FC United enjoy narrow 1-0 victory at Morpeth Town
FC United of Manchester made it three wins in four league games on Saturday afternoon with a hard won 1-0 win away at Morpeth Town, courtesy of a second half goal by striker Max Cane.
The result keeps alive the Reds’ very slim outside chance of edging into the Pitching In Northern Premier Division play-offs. They are eight points away from the all-important fifth place with four games to go.
It was another encouraging performance from a new-look United side packed with young and talented players.
As the game kicked off, Morpeth - a side sitting just above the relegation zone, and in need of points - looked determined to take the game to the visitors, and for the opening 20 minutes The ‘Peth had much of the upper hand in the game.
The home side pressed hard for an opening goal, racking up four corners in the opening 18 minutes, and going close to opening the scoring no less than four times in the process.
A flurry of chances fell to Jack Foalle, Chris Reid and Ryan Donaldson, all of whom saw their shots sail over goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe’s crossbar from inside the area. This was followed soon after by defender Ben Sayer, who was unlucky to see a headed effort from close range deflect off the right hand post.
FC United weathered the early storm admirably and were soon crafting good opportunities of their own at the other end of the pitch. Keane Barugh forced a brace of fine stops from home keeper Daniel Lowson and, quickly after, Keegan Hartley went close with an inswinging effort that forced Lowson into another quick thinking save, just minutes before the two sides headed back to the dressing rooms for the halftime break.
If the first half had seemed a fairly even affair between the two teams, then the opening minutes of the second period had an entirely different complexion to them. The introduction of Adam Dodd in midfield, and academy graduate Sandro da Costa on the right wing, injected extra dynamism and attacking intent to the visitor’s play, and very quickly started to feel like a goal was coming for the Reds.
Sure enough, FC United soon took the lead through a well-crafted goal from Cane. The young striker took a ball in from Dodd on the edge of the penalty area, and with his back to goal, dexterously switched the ball from his right to left, pushing himself in a pocket of space past the defence in the process, before cutting a low shot past a prone Lowson and into the Morpeth net for 1-0.
FC now looked to be enjoying themselves, as they played the ball freely in attack, and went close to gaining a second through Luke Griffiths, who sent a shot just wide of goal. Soon afterwards, da Costa was unlucky not to cap a fine individual performance with a goal as he narrowly dragged a shot wide of the left post from inside the penalty area.
As the game wore on, the Reds were frustrated in their attempts to find a second goal of the afternoon. Midfielder Michael Potts headed just inches over the crossbar from a corner, and lively substitute Matt Van Wyk forced another athletic, fingertip save from Lowson in stoppage time.
The home side, for their part, fought hard for an equaliser, but never looked like having that killer touch in front of goal. Midfielder Matty Cornish found himself with two good opportunities late on, only to send a glancing header wide of the far post with his first effort, and then square a shot directly at Lavercombe with his second.
As the final whistle blew, the FC players and staff went over to applaud their hardy travelling supporters whilst reflecting on an excellent away win, played out with plenty of defensive grit and attacking verve.
The result means that FC United have now won away against all four sides heading north on the A1 corridor, following victories earlier on this season at Whitby Town, Marske United and South Shields, along a route that is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for the Reds.
It’s also a win which is testament to the excellent, recent rebuild of the squad spearheaded by Reds’ boss Neil Reynolds, as his side heads into the final games of this season. Games against high flying Bamber Bridge (Easter Saturday at Broadhurst Park), and near-neighbours Ashton United (Easter Monday at Hurst Cross) are next to come.
Website man of the match: Curtis Jones. A captain’s performance from the Reds’ skipper, as he stood strong in defence, and looked to unleash the power of our young attacking forward line with a series of effective key passes during the match.
Report by Sam Turner
FC United enjoy narrow 1-0 victory at Morpeth Town
FC United of Manchester made it three wins in four league games on Saturday afternoon with a hard won 1-0 win away at Morpeth Town, courtesy of a second half goal by striker Max Cane.
The result keeps alive the Reds’ very slim outside chance of edging into the Pitching In Northern Premier Division play-offs. They are eight points away from the all-important fifth place with four games to go.
It was another encouraging performance from a new-look United side packed with young and talented players.
As the game kicked off, Morpeth - a side sitting just above the relegation zone, and in need of points - looked determined to take the game to the visitors, and for the opening 20 minutes The ‘Peth had much of the upper hand in the game.
The home side pressed hard for an opening goal, racking up four corners in the opening 18 minutes, and going close to opening the scoring no less than four times in the process.
A flurry of chances fell to Jack Foalle, Chris Reid and Ryan Donaldson, all of whom saw their shots sail over goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe’s crossbar from inside the area. This was followed soon after by defender Ben Sayer, who was unlucky to see a headed effort from close range deflect off the right hand post.
FC United weathered the early storm admirably and were soon crafting good opportunities of their own at the other end of the pitch. Keane Barugh forced a brace of fine stops from home keeper Daniel Lowson and, quickly after, Keegan Hartley went close with an inswinging effort that forced Lowson into another quick thinking save, just minutes before the two sides headed back to the dressing rooms for the halftime break.
If the first half had seemed a fairly even affair between the two teams, then the opening minutes of the second period had an entirely different complexion to them. The introduction of Adam Dodd in midfield, and academy graduate Sandro da Costa on the right wing, injected extra dynamism and attacking intent to the visitor’s play, and very quickly started to feel like a goal was coming for the Reds.
Sure enough, FC United soon took the lead through a well-crafted goal from Cane. The young striker took a ball in from Dodd on the edge of the penalty area, and with his back to goal, dexterously switched the ball from his right to left, pushing himself in a pocket of space past the defence in the process, before cutting a low shot past a prone Lowson and into the Morpeth net for 1-0.
FC now looked to be enjoying themselves, as they played the ball freely in attack, and went close to gaining a second through Luke Griffiths, who sent a shot just wide of goal. Soon afterwards, da Costa was unlucky not to cap a fine individual performance with a goal as he narrowly dragged a shot wide of the left post from inside the penalty area.
As the game wore on, the Reds were frustrated in their attempts to find a second goal of the afternoon. Midfielder Michael Potts headed just inches over the crossbar from a corner, and lively substitute Matt Van Wyk forced another athletic, fingertip save from Lowson in stoppage time.
The home side, for their part, fought hard for an equaliser, but never looked like having that killer touch in front of goal. Midfielder Matty Cornish found himself with two good opportunities late on, only to send a glancing header wide of the far post with his first effort, and then square a shot directly at Lavercombe with his second.
As the final whistle blew, the FC players and staff went over to applaud their hardy travelling supporters whilst reflecting on an excellent away win, played out with plenty of defensive grit and attacking verve.
The result means that FC United have now won away against all four sides heading north on the A1 corridor, following victories earlier on this season at Whitby Town, Marske United and South Shields, along a route that is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for the Reds.
It’s also a win which is testament to the excellent, recent rebuild of the squad spearheaded by Reds’ boss Neil Reynolds, as his side heads into the final games of this season. Games against high flying Bamber Bridge (Easter Saturday at Broadhurst Park), and near-neighbours Ashton United (Easter Monday at Hurst Cross) are next to come.
Website man of the match: Curtis Jones. A captain’s performance from the Reds’ skipper, as he stood strong in defence, and looked to unleash the power of our young attacking forward line with a series of effective key passes during the match.
Report by Sam Turner
