Match Report
Maine Road pulled off a massive upset in controversial circumstances against FC United at Brantingham Road on Tuesday night in a match that provided another good work out for the Reds.
United took the lead against their former North West Counties rivals but the Manchester City supporters’ club struck back through ex-FC player Neil Chappell and won the match with a goal that possibly didn’t cross the line.
The boys in red started brightly and could easily have been two goals up inside 10 minutes as Jerome Wright, playing on his old stomping ground had a couple of shots that flew just wide. Maine Road soon found their feet though and they could have broken the deadlock but Chappell failed to connect with the ball right in front of goal.
If truth be told it was quite a scrappy start but the game was brightened up on 25 minutes with some fantastic football between Adam Carden and Ben Deegan on the right wing which resulted in a cross that was volleyed home by Simon Carden to put FC one up.
The lead lasted just over five minutes though as the dangerous Chappell was played in on goal and he kept his cool as he slotted the ball past Sam Ashton to equalise. The home side then pressed to try and take the lead but it was the Reds who came the nearest to scoring with Shaun Williams firing just wide.
The second half started as it meant to go on with a controversial incident. One of the Maine Road defenders was adjudged to have played a back-pass to his keeper. The free-kick was rolled to Adam Carden who fired just over the bar.
United certainly started the second half the brighter but they were dealt a cruel blow on 62 minutes. A Maine Road counter attack was brought to an end with a trip on their striker by David Chadwick, a foul that may well have brought a red card in a competitive game.
The resultant penalty was saved by FC United’s substitute keeper Grant Shenton but the ball ran back to the penalty taker. He tried to take the ball back round the keeper and rolled the ball towards the line where it was cleared by Chadwick who looked as if he has atoned for his original foul. Inexplicably, the assistant referee decided that the ball had crossed the line and the goal was given by the referee.
Down at the other end, Deegan was very unlucky with a header that was superbly tipped over by the Maine Road keeper. The home team were happy to play on the counter attack and nearly extended their lead after a poor back-pass by Ben Morris sold his keeper short but the resultant shot smacked against the post.
On 83 mins, FC nearly drew level when a downward header by Wright bounced up onto the bar. It would have been a fitting end to the game for Wright who made full use of the wide pitch to have a great game.
Despite the result, the match was another handy run out for the FC squad who are building up nicely to the start of the season in just over a week’s time.
Report by Steven Wood
Match Report
Maine Road pulled off a massive upset in controversial circumstances against FC United at Brantingham Road on Tuesday night in a match that provided another good work out for the Reds.
United took the lead against their former North West Counties rivals but the Manchester City supporters’ club struck back through ex-FC player Neil Chappell and won the match with a goal that possibly didn’t cross the line.
The boys in red started brightly and could easily have been two goals up inside 10 minutes as Jerome Wright, playing on his old stomping ground had a couple of shots that flew just wide. Maine Road soon found their feet though and they could have broken the deadlock but Chappell failed to connect with the ball right in front of goal.
If truth be told it was quite a scrappy start but the game was brightened up on 25 minutes with some fantastic football between Adam Carden and Ben Deegan on the right wing which resulted in a cross that was volleyed home by Simon Carden to put FC one up.
The lead lasted just over five minutes though as the dangerous Chappell was played in on goal and he kept his cool as he slotted the ball past Sam Ashton to equalise. The home side then pressed to try and take the lead but it was the Reds who came the nearest to scoring with Shaun Williams firing just wide.
The second half started as it meant to go on with a controversial incident. One of the Maine Road defenders was adjudged to have played a back-pass to his keeper. The free-kick was rolled to Adam Carden who fired just over the bar.
United certainly started the second half the brighter but they were dealt a cruel blow on 62 minutes. A Maine Road counter attack was brought to an end with a trip on their striker by David Chadwick, a foul that may well have brought a red card in a competitive game.
The resultant penalty was saved by FC United’s substitute keeper Grant Shenton but the ball ran back to the penalty taker. He tried to take the ball back round the keeper and rolled the ball towards the line where it was cleared by Chadwick who looked as if he has atoned for his original foul. Inexplicably, the assistant referee decided that the ball had crossed the line and the goal was given by the referee.
Down at the other end, Deegan was very unlucky with a header that was superbly tipped over by the Maine Road keeper. The home team were happy to play on the counter attack and nearly extended their lead after a poor back-pass by Ben Morris sold his keeper short but the resultant shot smacked against the post.
On 83 mins, FC nearly drew level when a downward header by Wright bounced up onto the bar. It would have been a fitting end to the game for Wright who made full use of the wide pitch to have a great game.
Despite the result, the match was another handy run out for the FC squad who are building up nicely to the start of the season in just over a week’s time.
Report by Steven Wood
