Match Report
A few changes for FC United, David Chadwick picked up a knock in the friendly at Flixton in midweek and was therefore rested making way, and passing on the captain’s armband, for Billy McCartney. The others stepping down for this one being Joz Mitten, Ryan Gilligan and Kevin Elvin. Rawlinson replaced Elvin at rightback with Scott Holt coming in at right wing. Simon Carden took over the 8 shirt from Gilligan and Darren Lyons slotted in up front with Mitten relegated to the bench.
Clearly the manager was hoping for a better from his shuffled line-up having remarked in his programme notes that he thought last week’s performance, versus Castleton, had been as bad as any this season despite the 3-0 score line. The visitors gave a debut to their recent signing from Stone Dominoes, Mark McKendrick.
The visitors decided to ‘turn the sides around’ after the coin toss. This left the league leaders attacking the noisy Manchester Road End of the ground in the first half. It also meant that Gavin Deaville, in the visitor’s goal, would have to face the setting sun in the second period.
Norton seemed to start with quite a conservative formation, mostly leaving just one up front. They consequently packed the midfield and seemed to be looking to support from midfield on any breakaway opportunities that might present themselves. It almost seemed as though they were more intent on stifling the league leaders than in pressing forwards themselves.
It was nearly 15 minutes in before Deaville was finally tested. Darren Lyons provided a cross in from the right wing where Scott Holt did well to make a bit of space but his shot was partially blocked and was easily collected by the Norton custodian. On 18 minutes Rob Nugent was pressed back in the FC United left back area. The United 6 tried to pass back for Barrie George to complete the clearance but his pass was a bit weak and George was beaten to the ball by Machin. The Norton number 11 could only divert the ball out of play but it was an illustration that Norton were not entirely prepared to rely solely on a defensive game plan.
The first of 3 penalty awards provided the opportunity for FC United to take the lead on 24 minutes. Steve Torpey chased a through ball in what looked, initially, to be a lost cause. The speedy number 10 just beat Deaville to the ball. The keeper made a desperate lunge but only made contact with Torpey. Torpey tried manfully to stay on his feet and to press home the attack but the referee, Mr. Fishwick, had seen the foul and pointed to the spot. Some half-hearted protests from the visitors but the decision looked correct as was the choice to caution Deaville.
Torpey himself placed the ball on the spot before emphatically powering home. Unfortunately, for the home side, Fishwick ruled that the penalty should be retaken due to a red-shirted player encroaching in the area. Torpey replaced the ball but this time he saw his shot acrobatically pushed over the bar by villain turned hero Deaville. Torpey, in turn, managed to talk his way into Fishwick’s book as they exchanged views as play resumed. A few minutes later and Rob Nugent also saw yellow for dissent.
On the half hour mark Torpey was again brought down in the box, this time McKendrick was the guilty party. Torpey needed treatment before the kick could be taken and was back on the touchline as Rory Patterson stepped up to take it. The ‘man with no name’ made no mistake and gave Deaville no chance to re-enact his heroics of earlier. 1-0.
On 33 minutes a bid for goal of the season was launched. Scott Holt crossed from the right flank and Simon Carden executed a perfectly timed scissor kick from 15 yards out. The right-footed volley was powerful and on target but was well caught by Deaville. Had the effort been a foot or two either side of the keeper then Deaville might have struggled to keep it out.
Just before halftime Aidan Cullen gave referee Fishwick the opportunity to even up the yellow card count at two per side. Again dissent seemed the likely offence. Cullen had, minutes earlier, come close to evening the score line too. A one on one with Barrie George went the way of the goalkeeper saving low to his right. A couple of follow up attempts were well marshalled by the FC United defence as the ball went loose.
Norton United came out with a more positive approach in the second period. They still didn’t create much by way of clear cut chances, early on, but then again neither did FC United. 55 minutes gone and a deft touch from Lyons fed Torpey. The Wiganer was near halfway but skilfully nutmegged his marker and then galloped down the left flank. A quick glance upwards showed Patterson and Holt making ground in support with only a single defender in a position to cover. Torpey duly delivered to Patterson but his attempt to pass further right to Holt was cut out by Deaville.
Norton again threatened soon after, a Machin break down the Norton right saw a low cross sent in but none of the black and white shirted supporting act could make up enough ground quickly enough to get a touch. The ball was recovered by Norton on the left and again fed inside. The attacker controlled well before shooting from 15 yards out. George reacted well and blocked the initial effort but before a follow up could be launched the whistle was blown as 2 attackers were in offside positions.
Mitten was unleashed from the bench, replacing Lyons, with just less than 30 minutes to go and within 5 minutes very nearly provided FC United with a 2 goal cushion. Some nice interplay on the right between Rawlinson and Holt allowed the latter to send in a teasing cross that Mitten attacked. Joz will have been disappointed not to have troubled the goalkeeper as his header from 6 or 7 yards out was just over the bar. Credit to the Norton defender who did his utmost to lever the big United number 15 away from the ball as it dropped into the danger area.
