Match Report
FC United enjoyed our first victory of the season at the fifth attempt with a 3-1 victory over Ramsbottom at Bower Fold on Saturday afternoon.
A first half Tom Greaves double and second half header from Chris Lynch overturned an early opening goal for the visitors by Jordan Hulme.
The Reds made a few changes to the side, including the addition of new signing Luke Ashworth and Connor Bower, both making their competitive debuts in front of a home crowd of 1,917.
Although FC United and Ramsbottom are no strangers to each other having played together in the North West Counties, this was the first time the Rams faced United in this league, having gained promotion last season.
Philip Dean and Hulme both testing Dave Carnell inside the first couple of minutes set the scene for the opening stages of the encounter, which were largely controlled by the visitors who seemed to be first to every ball and capable of getting in behind the United defence.
Ramsbottom breaking the deadlock on 10 minutes was therefore with the run of play. A corner was swung in from the left and Hulme rose to direct his header over Carnell, seeing the ball bounce off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for 1-0.
Osebi Abadaki looked dangerous down the right for the Rams and, given space to run, threatened Carnell with a shot across the face of goal.
Matthew Wolfenden then had a shot on goal for FC, bringing the ball down well just outside the area and lining up a low drill which was fired just wide of the target.
Abakadi was again in a position to shoot and this time Carnell had to palm the ball away and in doing so set up Wright for an end-to-end run which looked promising but unfortunately there was no end product for United.
The Reds had to wait only a minute longer however as an error at the back for Ramsbottom gifted Greaves an equaliser. After good persistence down the right by Bower, Greaves chased back pass into the area. Former FC keeper Grant Shenton came off his line as a defender came over to cover but both failed to clear the ball. Greaves pounce upon the mix up and coolly rounded the visiting custodian to slot the ball into the open net.
Right on the stroke of half-time, the Reds took an important lead through a corner. Brownhill played the ball in and an overhead kick back to the near post was met with the head of Greaves who made sure FC United went in leading at the break.
The Reds showed early intent in the second half with Greaves having a header on target following a good slaloming run from Bower and Lynch’s impressive venture forward resulting in a lay-off to Wolfenden who rattled the crossbar from range.
Just over an hour in, United made a double change. Having contributed well to the game, Callum Byrne and Bower made way for Joe Fox and Mike Norton.
The Reds extended their lead on 63 minutes as Lynch scored his first for the club. Brownhill played a corner into a crowded box and the centre half’s glancing header evaded Shenton and put United 3-1 up.
United’s third substitution was Greg Daniels who replaced goalscorer Greaves with just over 20 minutes to go. FC then thought they had added a fourth when Norton tapped in a Wolfenden pass, only to be ruled offside.
FC United saw out the game with confidence, despite the worsening weather conditions. The Rams were unable to offer anything to get back into the game and instead finished with nine men as Malachi Slaven was dismissed after receiving a second yellow and former FC defender Danny Warrender was carried off with an injury.
Elation and relief were the overriding emotions as the whistle blew, indicating the Reds’ first three points of the campaign and also an extension to the unbeaten run.
Report by Victoria Fullen
Website man of the match: Chris Lynch – An important addition to United’s defence and also proving his attacking ability with some good ventures forward and a first goal for the club.
Match Report
FC United enjoyed our first victory of the season at the fifth attempt with a 3-1 victory over Ramsbottom at Bower Fold on Saturday afternoon.
A first half Tom Greaves double and second half header from Chris Lynch overturned an early opening goal for the visitors by Jordan Hulme.
The Reds made a few changes to the side, including the addition of new signing Luke Ashworth and Connor Bower, both making their competitive debuts in front of a home crowd of 1,917.
Although FC United and Ramsbottom are no strangers to each other having played together in the North West Counties, this was the first time the Rams faced United in this league, having gained promotion last season.
Philip Dean and Hulme both testing Dave Carnell inside the first couple of minutes set the scene for the opening stages of the encounter, which were largely controlled by the visitors who seemed to be first to every ball and capable of getting in behind the United defence.
Ramsbottom breaking the deadlock on 10 minutes was therefore with the run of play. A corner was swung in from the left and Hulme rose to direct his header over Carnell, seeing the ball bounce off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for 1-0.
Osebi Abadaki looked dangerous down the right for the Rams and, given space to run, threatened Carnell with a shot across the face of goal.
Matthew Wolfenden then had a shot on goal for FC, bringing the ball down well just outside the area and lining up a low drill which was fired just wide of the target.
Abakadi was again in a position to shoot and this time Carnell had to palm the ball away and in doing so set up Wright for an end-to-end run which looked promising but unfortunately there was no end product for United.
The Reds had to wait only a minute longer however as an error at the back for Ramsbottom gifted Greaves an equaliser. After good persistence down the right by Bower, Greaves chased back pass into the area. Former FC keeper Grant Shenton came off his line as a defender came over to cover but both failed to clear the ball. Greaves pounce upon the mix up and coolly rounded the visiting custodian to slot the ball into the open net.
Right on the stroke of half-time, the Reds took an important lead through a corner. Brownhill played the ball in and an overhead kick back to the near post was met with the head of Greaves who made sure FC United went in leading at the break.
The Reds showed early intent in the second half with Greaves having a header on target following a good slaloming run from Bower and Lynch’s impressive venture forward resulting in a lay-off to Wolfenden who rattled the crossbar from range.
Just over an hour in, United made a double change. Having contributed well to the game, Callum Byrne and Bower made way for Joe Fox and Mike Norton.
The Reds extended their lead on 63 minutes as Lynch scored his first for the club. Brownhill played a corner into a crowded box and the centre half’s glancing header evaded Shenton and put United 3-1 up.
United’s third substitution was Greg Daniels who replaced goalscorer Greaves with just over 20 minutes to go. FC then thought they had added a fourth when Norton tapped in a Wolfenden pass, only to be ruled offside.
FC United saw out the game with confidence, despite the worsening weather conditions. The Rams were unable to offer anything to get back into the game and instead finished with nine men as Malachi Slaven was dismissed after receiving a second yellow and former FC defender Danny Warrender was carried off with an injury.
Elation and relief were the overriding emotions as the whistle blew, indicating the Reds’ first three points of the campaign and also an extension to the unbeaten run.
Report by Victoria Fullen
Website man of the match: Chris Lynch – An important addition to United’s defence and also proving his attacking ability with some good ventures forward and a first goal for the club.
