by a blockade of Red defenders.
Minutes after denying Nathan Pond’s effort from close range, an error from O’Keefe would allow Bamber Bridge another goal to set up a tense final few minutes. A long-range effort from Brockbank looked easy enough for the Reds ‘keeper to deal with, however O’Keefe could not get behind the strike, allowing the ball to spill and trickle into the net for Brig’s second of the afternoon.
A resolute last ten minutes from FC meant they held on to deny Bamber Bridge a chance at an equaliser, and were able to enact revenge following the heavy defeat away at the SFC Stadium earlier this season.
Report by Finn Honeywood.