Another FC United breakaway was called back by the referee after a late tackle by Barlow on Rawlinson. Mr. Fishwick called play back when it looked as though an advantage might have been played as FC United had good possession and numerical superiority. Not to be as the game’s 5th yellow card was administered to Barlow and Rawlinson received lengthy treatment before play resumed.
The match turned as the third penalty kick was awarded, this time to the visitors, on 83 minutes. Whereas the first 2 awards were quite clear cut this one remains a mystery to me. I can only surmise that the fussy Mr. Fishwick saw an offence in the FC United area as a Norton freekick was launched forward from near halfway. The upshot was that Joz Mitten was cautioned before McKendrick calmly slotted home the penalty kick. It was clear from the style and enthusiasm with which this goal was celebrated that it meant a lot to Norton United. Whether the scorer was entirely wise to wheel away towards the home supporters as he celebrated is questionable. 1-1.
As the Manchester Road End support urged the home team forward to regain the lead so Norton seized the opportunity to administer the coup de grace. A rapid break, another goal. Proper route one, a ball driven out of defence, a precise flick on and Mick Machin found himself goal side with only George to beat. He made no mistake, tucking the ball low and into the left side of goal. 1-2.
Karl Marginson tried a last desperate throw of the dice with Cullen and Elvin introduced for Rawlinson and Holt but it was to no avail. In fact Norton might well have scored a third goal, in stoppage time, as FC United poured forward in vain search of an equaliser. The move broke down and Norton looked to be in a great position with 3 or 4 on 1 but the move broke down and allowed cover to arrive.
A disappointing day for the leaders, Margy will need to pick his boys up after another sub par performance where few positives were evident. Next weekend is set aside for FA Vase ties so FC United will be without a competitive fixture until Oldham Town visit on the 5th of October. Norton, on the other hand, will be overjoyed to have taken such a sought after scalp. The record books shall forever show that FC United’s first ever defeat in a competitive match was at their hands.
The match sponsors, FC United T-Shirts, awarded their man of the match plaudits to Mark Rawlinson. The veteran was solid throughout and linked well with Scott Holt on the right flank. Otherwise Patterson and Torpey had a few inspiring moments but no-one really stood out for me.
Match Report
A few changes for FC United, David Chadwick picked up a knock in the friendly at Flixton in midweek and was therefore rested making way, and passing on the captain’s armband, for Billy McCartney. The others stepping down for this one being Joz Mitten, Ryan Gilligan and Kevin Elvin. Rawlinson replaced Elvin at rightback with Scott Holt coming in at right wing. Simon Carden took over the 8 shirt from Gilligan and Darren Lyons slotted in up front with Mitten relegated to the bench.
Clearly the manager was hoping for a better from his shuffled line-up having remarked in his programme notes that he thought last week’s performance, versus Castleton, had been as bad as any this season despite the 3-0 score line. The visitors gave a debut to their recent signing from Stone Dominoes, Mark McKendrick.
The visitors decided to ‘turn the sides around’ after the coin toss. This left the league leaders attacking the noisy Manchester Road End of the ground in the first half. It also meant that Gavin Deaville, in the visitor’s goal, would have to face the setting sun in the second period.
Norton seemed to start with quite a conservative formation, mostly leaving just one up front. They consequently packed the midfield and seemed to be looking to support from midfield on any breakaway opportunities that might present themselves. It almost seemed as though they were more intent on stifling the league leaders than in pressing forwards themselves.
It was nearly 15 minutes in before Deaville was finally tested. Darren Lyons provided a cross in from the right wing where Scott Holt did well to make a bit of space but his shot was partially blocked and was easily collected by the Norton custodian. On 18 minutes Rob Nugent was pressed back in the FC United left back area. The United 6 tried to pass back for Barrie George to complete the clearance but his pass was a bit weak and George was beaten to the ball by Machin. The Norton number 11 could only divert the ball out of play but it was an illustration that Norton were not entirely prepared to rely solely on a defensive game plan.
The first of 3 penalty awards provided the opportunity for FC United to take the lead on 24 minutes. Steve Torpey chased a through ball in what looked, initially, to be a lost cause. The speedy number 10 just beat Deaville to the ball. The keeper made a desperate lunge but only made contact with Torpey. Torpey tried manfully to stay on his feet and to press home the attack but the referee, Mr. Fishwick, had seen the foul and pointed to the spot. Some half-hearted protests from the visitors but the decision looked correct as was the choice to caution Deaville.
