FC United held at home by Stalybridge Celtic
FC United of Manchester played out a competitive draw with Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,940 supporters at Broadhurst Park.
First half goals from FC United striker Matt Van Wyk, and well-regarded Celtic forward Raul Correia ensured that the points were shared evenly, during what proved to be an eventful afternoon between the two Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division sides.
Following a series of recent departures and injuries to the match-day squad, FC United manager Neil Reynolds has been quick to bring in new players. There is plenty to commend the direction in which he’s taking a young and adventurous side, which included two new signings, well-travelled right back Ethan Vaughan, and striker Keegan Hartley in the match day squad, alongside youth team prospect Sam Sharrock-Peplow.
As the first half kicked off, it looked like FC United had chosen the wrong day to make a sluggish start, as Stalybridge raced into the game, looking keen to gain an upper hand on their opponents in the opening exchanges.
After a good pattern of attacking play, and chances on goal, Celtic thought they had taken the lead twice in the opening half. The first came through forward Domaine Rouse, who climbed high above the attacking pack to connect with an in swinging corner, and headed the ball into the back of the net, only for his opening effort to be called marginally offside.
Just minutes later Rouse was again on target, as he forced a wonder save from FC United’s in form goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe. The Reds’ stopper stretched out at full length but was unfortunate to parry the ball directly into the bath of Celtic’s Harry Benns.
The Celts forward improvised well and caught the ball mid-volley with the back of his heel to aim an effort goalwards. Despite appearing prone, and seemingly tangled up in the goal netting, Lavercombe was skilled enough to block the shot from crossing the goal line. Celtic’s fans and players protested strongly in the belief that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee was having none of their protests.
Quickly, and quite against the pattern of play, FC took the lead with a well worked goal. Michael Donohue rounded off a fine, fluid move from the hosts, by playing a delicate through ball into striker Van Wyk.
The new FC forward got the better of Stalybridge keeper Greg Hall in a one-vs-one, before rifling the ball into the back of the net for the afternoon’s opener, keeping his fine form in front of goal rolling, since he rejoined the Reds earlier this month.
The Reds’ lead didn’t last long though, as Celtic attacked their opponent’s backline with a renewed determination. This time, striker Raul Correia levelled the score in the 43rd minute, as he topped off a passage of intense attacking play from the visitors by coolly finding the net from a corner.
FC United had managed to repel an initial shot on target from the visitor’s set piece, but were unable to clear their line, leaving Correia to stab the ball onto the net, ensuring his team went in on level terms at the break.
The second half had a very different complexion on it, as FC United took the game to Stalybridge. At times the hosts seemed to be camped in their opponent’s half, constantly peppering the penalty area with attacking purpose, and leaving the visiting team registering with no shots on target for the last 45 minutes in response, in spite of their applaudable defensive display.
The half was notable for an impressive, attacking display from the new look home side, while defender Jan Palinkas and substitute Guy Hall stood resolute in defence. Perhaps FC’s best chance of the half fell for debutant Ethan Vaughan who was unlucky not to score from a shot that fell to him on the edge of the area in the final ten minutes. The full back latched onto a ball, pulled back for him on the edge of the box from Van Wyck, only to send his effort agonisingly wide of the right-hand post, just shy of a winner for his side.
A final moment of drama remained, as FC pushed hard for a winner against a Stalybridge side putting bodies on the line in the hope of league points. Controversy rained in the closing minutes of the half, as the home slide raged against a decision from the referee to award Celtic keeper Hall a yellow card for a heavy challenge on United’s Dontai Gabidon, with many in the ground feeling like a red would have been more deserving for the tackle.
The ever-improving FC United winger had bared down in front of the SMRE goal, only for the visiting keeper to rush out of his area and appear to clear Gabidon out in mid-air. Hall tumbled to the ground in the process of making the challenge, seemingly doing enough to convince the referee that both players had come off badly from a 50/50 ball.
As the referee blew the whistle on the game both sides were left to reflect on what might have been. Stalybridge gave a good account of themselves, picking up a precious point on the road in the process, and may feel an air of grievance regarding their two chalked off chances in the first half. FC United will take great heart from a new look side showing plenty of grit and attacking promise as the business end of the season rolls around.
Website man of the match: Jan Palinkas - one of a number of players benefitting from an extended run in the first team. Jan continues to play with an attitude and level of experience belying his age.
