Match Report
FC United gained another point on the road with a hard fought goalless draw at Kings Lynn on Saturday afternoon where captain Dean Stott was sent off for two bookable offences with 15 minutes to go in front of 1,440 supporters.
In a game of very few chances, the Reds probably had the best one with Michael Norton forcing goalkeeper Alex Street into a fantastic reflex save with a header five minutes before half-time. The Linnets had chances to win the match too, most notably when centre-back Ryan Fryatt’s header rattled the crossbar midway through the second-half.
But all-in-all, a draw was a fair result and United will be pleased to come away with a point, especially after going down to ten men.
The players had a bizarre start to the day with the team coach being stopped by the police near Leeds, under suspicion of being en route to an English Defence League protest, rather than travelling to represent our supporter-owned, community-engaging football club.
The match got off to a strange start too when, just minutes in, the referee asked centre-back Lee Neville and moments later Linnets forward, Rob Duffy to change their cycling shorts because they didn’t match the colour of their official shorts. Both players were left stranded on the sidelines one after another as the referee twice waited for a break in play to allow them back onto the pitch when it seemed easier to just wave them on when they were ready.
Unfortunately, it proved to be one of the few highlights of the first half. The hosts barely tested Jon Worsnop in the opening 45 minutes and Street didn’t have much to do either, other than saving well from Norton’s header after Tom Davies flicked-on Astley Mulholland’s corner.
Greg Daniels had the first close chance of the game in the 37th minute when he headed a good cross from the right by Matthew Wolfenden over the bar. Moments before half-time, Mulholland tested Street with a low hard drive from 30 yards out, which he dealt with comfortably. The best the Linnets could muster was on the half hour mark when Duffy lashed a long range effort over the bar.
The second half was much the same, although the hosts did improve and had a couple of chances to steal victory. Mulholland forced Street into another low save from the left, before Fryatt twice went close from corners. Moments after striking the bar, the Kings Lynn defender forced Worsnop into a double save as the United ‘keeper blocked a header and rushed back to tip the ball over the bar as it threatened to loop into the goal.
With quarter of an hour left on the clock, Stott spoilt want had otherwise been a very good captain’s performance. The United midfielder mistimed a challenge on Gary Mills on the touchline in front of the dugouts and the referee took the chance to use his red card by giving Stott his second yellow.
The Linnets knew that with the extra man advantage they had a superb opportunity to break the deadlock and take all three points but United held firm to keep them out and hold on for a draw.
Man of the match: Michael Norton. Just shaded it from Dean Stott due to the skipper’s dismissal. Tirelessly led the United attack and was unlucky not to provide the elusive match winner.
Report by Matthew Haley
Match Report
FC United gained another point on the road with a hard fought goalless draw at Kings Lynn on Saturday afternoon where captain Dean Stott was sent off for two bookable offences with 15 minutes to go in front of 1,440 supporters.
In a game of very few chances, the Reds probably had the best one with Michael Norton forcing goalkeeper Alex Street into a fantastic reflex save with a header five minutes before half-time. The Linnets had chances to win the match too, most notably when centre-back Ryan Fryatt’s header rattled the crossbar midway through the second-half.
But all-in-all, a draw was a fair result and United will be pleased to come away with a point, especially after going down to ten men.
The players had a bizarre start to the day with the team coach being stopped by the police near Leeds, under suspicion of being en route to an English Defence League protest, rather than travelling to represent our supporter-owned, community-engaging football club.
The match got off to a strange start too when, just minutes in, the referee asked centre-back Lee Neville and moments later Linnets forward, Rob Duffy to change their cycling shorts because they didn’t match the colour of their official shorts. Both players were left stranded on the sidelines one after another as the referee twice waited for a break in play to allow them back onto the pitch when it seemed easier to just wave them on when they were ready.
Unfortunately, it proved to be one of the few highlights of the first half. The hosts barely tested Jon Worsnop in the opening 45 minutes and Street didn’t have much to do either, other than saving well from Norton’s header after Tom Davies flicked-on Astley Mulholland’s corner.
Greg Daniels had the first close chance of the game in the 37th minute when he headed a good cross from the right by Matthew Wolfenden over the bar. Moments before half-time, Mulholland tested Street with a low hard drive from 30 yards out, which he dealt with comfortably. The best the Linnets could muster was on the half hour mark when Duffy lashed a long range effort over the bar.
The second half was much the same, although the hosts did improve and had a couple of chances to steal victory. Mulholland forced Street into another low save from the left, before Fryatt twice went close from corners. Moments after striking the bar, the Kings Lynn defender forced Worsnop into a double save as the United ‘keeper blocked a header and rushed back to tip the ball over the bar as it threatened to loop into the goal.
With quarter of an hour left on the clock, Stott spoilt want had otherwise been a very good captain’s performance. The United midfielder mistimed a challenge on Gary Mills on the touchline in front of the dugouts and the referee took the chance to use his red card by giving Stott his second yellow.
The Linnets knew that with the extra man advantage they had a superb opportunity to break the deadlock and take all three points but United held firm to keep them out and hold on for a draw.
Man of the match: Michael Norton. Just shaded it from Dean Stott due to the skipper’s dismissal. Tirelessly led the United attack and was unlucky not to provide the elusive match winner.
Report by Matthew Haley
