Buckley Brace Secures Three Points For Beesley's Reds
A brace from Jordan Buckley was enough for FC United to see out a 2-1 victory against Blyth Spartans despite a late scare from JJ Hooper on a cold, grey Saturday afternoon.
FC started the day in 14th place, looking to push into the top half of the table, meanwhile Blyth Spartans sat at the bottom of the league.
It was a cagey affair to begin with, neither side threatening each other too much for the opening 20 minutes bar a shot from Cyril Giraud which looked dangerous but flew wide of the post.
Just as the game hit the 20-minute mark, the deadlock was broken as Buckley was sent through on goal after midfielder Charlie Munro carried the ball forward well. The number 10 ignored the pressure behind him to smash a low shot in off the post, giving United the lead.
Blyth almost levelled the score immediately after, Giraud was sent through on goal courtesy of a beautiful long ball from Dean Briggs, but Conor O’Keefe was out quickly to deny him.
United then doubled their lead moments later, after a disastrous back pass from the Blyth defence sent Buckley bearing down on goal once again and he coolly slotted home for his second goal of the afternoon.
Unfortunately for Buckley, he would not have the chance to go hattrick hunting as an injury later in the half cut his game short as he was subbed off.
Within the first five minutes of the second half, Blyth went so close to finding the net, as Giraud played a ball across the face of goal to find Hooper completely unmarked, however he failed to turn the ball into an empty net as the ball hit him and went over.
Blyth then had another huge chance only moments later when Giraud, who looked so dangerous for the visitors, danced inside the box off the left-hand flank before squaring, again, to the open Hooper whose shot was blocked twice by a valiant FC United defence.
FC had two good opportunities to increase the lead, firstly through Sithole after he was found in acres of space by Le Fondre’s deep cross but he got his timing all wrong. A few minutes later Donohue burst free through the middle of the park and was bearing down on goal until he opted to square to Sithole, but the pass was a bit light and allowed the visitors to clear.
Blyth Spartans did eventually find the back of the net with little time remaining, after Giraud’s beauty of a cross was met by Sam Hodgson, whose header found fellow forward Hooper allowing him to, eventually, bundle the ball past Conor O’Keefe to cut FC United’s lead in half.
Despite a nervy few minutes of injury time, FC United saw the game out to win 2-1. Spartans created some good chances throughout the game and will rue their failure to take them.
The win sees FC United climb into the top half of the table into 9th place with their sights now set on a trip to Matlock Town, meanwhile Blyth Spartans remain stuck to the bottom of the table with their attention now turning to a home game against Ashton United.
Report by Fin Gaynor
Buckley Brace Secures Three Points For Beesley's Reds
A brace from Jordan Buckley was enough for FC United to see out a 2-1 victory against Blyth Spartans despite a late scare from JJ Hooper on a cold, grey Saturday afternoon.
FC started the day in 14th place, looking to push into the top half of the table, meanwhile Blyth Spartans sat at the bottom of the league.
It was a cagey affair to begin with, neither side threatening each other too much for the opening 20 minutes bar a shot from Cyril Giraud which looked dangerous but flew wide of the post.
Just as the game hit the 20-minute mark, the deadlock was broken as Buckley was sent through on goal after midfielder Charlie Munro carried the ball forward well. The number 10 ignored the pressure behind him to smash a low shot in off the post, giving United the lead.
Blyth almost levelled the score immediately after, Giraud was sent through on goal courtesy of a beautiful long ball from Dean Briggs, but Conor O’Keefe was out quickly to deny him.
United then doubled their lead moments later, after a disastrous back pass from the Blyth defence sent Buckley bearing down on goal once again and he coolly slotted home for his second goal of the afternoon.
Unfortunately for Buckley, he would not have the chance to go hattrick hunting as an injury later in the half cut his game short as he was subbed off.
Within the first five minutes of the second half, Blyth went so close to finding the net, as Giraud played a ball across the face of goal to find Hooper completely unmarked, however he failed to turn the ball into an empty net as the ball hit him and went over.
Blyth then had another huge chance only moments later when Giraud, who looked so dangerous for the visitors, danced inside the box off the left-hand flank before squaring, again, to the open Hooper whose shot was blocked twice by a valiant FC United defence.
FC had two good opportunities to increase the lead, firstly through Sithole after he was found in acres of space by Le Fondre’s deep cross but he got his timing all wrong. A few minutes later Donohue burst free through the middle of the park and was bearing down on goal until he opted to square to Sithole, but the pass was a bit light and allowed the visitors to clear.
Blyth Spartans did eventually find the back of the net with little time remaining, after Giraud’s beauty of a cross was met by Sam Hodgson, whose header found fellow forward Hooper allowing him to, eventually, bundle the ball past Conor O’Keefe to cut FC United’s lead in half.
Despite a nervy few minutes of injury time, FC United saw the game out to win 2-1. Spartans created some good chances throughout the game and will rue their failure to take them.
The win sees FC United climb into the top half of the table into 9th place with their sights now set on a trip to Matlock Town, meanwhile Blyth Spartans remain stuck to the bottom of the table with their attention now turning to a home game against Ashton United.
Report by Fin Gaynor
