Match Report

FC United moved up to eighth in the Vanarama National League North table as Matthew Wolfenden’s 86th minute goal was enough to claim all three points against Corby Town at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in front of 3,326 supporters.

The sides met for the first time, having both been promoted as Champions from their respective leagues. The encounter was by no means a thriller and FC United will surely be pleased to have ground out a result at Broadhurst Park after a less than gripping performance.

Prior to the 90 plus minutes of football, supporters rallied to collect food, clothing and essentials for refugees in a show of welcome and solidarity which sent out a clear message of support from fans and the local community.

The opening few minutes were promising as FC United looked to get forward at every opportunity and were defending strongly. It seemed as though the Reds were coming close to honing in on an end product; however, the decisive passes in the final third were lacking the control needed to truly threaten the visitors.

Twenty minutes in, Liam Brownhill’s speculative effort from the right hand side was on target and caught by Paul Walker in the Corby goal before a spell of pressure ensued from the visitors. The half ended a stalemate with FC’s final chance coming via Tom Greaves’ header which whistled past the post and into the Saint Mary’s Road End (SMRE).

Frustratingly, too many of FC United’s passes were failing to reach their intended destinations leaving the team struggling to settle into a rhythm after the half-time break. A third of the way into the second period Sean Cooke endeavoured to liven up the proceedings with a shot from range which hoped to take Walker by surprise; however his attempt did not trouble the Corby keeper.

Manager Karl Marginson made a double substitution midway into the half, replacing Greg Daniels and Cooke with Wolfenden and Adam Thurston. Immediately Corby were awarded a free-kick to the right of the United area and level with the six yard box. Ashley Sammons went for goal from the tight angle and forced a fingertip clearance from Dave Carnell who at full stretch diverted the ball across the face of his own goal.

As the stalemate wore on, Luke Ashworth seemed the likeliest candidate for breaking the deadlock as he responded to encouragements to shoot from range with a storming effort which rattled the upright and was perhaps the best chance of the half.

Four minutes before the end of normal time substitute Wolfenden persisted in the six yard box and managed to stab the ball beyond Walker. Sam Madeley worked hard down the left and won the corner which he then played in. Greaves was up to tip the ball onto Wolfenden who held off the keeper and under pressure turned to fire the ball home, much to the delight of the FC United faithful.

United then had to see out an inexplicably prolonged period of extra time to claim a narrow, yet valuable victory over Corby Town. The Reds now make the familiar trip to third-placed AFC Fylde on Tuesday night where they will hope to extend their unbeaten to six games.

Report by Victoria Fullen

Website man of the match: Dean Stott