Match Report

Superb Grivosti Hat-Trick Sends Reds Up To Second

The Reds came into this fixture on the back of a pair of 1-0 league wins, and with a quiet Tuesday night schedule in the NPL, another three points would send FC up to second in the league with a game in hand over leaders Lancaster City.

In the end, a superb hat-trick from Matty Grivosti saw the Reds claim a 3-1 win.

Mark Beesley’s side got off to the perfect start. A fourth minute corner for the Reds was cleared away by the visitors. However, it only went as far as Matty Grivosti on the edge of the box. His powerful low effort found the bottom corner, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot, for his first goal of the season.

However, the Reds didn’t keep the lead for long. Just seven minutes later, the visitors levelled the scoring after FC failed to deal with a cross from the left. Kian Ryley found space in the box and fired a shot towards the far post. Despite getting a hand to on the shot, Dan Atherton couldn’t keep it out, conceding for just the second time at home in the league this season.

In the 40th minute, FC came close to scoring. Sme good work in the box by Adam Le Fondre saw his cross find Grivosti who laid it back to Charlie Munro. Unfortunately, the midfielder’s shot just went wide of the post. 

The sides went into the break level. 

FC came out after the break in a similar fashion to the first half. Five minutes into the half, Grivosti cut in from the right side of the pitch. His left-footed strike from 25 yards out beat the goalkeeper and found the far corner to regain the Reds' lead.

Five minutes later, Grivosti grabbed his third of the game to secure his hat-trick. After receiving the ball on the left-hand side, the winger cut in on his right foot this time and found the bottom corner from 20 yards to give the Reds a 3-1 advantage.

In the 65th minute, manager Mark Beesley decided it was time for the first change of the match. Michael Donohue was replaced by Ruben Grewal.

10 minutes later, Charlie Munro was replaced by Adam Sudworth as the Reds looked to see out the match.

With little further action in the game, manager Mark Beesley made his final three changes. Jay Fitzmartin, hat-trick hero Matty Grivosti and Adam Le Fondre were all replaced by Charlie Ennis, Jan Palinkas and finally Ron Sithole.

After three additional minutes of added time, the referee blew his whistle for full time. The Reds’ 3-1 victory sees them climb to second in the league. 

Report by Callum Griffies