Match Report

Nathan Lowe’s 94th minute wonder strike earned FC United their third successive victory as they beat Tamworth 1-0 at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

In what was a close and scrappy game for the most part, both teams went for the win in the last ten minutes with Lowe’s 30-yard rocket with what was pretty much the last kick of the game sealing the three points for the Reds.

Both teams came into the game on the back of big victories over promotion chasing sides last weekend; the Reds beating Kidderminster 1-0 whilst the Lambs had a 2-0 victory against Salford City, but the game never really got going in the opening period with lots of stoppages for offside decisions and fouls taking any momentum out of the game.

The best chance in the opening half came when the Reds had a free kick just outside the box, which Nathan Lowe hit just wide of the post.

For much of the second half the game followed the same pattern with not much being created and neither team really gaining an upper hand.

But with about fifteen minutes left both teams took a next goal wins mentality and went looking for the knockout blow and the three points, which turned the game into an end to end battle.

Both Jerome Wright and Jake Williams used their pace to create danger from either flank, but their balls into the box were cleared out by a steady looking Tamworth defence.

The Lambs had a great opportunity as Danny Newton moved into the box, but a last gasp challenge from both Zac Corbett and Luke Ashworth was enough to put him off and Dave Carnell saved the effort on goal.

It wasn’t until stoppage time that FC had their best chances, firstly when substitute Tom Greaves moved into the box and saw his low drive at goal saved brilliantly by Tamworth ‘keeper James Belshaw, who again was the hero from the resulting corner as he punched away Luke Ashworth’s effort.

The two stoppage time saves from Belshaw should have been enough to take a point back to Tamworth, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time the ball fell to Lowe about, who from 30 yards out unleashed a beautifully struck shot which left Belshaw no chance and wrapped up the three points for the Reds.

The victory is the first time we have put back to back home league victories together this season and is the third victory on the bounce; the second with a clean sheet following last weekend’s victory over Kidderminster.

With the three points the Reds leapfrog near neighbours Curzon Ashton into 12th place in the league, ahead of next weekend’s trip to Alfreton Town.

Website Man of the Match: Nathan Lowe – His stunning strike sealed the three points for the Reds, his third goal in the past three games.

Report by Craig Phillips