Match Report
FC United are through to the quarter-finals of the Doodson Sport Cup for the first time following a hard fought 2-1 win at Ossett Town on Tuesday night with goals from Rhodri Giggs, who was later sent off, and Michael Norton.
The Reds came back after going 1-0 down inside the first five minutes and had to battle through the entire second half with ten men as Giggs was dismissed for his part in a scuffle moments after the half-time whistle.
The hosts raced into an early lead courtesy of Keir Hannity but Giggs equalised in the 18th minute with a lovely finish, before being dismissed, and substitute Norton headed home the winner with 25 minutes to go.
Other than the red card, the only downside on an otherwise successfully night was an injury to centre-back Charlie Raglan, although this was tempered slightly by the return of Jerome Wright, who has been out for three months with a broken arm. Wright came off the bench to fill in at full-back with Lee Neville moving to centre-half and we await news on Raglan’s injury.
After going a goal down, FC United dominated the first half with great possession and pressure coming from the Reds. In particular; Matthew Walwyn and Giggs were looking the most dangerous options from either flank.
The Reds had a string of half chances, with Tom Greaves testing the opposition goalkeeper before United hit the bar, edging close with every opportunity to levelling the scores.
The scores were eventually levelled through Giggs, who showed great composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner from the right hand side of the box, to give United the goal that their pressure deserved.
Despite controlling the play for the remainder of the half, United couldn’t find another goal, and things took a twist after the half time whistle as Giggs was sent off for his part in a scuffle between the two sets of players.
Because the Reds found themselves down to ten men for the second half, manager Karl Marginson decided to shuffle the pack and brought on Norton for Walwyn, putting Norton up front alongside Greaves looking for the goal which would push United in front.
Playing the two up front meant a change of style as United now had nobody on the flanks. The balls down the middle seemed to be the best option with the two front men giving the home defence problems.
Greaves had two great chances, which he carved out for himself, from the left hand side of the box putting the ball just wide of the far post on both occasions.
But it was Norton who got the winner. Greg Daniels beat two defenders out on the right before floating the ball onto Norton’s head at the far post, and Norton did the rest.
After pushing hard for the lead, United seemed to relax a little and invited pressure from the home team, who desperately pushed on for an equalising goal. However, Ossett were denied on several occasions by David Carnell, making his second appearance in the FC United goal, who made several good saves and clearances to ensure United a safe passage through to the quarter-finals.
Man of the match: David Carnell - pulled off several good stops and clearances in the second half to put United through.
Report by Craig Phillips
Match Report
FC United are through to the quarter-finals of the Doodson Sport Cup for the first time following a hard fought 2-1 win at Ossett Town on Tuesday night with goals from Rhodri Giggs, who was later sent off, and Michael Norton.
The Reds came back after going 1-0 down inside the first five minutes and had to battle through the entire second half with ten men as Giggs was dismissed for his part in a scuffle moments after the half-time whistle.
The hosts raced into an early lead courtesy of Keir Hannity but Giggs equalised in the 18th minute with a lovely finish, before being dismissed, and substitute Norton headed home the winner with 25 minutes to go.
Other than the red card, the only downside on an otherwise successfully night was an injury to centre-back Charlie Raglan, although this was tempered slightly by the return of Jerome Wright, who has been out for three months with a broken arm. Wright came off the bench to fill in at full-back with Lee Neville moving to centre-half and we await news on Raglan’s injury.
After going a goal down, FC United dominated the first half with great possession and pressure coming from the Reds. In particular; Matthew Walwyn and Giggs were looking the most dangerous options from either flank.
The Reds had a string of half chances, with Tom Greaves testing the opposition goalkeeper before United hit the bar, edging close with every opportunity to levelling the scores.
The scores were eventually levelled through Giggs, who showed great composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner from the right hand side of the box, to give United the goal that their pressure deserved.
Despite controlling the play for the remainder of the half, United couldn’t find another goal, and things took a twist after the half time whistle as Giggs was sent off for his part in a scuffle between the two sets of players.
Because the Reds found themselves down to ten men for the second half, manager Karl Marginson decided to shuffle the pack and brought on Norton for Walwyn, putting Norton up front alongside Greaves looking for the goal which would push United in front.
Playing the two up front meant a change of style as United now had nobody on the flanks. The balls down the middle seemed to be the best option with the two front men giving the home defence problems.
Greaves had two great chances, which he carved out for himself, from the left hand side of the box putting the ball just wide of the far post on both occasions.
But it was Norton who got the winner. Greg Daniels beat two defenders out on the right before floating the ball onto Norton’s head at the far post, and Norton did the rest.
After pushing hard for the lead, United seemed to relax a little and invited pressure from the home team, who desperately pushed on for an equalising goal. However, Ossett were denied on several occasions by David Carnell, making his second appearance in the FC United goal, who made several good saves and clearances to ensure United a safe passage through to the quarter-finals.
Man of the match: David Carnell - pulled off several good stops and clearances in the second half to put United through.
Report by Craig Phillips
