Match Report

An Adam Le Fondre penalty was all that separated FC United and Lancaster City on a cold afternoon in Lancaster as FC ran out 1-0 winners away from home.

FC started the day in 12th place, on a four-match unbeaten run, whilst Lancaster sat in 10th.

It took about 25 minutes for the first real bit of action in the game, as Dylan Mottley-Henry lofted a great cross in for Fitzmartin who was arriving late into the box, his side-footed volley looked destined for the back of the net but a wonderful low save from Aiden Dowling denied him.

Only moments later, Charlie Munro’s corner was met very well by Noah Halford and his header also looked like a certain goal, however an off-the-line clearance from the Dolly Blues kept the score level.

As we approached the half time whistle, Mottley-Henry linked up with Fitzmartin once again by crossing a good ball to the back post, Fitzmartin was able to touch it down and cut inside, aiming for the bottom right corner - but he was, once again, denied by a fantastic save from Dowling.

Half-time came and went with the opening 15 minutes of the second half being very similar to the beginning of the first half as there was not too much going on.

That was until, just after the hour mark, FC were awarded a penalty. A ball into the box was flicked on by Mottley-Henry, he chased his own flick on and got to the ball before the onrushing Lancaster keeper could, with the referee showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Top goalscorer Le Fondre stepped up to the penalty spot and smashed it into the back of the net, sending Dowling the wrong way and giving the visitors the lead.

With just over 10 minutes of the game remaining, Lancaster had a huge chance to equalise. A ball was poked forward to Lewis Mansell who got a boot to it but Conor O’Keefe was able to rush out and block his shot. It fell to Dominic Lawson who had plenty of the goal to aim at as the keeper was still on the floor recovering, but he blasted it over.

A few minutes later, Lancaster went close again. Charlie Bailey danced through the FC defence to fashion a chance for himself before rifling a shot towards the bottom left corner which looked goal-bound but a magnificent save from O’Keefe denied him.

Despite the late onslaught from Lancaster City, FC United managed to stay resolute and defend their lead, meaning that they ran out 1-0 winners in the end – their first ever win at Lancaster’s ground, Giant Axe, and their first clean sheet since Boxing Day.

The win sees FC and Lancaster swap places, with the Reds climbing to 10th whilst the Dolly Blues drop to 12th – next up for FC United is a home match against Bamber Bridge.

But finally, a win at Giant Axe for FC!

Match report by Fin Gaynor