FC United slip to ninth after defeat at Matlock Town
FC United have slipped to ninth place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, but are still within three points of the play-offs, after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Matlock Town on Saturday afternoon.
A close-range strike by John Johnston seven minutes into the second half settled the hard-fought contest in front of 1,318 supporters at Causeway Lane.
The Reds worked tirelessly, Michael Potts hit the inside of the post, and Curtis Jones had a stonewall penalty seemingly go unnoticed by referee Matt Tyers, but they will be disappointed to only force goalkeeper Saul Deeney into three saves.
Dan Lavercombe was by far the busier of the two keepers and had it not been for two fantastic saves, one in each half, the Gladiators may have won more comfortably.
Inevitably, United were going to miss their talisman Regan Linney – the league’s top scorer with 20 goals so far this season – who was transferred to Altrincham of the National League on Friday for an undisclosed fee. And so it proved.
The Reds had the first couple of chances but failed to hit the target with Potts shooting over the bar from 20 yards out and Ennis flashing an effort across goal from a tight angle.
Lavercombe was called into the action for the first time on 15 minutes when a ball over the top gave Alex Byrne the whole of the FC United half to run into unchallenged. He weaved his way in from the left before unleashing a shot which Lavercombe tipped wide.
Down at the other end, Michael Donnohue was enjoying a welcome return to the team after injury and his cross from the left found Dontai Gabidon but his acrobatic volley was blocked by a defender.
Moments later, Donnohue registered United’s first shot on target when his low, curling effort from 25 yards was comfortably saved by Deeney.
Into the second half and it looked like United might finally make the breakthrough when Potts rushed forward and created space for himself on the edge of the box to fire a shot away. The FC United faithful sensed a goal, but Potts’ strike was agonisingly tipped onto the inside of the post by the faintest of touches from Deeney.
The Gladiators then took control of the match. In the 52nd minute a corner from Byrne was headed on and the unmarked Johnston swivelled at the back post to fire home from inside the six-yard box.
United almost replied instantly, but despite his best-efforts striker Josiah Dyer couldn’t get anything on the end of an Ennis cross when he slid in at the back post. Moments later, Deeney smothered a tame effort from Gabidon. Both were the types of chances that need to be put away to pick up points.
Matlock came the closest to producing what would have been the game’s second goal when they nearly doubled their lead with 20 minutes to go.
Halftime substitute Saul Milovanovic was so confident his 25-yard pile driver would find the back of the net he wheeled away to celebrate. However, he hadn’t factored in the heroics of Lavercombe who made a world class save to tip the fierce shot onto the upright. Centre-back Andy Halls was on hand to clear the loose ball to safety.
With the 90 minutes of normal time almost played, Neil Reynolds’ side had one last opportunity to rescue a point when a ball was pumped high into the box. Jones was grappled across the face from behind by a defender and pulled to the ground. By the letter of the law, it was a clear penalty and red card offence. Only Mr Tyers will be able to explain whether he saw the incident and, if he did, why he allowed it to go unpunished.
It was a frustrating defeat for FC United but one they must draw a line under and move on. The Reds have another six-pointer against Guiseley at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night, and they will quickly need to find someone who can attempt to fill the void left by Linney.
Website man of the match: Dan Lavercombe. Goalkeepers are meant to make saves, they’re ‘just doing their job’, but Lavercombe makes saves many other goalkeepers wouldn’t be capable of. Another player who could easily be plying his trade higher up the pyramid.
Report by Matthew Haley
FC United slip to ninth after defeat at Matlock Town
FC United have slipped to ninth place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, but are still within three points of the play-offs, after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Matlock Town on Saturday afternoon.
A close-range strike by John Johnston seven minutes into the second half settled the hard-fought contest in front of 1,318 supporters at Causeway Lane.
The Reds worked tirelessly, Michael Potts hit the inside of the post, and Curtis Jones had a stonewall penalty seemingly go unnoticed by referee Matt Tyers, but they will be disappointed to only force goalkeeper Saul Deeney into three saves.
Dan Lavercombe was by far the busier of the two keepers and had it not been for two fantastic saves, one in each half, the Gladiators may have won more comfortably.
Inevitably, United were going to miss their talisman Regan Linney – the league’s top scorer with 20 goals so far this season – who was transferred to Altrincham of the National League on Friday for an undisclosed fee. And so it proved.
The Reds had the first couple of chances but failed to hit the target with Potts shooting over the bar from 20 yards out and Ennis flashing an effort across goal from a tight angle.
Lavercombe was called into the action for the first time on 15 minutes when a ball over the top gave Alex Byrne the whole of the FC United half to run into unchallenged. He weaved his way in from the left before unleashing a shot which Lavercombe tipped wide.
Down at the other end, Michael Donnohue was enjoying a welcome return to the team after injury and his cross from the left found Dontai Gabidon but his acrobatic volley was blocked by a defender.
Moments later, Donnohue registered United’s first shot on target when his low, curling effort from 25 yards was comfortably saved by Deeney.
Into the second half and it looked like United might finally make the breakthrough when Potts rushed forward and created space for himself on the edge of the box to fire a shot away. The FC United faithful sensed a goal, but Potts’ strike was agonisingly tipped onto the inside of the post by the faintest of touches from Deeney.
The Gladiators then took control of the match. In the 52nd minute a corner from Byrne was headed on and the unmarked Johnston swivelled at the back post to fire home from inside the six-yard box.
United almost replied instantly, but despite his best-efforts striker Josiah Dyer couldn’t get anything on the end of an Ennis cross when he slid in at the back post. Moments later, Deeney smothered a tame effort from Gabidon. Both were the types of chances that need to be put away to pick up points.
Matlock came the closest to producing what would have been the game’s second goal when they nearly doubled their lead with 20 minutes to go.
Halftime substitute Saul Milovanovic was so confident his 25-yard pile driver would find the back of the net he wheeled away to celebrate. However, he hadn’t factored in the heroics of Lavercombe who made a world class save to tip the fierce shot onto the upright. Centre-back Andy Halls was on hand to clear the loose ball to safety.
With the 90 minutes of normal time almost played, Neil Reynolds’ side had one last opportunity to rescue a point when a ball was pumped high into the box. Jones was grappled across the face from behind by a defender and pulled to the ground. By the letter of the law, it was a clear penalty and red card offence. Only Mr Tyers will be able to explain whether he saw the incident and, if he did, why he allowed it to go unpunished.
It was a frustrating defeat for FC United but one they must draw a line under and move on. The Reds have another six-pointer against Guiseley at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night, and they will quickly need to find someone who can attempt to fill the void left by Linney.
Website man of the match: Dan Lavercombe. Goalkeepers are meant to make saves, they’re ‘just doing their job’, but Lavercombe makes saves many other goalkeepers wouldn’t be capable of. Another player who could easily be plying his trade higher up the pyramid.
Report by Matthew Haley
