Match Report

FC United got their first three points of the season at home against Marine with a 3-0 victory at Gigg Lane on Wednesday night, with goals from Rob Nugent, Ben Deegan and Jamie Mack.

FC United got the perfect start by taking the lead in sixth minute after good pressure forced a corner kick. Marine failed to clear the corner, the ball fell to Nugent’s feet and the United captain calmly slotted home the first goal.

The Reds could have doubled their lead minutes later after a smart bit of skill from Phil Marsh. The former Manchester United player managed to turn the Marine defender and force a good save from the Marine keeper Sean Lake.

However, Marine could have equalised if it was not for goal line clearance from Simon Garner after Neil Prince played a through ball to Neil Black who chipped Sam Ashton only for Garner to slide in to clear.

FC continued to press Marine but failed to convert possession into chances. However, they could have doubled their lead in 44th minute after Jerome Wright saw his own shot rebounded to him but the winger couldn’t follow it up so FC went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

Marine could have equalised straight after the break if it was not for a sharp piece of goalkeeping from Ashton after a powerful shot from Peter Cumiskey.

The Reds looked to have scuppered any chance of a Marine comeback after doubling their lead through a Ben Deegan goal. Roca played the ball into the box for Wright to lay off Deegan who smashed the ball powerfully into the bottom corner.

Despite the two goal difference, Marine weren’t going to go down without a battle. The Merseysiders could have got back into the game in the 59th minute after Black layed off Steve Hussey who could only smash the ball wide.

Yet another chance went begging for Marine after Adam Tong passed the ball straight to Cumiskey on the 18 yard box but Ashton pulled off a fantastic save.

In the 70th minute Roca showed off his flair by beating two players only to shoot over the bar keeping the score at 2-0.

FC continued to pressure after a through ball from substitute Danny Williams left Simon Carden one-on-one with the keeper only for Carden to fire straight at the keeper.

It was left till the 90th minute for Janie Mack to finish the game off after a powerful shot from Si Carden rebounded off the keeper for Mack to slot home calmly.

Report by Joel Duncan.