Match Report
FC United are out of the Manchester Premier Cup after losing by the odd goal in seven to Stalybridge Celtic in an entertaining tie at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Craig Lindfield, Cameron Murray and Matthew Wolfenden had given FC a 3-2 lead in the second half, but the visitors fought back with two well taken goals sealing victory and their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
With Saturday’s draw at Nuneaton stopping a run of seven straight defeats in the league, manager Karl Marginson opted to field a strong team, looking to give valuable minutes and even more valuable confidence to the squad.
But in truth it was a shaky start for the men in red as the visitors pushed forward from the off. Celtic took advantage of the wet surface and played fast balls into the channels, looking to capitalise on their pacy attack.
This led to the first goal as a ball across the six yard box found Darius Osei who had the easiest of tap-ins to put the visitors a goal up.
It could have been worse for FC United as the visitors kept coming forward and looked like creating a goal scoring opportunity each time they did. Osei had the home defence at sixes and sevens and had it not been for a few great reaction saves from Dave Carnell it could have been game over early on.
United did grow into the match and got back into things as a ball from the right was met by Lindfield’s head; after a great run onto the ball, to find the back of the net and level the game.
However, the joy was short-lived as Celtic went back in front after a quick one-two with Osei, Steve Tames slotted past Carnell and despite suspicions of offside the away team’s lead was quickly restored.
FC United fought back in the game and this was rewarded just before halftime. Murray floated a perfectly placed ball from outside the box easily past Tony McMillan in the Celtic goal to send the teams in at the break; level at 2-2.
The second half began much brighter, with FC United moving up a gear and looking faster and certainly more threatening in the final third, obviously buoyed on by the late goal in the first half.
Wolfenden linked up well with Rory Patterson and managed to get free in the box, one-on-one with McMillan. Wolfenden coolly chipped the ball over McMillan and into the back of the net to give United the lead for the first time in the game.
After taking the lead United looked good value for another that would surely seal a semi-final berth, but despite some good work the lack of minutes for some players and an undoubtedly heavy pitch began to take its toll. Celtic found themselves back in the game with a goal from Matty Hughes making it 3-3 with just over 15 minutes left.
It had seemed like the FC defence would stand strong with several last ditch clearances and saves but substitute Chris Simm had the final say. As the game entered the last 10 minutes, thoughts were turning to penalties much like the last round against Glossop North End.
However, a ball from the right was sent across the box and the fresh legs of Simm used the wet conditions to slide the ball home and put Celtic through to the next round.
Despite the loss, there were several positive performances on the pitch and following up on the two goals score at Nuneaton on Saturday the three scored tonight is another positive sign. The Reds now welcome AFC Telford United on Friday evening as we look to replicate last season’s success in the FA Trophy and give the season a kickstart.
Website Man of the Match: Dave Carnell – Not often would a goalkeeper concede four and walk away with the honours, but Carnell’s saves; especially those in the first half, kept FC United in the game and made for an entertaining cup tie.
Report by Craig Phillips
Match Report
FC United are out of the Manchester Premier Cup after losing by the odd goal in seven to Stalybridge Celtic in an entertaining tie at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Craig Lindfield, Cameron Murray and Matthew Wolfenden had given FC a 3-2 lead in the second half, but the visitors fought back with two well taken goals sealing victory and their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
With Saturday’s draw at Nuneaton stopping a run of seven straight defeats in the league, manager Karl Marginson opted to field a strong team, looking to give valuable minutes and even more valuable confidence to the squad.
But in truth it was a shaky start for the men in red as the visitors pushed forward from the off. Celtic took advantage of the wet surface and played fast balls into the channels, looking to capitalise on their pacy attack.
This led to the first goal as a ball across the six yard box found Darius Osei who had the easiest of tap-ins to put the visitors a goal up.
It could have been worse for FC United as the visitors kept coming forward and looked like creating a goal scoring opportunity each time they did. Osei had the home defence at sixes and sevens and had it not been for a few great reaction saves from Dave Carnell it could have been game over early on.
United did grow into the match and got back into things as a ball from the right was met by Lindfield’s head; after a great run onto the ball, to find the back of the net and level the game.
However, the joy was short-lived as Celtic went back in front after a quick one-two with Osei, Steve Tames slotted past Carnell and despite suspicions of offside the away team’s lead was quickly restored.
FC United fought back in the game and this was rewarded just before halftime. Murray floated a perfectly placed ball from outside the box easily past Tony McMillan in the Celtic goal to send the teams in at the break; level at 2-2.
The second half began much brighter, with FC United moving up a gear and looking faster and certainly more threatening in the final third, obviously buoyed on by the late goal in the first half.
Wolfenden linked up well with Rory Patterson and managed to get free in the box, one-on-one with McMillan. Wolfenden coolly chipped the ball over McMillan and into the back of the net to give United the lead for the first time in the game.
After taking the lead United looked good value for another that would surely seal a semi-final berth, but despite some good work the lack of minutes for some players and an undoubtedly heavy pitch began to take its toll. Celtic found themselves back in the game with a goal from Matty Hughes making it 3-3 with just over 15 minutes left.
It had seemed like the FC defence would stand strong with several last ditch clearances and saves but substitute Chris Simm had the final say. As the game entered the last 10 minutes, thoughts were turning to penalties much like the last round against Glossop North End.
However, a ball from the right was sent across the box and the fresh legs of Simm used the wet conditions to slide the ball home and put Celtic through to the next round.
Despite the loss, there were several positive performances on the pitch and following up on the two goals score at Nuneaton on Saturday the three scored tonight is another positive sign. The Reds now welcome AFC Telford United on Friday evening as we look to replicate last season’s success in the FA Trophy and give the season a kickstart.
Website Man of the Match: Dave Carnell – Not often would a goalkeeper concede four and walk away with the honours, but Carnell’s saves; especially those in the first half, kept FC United in the game and made for an entertaining cup tie.
Report by Craig Phillips