Match Report
FC United ran out comfortable and much needed 3-0 winners against Nuneaton Town at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in front of 2,313 supporters.
Goals from Kieran Glynn, captain Jerome Wright and goal machine Luke Ashworth gave the Reds a thoroughly deserved victory over the struggling visitors, which moves FC United up to 12th in the Vanarama National League North.
It didn’t even matter that Jerome Wright had a penalty saved midway through the first half as the Reds put in one of the best performances of the season.
Glynn broke the deadlock on 18 minutes. The young forward audaciously controlled a Wright cross from the left with a Cruyff turn on the edge of the six yard box before firing the ball high into the net.
Two minutes later, United should have been 2-0 up. Town goalkeeper Christian Dibble was fortunate to stay on the pitch after bringing down Jason Gilchrist inside the area. Wright drilled the resulting spot kick down the middle but Dibble redeemed himself by saving with his feet.
Despite the disappointment, the Reds were in full flow and soon Wright made amends. Another sweeping move on 24 minutes saw Glynn flick the ball onto George Thomson. The midfielder played a lovely diagonal pass through to the onrushing Wright, who fired a shot hard and low into the far corner for 2-0.
It was wave after wave of United attacks and 10 minutes before half-time they should have been 3-0 up. Fullback Dale Tonge made a good run down the right and cut the ball back for Thomson. The usually potent Thomson scuffed his shot narrowly wide of the far post.
The Reds were so dominate and purposeful that it was hard to believe they were only two goals to the good at the break. The hosts started the second half as they had left off the first and the third goal was soon in coming.
United had Nuneaton pinned back and despite some dogged defending, the visitors couldn’t prevent another goal that seemed almost inevitable. Ten minutes into the second half, a cross from Thomson was deflected away and it fell kindly for Ashworth. The centre-back swivelled to curl a peach of shot into the bottom corner for his eighth goal of the season. The strike makes him the Reds’ second highest scorer this season, joint with Tom Greaves, and four behind Thomson, who has found the net 12 times so far.
And that was it, job done with more than half an hour to spare. Glynn nearly made it 4-0 with around 20 minutes to go but his effort was scrambled off the line. It didn’t matter - United played out the game in full control, giving Nuneaton, who only registered two shots on target, no chance of finding a way back into the match.
After disappointing home defeats to Gloucester City and Bradford Park Avenue, FC United have responded with three straight wins against Stalybridge Celtic, Abbey Hey, and now Nuneaton. Although the victories have come in games against lower placed opposition, the Reds have attacked well as a team, played some great football, and scored 10 goals. As such, they will be confident when they welcome Nuneaton back to Broadhurst Park again next Saturday in the FA Trophy.
Website man of the match: Kieran Glynn. The youngster was lively throughout, scored a fantastic goal and nearly had another. Whisper it quietly but FC United look like they have unearthed another gem.
Report by Matthew Haley
Match Report
FC United ran out comfortable and much needed 3-0 winners against Nuneaton Town at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in front of 2,313 supporters.
Goals from Kieran Glynn, captain Jerome Wright and goal machine Luke Ashworth gave the Reds a thoroughly deserved victory over the struggling visitors, which moves FC United up to 12th in the Vanarama National League North.
It didn’t even matter that Jerome Wright had a penalty saved midway through the first half as the Reds put in one of the best performances of the season.
Glynn broke the deadlock on 18 minutes. The young forward audaciously controlled a Wright cross from the left with a Cruyff turn on the edge of the six yard box before firing the ball high into the net.
Two minutes later, United should have been 2-0 up. Town goalkeeper Christian Dibble was fortunate to stay on the pitch after bringing down Jason Gilchrist inside the area. Wright drilled the resulting spot kick down the middle but Dibble redeemed himself by saving with his feet.
Despite the disappointment, the Reds were in full flow and soon Wright made amends. Another sweeping move on 24 minutes saw Glynn flick the ball onto George Thomson. The midfielder played a lovely diagonal pass through to the onrushing Wright, who fired a shot hard and low into the far corner for 2-0.
It was wave after wave of United attacks and 10 minutes before half-time they should have been 3-0 up. Fullback Dale Tonge made a good run down the right and cut the ball back for Thomson. The usually potent Thomson scuffed his shot narrowly wide of the far post.
The Reds were so dominate and purposeful that it was hard to believe they were only two goals to the good at the break. The hosts started the second half as they had left off the first and the third goal was soon in coming.
United had Nuneaton pinned back and despite some dogged defending, the visitors couldn’t prevent another goal that seemed almost inevitable. Ten minutes into the second half, a cross from Thomson was deflected away and it fell kindly for Ashworth. The centre-back swivelled to curl a peach of shot into the bottom corner for his eighth goal of the season. The strike makes him the Reds’ second highest scorer this season, joint with Tom Greaves, and four behind Thomson, who has found the net 12 times so far.
And that was it, job done with more than half an hour to spare. Glynn nearly made it 4-0 with around 20 minutes to go but his effort was scrambled off the line. It didn’t matter - United played out the game in full control, giving Nuneaton, who only registered two shots on target, no chance of finding a way back into the match.
After disappointing home defeats to Gloucester City and Bradford Park Avenue, FC United have responded with three straight wins against Stalybridge Celtic, Abbey Hey, and now Nuneaton. Although the victories have come in games against lower placed opposition, the Reds have attacked well as a team, played some great football, and scored 10 goals. As such, they will be confident when they welcome Nuneaton back to Broadhurst Park again next Saturday in the FA Trophy.
Website man of the match: Kieran Glynn. The youngster was lively throughout, scored a fantastic goal and nearly had another. Whisper it quietly but FC United look like they have unearthed another gem.
Report by Matthew Haley