Report by Sam Turner
FC United held at home by Stalybridge Celtic
FC United of Manchester played out a competitive draw with Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,940 supporters at Broadhurst Park.
First half goals from FC United striker Matt Van Wyk, and well-regarded Celtic forward Raul Correia ensured that the points were shared evenly, during what proved to be an eventful afternoon between the two Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division sides.
Following a series of recent departures and injuries to the match-day squad, FC United manager Neil Reynolds has been quick to bring in new players. There is plenty to commend the direction in which he’s taking a young and adventurous side, which included two new signings, well-travelled right back Ethan Vaughan, and striker Keegan Hartley in the match day squad, alongside youth team prospect Sam Sharrock-Peplow.
As the first half kicked off, it looked like FC United had chosen the wrong day to make a sluggish start, as Stalybridge raced into the game, looking keen to gain an upper hand on their opponents in the opening exchanges.
After a good pattern of attacking play, and chances on goal, Celtic thought they had taken the lead twice in the opening half. The first came through forward Domaine Rouse, who climbed high above the attacking pack to connect with an in swinging corner, and headed the ball into the back of the net, only for his opening effort to be called marginally offside.
Just minutes later Rouse was again on target, as he forced a wonder save from FC United’s in form goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe. The Reds’ stopper stretched out at full length but was unfortunate to parry the ball directly into the bath of Celtic’s Harry Benns.
The Celts forward improvised well and caught the ball mid-volley with the back of his heel to aim an effort goalwards. Despite appearing prone, and seemingly tangled up in the goal netting, Lavercombe was skilled enough to block the shot from crossing the goal line. Celtic’s fans and players protested strongly in the belief that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee was having none of their protests.
Quickly, and quite against the pattern of play, FC took the lead with a well worked goal. Michael Donohue rounded off a fine, fluid move from the hosts, by playing a delicate through ball into striker Van Wyk.
The new FC forward got the better of Stalybridge keeper Greg Hall in a one-vs-one, before rifling the ball into the back of the net for the afternoon’s opener, keeping his fine form in front of goal rolling, since he rejoined the Reds earlier this month.
The Reds’ lead didn’t last long though, as Celtic attacked their opponent’s backline with a renewed determination. This time, striker Raul Correia levelled the score in the 43rd minute, as he topped off a passage of intense attacking play from the visitors by coolly finding the net from a corner.
FC United had managed to repel an initial shot on target from the visitor’s set piece, but were unable to clear their line, leaving Correia to stab the ball onto the net, ensuring his team went in on level terms at the break.
The second half had a very different complexion on it, as FC United took the game to Stalybridge. At times the hosts seemed to be camped in their opponent’s half, constantly peppering the penalty area with attacking purpose, and leaving the visiting team registering with no shots on target for the last 45 minutes in response, in spite of their applaudable defensive display.
The half was notable for an impressive, attacking display from the new look home side, while defender Jan Palinkas and substitute Guy Hall stood resolute in defence. Perhaps FC’s best chance of the half fell for debutant Ethan Vaughan who was unlucky not to score from a shot that fell to him on the edge of the area in the final ten minutes. The full back latched onto a ball, pulled back for him on the edge of the box from Van Wyck, only to send his effort agonisingly wide of the right-hand post, just shy of a winner for his side.
A final moment of drama remained, as FC pushed hard for a winner against a Stalybridge side putting bodies on the line in the hope of league points. Controversy rained in the closing minutes of the half, as the home slide raged against a decision from the referee to award Celtic keeper Hall a yellow card for a heavy challenge on United’s Dontai Gabidon, with many in the ground feeling like a red would have been more deserving for the tackle.
The ever-improving FC United winger had bared down in front of the SMRE goal, only for the visiting keeper to rush out of his area and appear to clear Gabidon out in mid-air. Hall tumbled to the ground in the process of making the challenge, seemingly doing enough to convince the referee that both players had come off badly from a 50/50 ball.
As the referee blew the whistle on the game both sides were left to reflect on what might have been. Stalybridge gave a good account of themselves, picking up a precious point on the road in the process, and may feel an air of grievance regarding their two chalked off chances in the first half. FC United will take great heart from a new look side showing plenty of grit and attacking promise as the business end of the season rolls around.
Website man of the match: Jan Palinkas - one of a number of players benefitting from an extended run in the first team. Jan continues to play with an attitude and level of experience belying his age.
Report by Sam Turner