Torpey himself placed the ball on the spot before emphatically powering home. Unfortunately, for the home side, Fishwick ruled that the penalty should be retaken due to a red-shirted player encroaching in the area. Torpey replaced the ball but this time he saw his shot acrobatically pushed over the bar by villain turned hero Deaville. Torpey, in turn, managed to talk his way into Fishwick’s book as they exchanged views as play resumed. A few minutes later and Rob Nugent also saw yellow for dissent.
On the half hour mark Torpey was again brought down in the box, this time McKendrick was the guilty party. Torpey needed treatment before the kick could be taken and was back on the touchline as Rory Patterson stepped up to take it. The ‘man with no name’ made no mistake and gave Deaville no chance to re-enact his heroics of earlier. 1-0.
On 33 minutes a bid for goal of the season was launched. Scott Holt crossed from the right flank and Simon Carden executed a perfectly timed scissor kick from 15 yards out. The right-footed volley was powerful and on target but was well caught by Deaville. Had the effort been a foot or two either side of the keeper then Deaville might have struggled to keep it out.
Just before halftime Aidan Cullen gave referee Fishwick the opportunity to even up the yellow card count at two per side. Again dissent seemed the likely offence. Cullen had, minutes earlier, come close to evening the score line too. A one on one with Barrie George went the way of the goalkeeper saving low to his right. A couple of follow up attempts were well marshalled by the FC United defence as the ball went loose.
Norton United came out with a more positive approach in the second period. They still didn’t create much by way of clear cut chances, early on, but then again neither did FC United. 55 minutes gone and a deft touch from Lyons fed Torpey. The Wiganer was near halfway but skilfully nutmegged his marker and then galloped down the left flank. A quick glance upwards showed Patterson and Holt making ground in support with only a single defender in a position to cover. Torpey duly delivered to Patterson but his attempt to pass further right to Holt was cut out by Deaville.
Norton again threatened soon after, a Machin break down the Norton right saw a low cross sent in but none of the black and white shirted supporting act could make up enough ground quickly enough to get a touch. The ball was recovered by Norton on the left and again fed inside. The attacker controlled well before shooting from 15 yards out. George reacted well and blocked the initial effort but before a follow up could be launched the whistle was blown as 2 attackers were in offside positions.
Mitten was unleashed from the bench, replacing Lyons, with just less than 30 minutes to go and within 5 minutes very nearly provided FC United with a 2 goal cushion. Some nice interplay on the right between Rawlinson and Holt allowed the latter to send in a teasing cross that Mitten attacked. Joz will have been disappointed not to have troubled the goalkeeper as his header from 6 or 7 yards out was just over the bar. Credit to the Norton defender who did his utmost to lever the big United number 15 away from the ball as it dropped into the danger area.
Another FC United breakaway was called back by the referee after a late tackle by Barlow on Rawlinson. Mr. Fishwick called play back when it looked as though an advantage might have been played as FC United had good possession and numerical superiority. Not to be as the game’s 5th yellow card was administered to Barlow and Rawlinson received lengthy treatment before play resumed.
The match turned as the third penalty kick was awarded, this time to the visitors, on 83 minutes. Whereas the first 2 awards were quite clear cut this one remains a mystery to me. I can only surmise that the fussy Mr. Fishwick saw an offence in the FC United area as a Norton freekick was launched forward from near halfway. The upshot was that Joz Mitten was cautioned before McKendrick calmly slotted home the penalty kick. It was clear from the style and enthusiasm with which this goal was celebrated that it meant a lot to Norton United. Whether the scorer was entirely wise to wheel away towards the home supporters as he celebrated is questionable. 1-1.
As the Manchester Road End support urged the home team forward to regain the lead so Norton seized the opportunity to administer the coup de grace. A rapid break, another goal. Proper route one, a ball driven out of defence, a precise flick on and Mick Machin found himself goal side with only George to beat. He made no mistake, tucking the ball low and into the left side of goal. 1-2.
Karl Marginson tried a last desperate throw of the dice with Cullen and Elvin introduced for Rawlinson and Holt but it was to no avail. In fact Norton might well have scored a third goal, in stoppage time, as FC United poured forward in vain search of an equaliser. The move broke down and Norton looked to be in a great position with 3 or 4 on 1 but the move broke down and allowed cover to arrive.
A disappointing day for the leaders, Margy will need to pick his boys up after another sub par performance where few positives were evident. Next weekend is set aside for FA Vase ties so FC United will be without a competitive fixture until Oldham Town visit on the 5th of October. Norton, on the other hand, will be overjoyed to have taken such a sought after scalp. The record books shall forever show that FC United’s first ever defeat in a competitive match was at their hands.
The match sponsors, FC United T-Shirts, awarded their man of the match plaudits to Mark Rawlinson. The veteran was solid throughout and linked well with Scott Holt on the right flank. Otherwise Patterson and Torpey had a few inspiring moments but no-one really stood out for me.