FC United move off the bottom after shock win at Kidderminster
FC United are off the bottom of the Vanarama National League North after ending the reign of caretaker boss David Chadwick with a well deserved 2-1 victory at second placed Kidderminster Harriers.
Injuries and suspensions meant that the Reds had to field a team with an average age of 22. Some people would probably have thought more about getting the game out of the way before Neil Reynolds takes over the reigns of the club but a superb team performance saw the Reds return from Worcestershire with all three points.
The signs were ominous for FC as the home side took the lead on five minutes when a free-kick from the right deceived everyone and was played to the edge of the box where the league leading scorer Ed Williams was stood waiting. He took a touch and curled a great shot past the returning Lloyd Allinson for 1-0.
This goal started a few minutes of panic in the FC backline and it looked like the lead would be increased, especially when Billy Daniels went through but saw Allinson pull off a great save with his legs. FC were showing an attacking intent of their own, Jack Banister combining well with Michael Donohue who saw his shot save well by Brandon Hall, the rebound falling to Elliot Simoes but he skied his shot over the bar.
Harriers were finding lots of space behind the FC defence and Ashley Williams should have done better when played through. He was one on one with Allinson but somehow managed to drag his shot wide.
On 20 minutes the Reds pulled level when Simoes released Banister and his shot found its way into the net off keeper Hall for 1-1. It was a great reward for some fast, attacking play from FC but it could have been in vain on 25 minutes when Declan Weeks planted a free-kick against the FC post.
Just after the half hour mark, FC took the lead when another great move involving debutant Liam Healey saw the ball out to Joel Senior. He clipped a good ball into Banister who fired home his second gaol of the day via a deflection off a defender.
This goal saw home heads drop and FC heads rise and it was FC in total ascendency. Simoes again found space in the Kiddy box and his shot was well saved by Hall, the ball fell to Donohue and in a carbon copy of the the chance from Simoes earlier, skied the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score.
The chances continued for FC, Simoes again denied by Hall and with a minute left in the half, Donohue found himself clear with the goal in front of him. For some reason, he decided to be unselfish and find a team mate, the ball being cleared, when it looked for all the world like he should have shot and scored.
The first chance of the second half fell to Harriers when Ashley Chambers went through but fired wide. FC still looked dangerous on the break, Banister firing just over and Senior testing Hall. The home side were looking for the equaliser but they were coming up against a resolute FC defence where Cole Lonsdale was shining on his league debut for FC.
On 72 minutes, substitute Jamel Crawford was unlucky when his shot from a corner smacked against the bar, his follow up shot was well saved on the line by Hall. As expected, the last few minutes saw the home side put pressure on the FC backline, Williams shooting wide and Theo Brierley clearing a header off his line.
Deep into injury time Joe Ironside had a golden opportunity when he went clean through on goal, Allison pulling off a great save. The ball bounced around the FC box and Allison was called upon again saving this time with his legs.
At the final whistle, the relief was palpable as the players celebrated with the fans and will now take a great momentum into the start of the Neil Reynolds era.
Report by Steven Wood
Website man of the match - Could be any one of the FC players this week but for standing up in the defence on his league debut and being commanding throughout as well as starting many attacks with great passing, Cole Lonsdale takes this weeks award.
FC United move off the bottom after shock win at Kidderminster
FC United are off the bottom of the Vanarama National League North after ending the reign of caretaker boss David Chadwick with a well deserved 2-1 victory at second placed Kidderminster Harriers.
Injuries and suspensions meant that the Reds had to field a team with an average age of 22. Some people would probably have thought more about getting the game out of the way before Neil Reynolds takes over the reigns of the club but a superb team performance saw the Reds return from Worcestershire with all three points.
The signs were ominous for FC as the home side took the lead on five minutes when a free-kick from the right deceived everyone and was played to the edge of the box where the league leading scorer Ed Williams was stood waiting. He took a touch and curled a great shot past the returning Lloyd Allinson for 1-0.
This goal started a few minutes of panic in the FC backline and it looked like the lead would be increased, especially when Billy Daniels went through but saw Allinson pull off a great save with his legs. FC were showing an attacking intent of their own, Jack Banister combining well with Michael Donohue who saw his shot save well by Brandon Hall, the rebound falling to Elliot Simoes but he skied his shot over the bar.
Harriers were finding lots of space behind the FC defence and Ashley Williams should have done better when played through. He was one on one with Allinson but somehow managed to drag his shot wide.
On 20 minutes the Reds pulled level when Simoes released Banister and his shot found its way into the net off keeper Hall for 1-1. It was a great reward for some fast, attacking play from FC but it could have been in vain on 25 minutes when Declan Weeks planted a free-kick against the FC post.
Just after the half hour mark, FC took the lead when another great move involving debutant Liam Healey saw the ball out to Joel Senior. He clipped a good ball into Banister who fired home his second gaol of the day via a deflection off a defender.
This goal saw home heads drop and FC heads rise and it was FC in total ascendency. Simoes again found space in the Kiddy box and his shot was well saved by Hall, the ball fell to Donohue and in a carbon copy of the the chance from Simoes earlier, skied the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score.
The chances continued for FC, Simoes again denied by Hall and with a minute left in the half, Donohue found himself clear with the goal in front of him. For some reason, he decided to be unselfish and find a team mate, the ball being cleared, when it looked for all the world like he should have shot and scored.
The first chance of the second half fell to Harriers when Ashley Chambers went through but fired wide. FC still looked dangerous on the break, Banister firing just over and Senior testing Hall. The home side were looking for the equaliser but they were coming up against a resolute FC defence where Cole Lonsdale was shining on his league debut for FC.
On 72 minutes, substitute Jamel Crawford was unlucky when his shot from a corner smacked against the bar, his follow up shot was well saved on the line by Hall. As expected, the last few minutes saw the home side put pressure on the FC backline, Williams shooting wide and Theo Brierley clearing a header off his line.
Deep into injury time Joe Ironside had a golden opportunity when he went clean through on goal, Allison pulling off a great save. The ball bounced around the FC box and Allison was called upon again saving this time with his legs.
At the final whistle, the relief was palpable as the players celebrated with the fans and will now take a great momentum into the start of the Neil Reynolds era.
Report by Steven Wood
Website man of the match - Could be any one of the FC players this week but for standing up in the defence on his league debut and being commanding throughout as well as starting many attacks with great passing, Cole Lonsdale takes this weeks award.
(for 10, 59 mins) 
