Match Report
FC United came from behind to gain a 1-1 draw at Rushall Olympic on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of Michael Norton, but a priceless second goal proved elusive for both sides.
The Reds levelled the scoring on 66 minutes after the Pics had gone ahead not long after the break. After seeing red in the FA Trophy midweek, Norton turned redeemer for this encounter, scoring United’s first ever goal in open play against Rushall and doubling their overall tally against the side.
The Reds pushed on for the winner in the second half, coming close but to no avail in their first league outing since 26th October.
In this the closest game to Armistice Day, a silence was observed prior to kick off on a chilly autumnal afternoon in the Midlands. A fairly even start to the game ensued with United trying to play in their own passing style along the ground whilst the home side seemed content with keeping the ball in the air.
Tricky forward Stanley Mugisha looked to be one of Rushall’s most likely creators on the deck and after good work down the right laid the ball off to Josh Craddock who drilled a low shot along the ground from 25 yards. Jon Worsnop had his right post covered as the attempt rolled wide.
The Reds looked to be on the verge of creating and Astley Mulholland, after a strong performance on Tuesday night, again showed his worth, doing well to bring the ball inside to Tom Greaves who after a goalmouth scramble couldn’t get the ball over the line.
Zak Martin had his name taken after a bad foul on Dean Stott, which left the FC United captain grounded. It seemed at least one United player would booked for the reaction that followed and Tom Davies was shown yellow for dissent.
Half chances fell for both sides towards the conclusion of the first period, including a couple of efforts from Mulholland; the first of which the forward tricked inside the defence and curled towards the top corner, safely into the hands of Chris Gemmell. Right-back Liam Brownhill also hit the bar directly from the corner spot with a couple of minutes of the half remaining.
United began the second period on the front foot but were caught on the break four minutes in and Kristian Ramsey-Dickson fired home with a good finish. To have to come from behind against a team who provide FC with little opportunity to play flowing football and on a poor surface seemed a fairly difficult task but United pressed on.
The management took the decision to replace Lee Neville with Lewis Lacy, a United centre half of last season who has now returned to the club. Brownhill shifted into the left back position and Lacy took up the right back mantle.
Having only ever scored a penalty against Rushall, there were claims for United to be given a chance to score again from the spot as Greg Daniels appeared to be brought down inside the area close to the dead ball line.
Instead, Daniels had to settle for the corner and almost provided an assist as Greaves was the second player to hit the woodwork, this time from a close range strike across the near post defender.
Just before the midpoint of the half, Greaves was integral to the United equaliser. The forward ran through and although being pulled back, the referee saw the advantage and Greaves threaded the ball through to Norton, who was making the run to his strike partner’s right. Norton looked up and completed the move with a fine shot past Gemmell.
The Reds injected a different attacking aspect, introducing Rhodri Giggs to proceedings in place of Daniels on 73 minutes. United also had to defend and Davies was responsible for cutting the ball out on the line as Rushall came close.
FC themselves had a good chance to go ahead just shy of 80 minutes as a free-kick was taken quickly to Greaves who laid it off to Mulholland. The ball came back to Greaves who fired at Gemmell, forcing a point-blank stop from the keeper.
All in all, a point on the road seems a good result as United had to significantly adapt their play against a side who although may not play the most attractive of football, use their strengths much to their advantage.
United’s next scheduled fixture is another detour from the league as they are due to face Ramsbottom down by the riverside in the league cup on Tuesday.
Report by Victoria Fullen.
Match Report
FC United came from behind to gain a 1-1 draw at Rushall Olympic on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of Michael Norton, but a priceless second goal proved elusive for both sides.
The Reds levelled the scoring on 66 minutes after the Pics had gone ahead not long after the break. After seeing red in the FA Trophy midweek, Norton turned redeemer for this encounter, scoring United’s first ever goal in open play against Rushall and doubling their overall tally against the side.
The Reds pushed on for the winner in the second half, coming close but to no avail in their first league outing since 26th October.
In this the closest game to Armistice Day, a silence was observed prior to kick off on a chilly autumnal afternoon in the Midlands. A fairly even start to the game ensued with United trying to play in their own passing style along the ground whilst the home side seemed content with keeping the ball in the air.
Tricky forward Stanley Mugisha looked to be one of Rushall’s most likely creators on the deck and after good work down the right laid the ball off to Josh Craddock who drilled a low shot along the ground from 25 yards. Jon Worsnop had his right post covered as the attempt rolled wide.
The Reds looked to be on the verge of creating and Astley Mulholland, after a strong performance on Tuesday night, again showed his worth, doing well to bring the ball inside to Tom Greaves who after a goalmouth scramble couldn’t get the ball over the line.
Zak Martin had his name taken after a bad foul on Dean Stott, which left the FC United captain grounded. It seemed at least one United player would booked for the reaction that followed and Tom Davies was shown yellow for dissent.
Half chances fell for both sides towards the conclusion of the first period, including a couple of efforts from Mulholland; the first of which the forward tricked inside the defence and curled towards the top corner, safely into the hands of Chris Gemmell. Right-back Liam Brownhill also hit the bar directly from the corner spot with a couple of minutes of the half remaining.
United began the second period on the front foot but were caught on the break four minutes in and Kristian Ramsey-Dickson fired home with a good finish. To have to come from behind against a team who provide FC with little opportunity to play flowing football and on a poor surface seemed a fairly difficult task but United pressed on.
The management took the decision to replace Lee Neville with Lewis Lacy, a United centre half of last season who has now returned to the club. Brownhill shifted into the left back position and Lacy took up the right back mantle.
Having only ever scored a penalty against Rushall, there were claims for United to be given a chance to score again from the spot as Greg Daniels appeared to be brought down inside the area close to the dead ball line.
Instead, Daniels had to settle for the corner and almost provided an assist as Greaves was the second player to hit the woodwork, this time from a close range strike across the near post defender.
Just before the midpoint of the half, Greaves was integral to the United equaliser. The forward ran through and although being pulled back, the referee saw the advantage and Greaves threaded the ball through to Norton, who was making the run to his strike partner’s right. Norton looked up and completed the move with a fine shot past Gemmell.
The Reds injected a different attacking aspect, introducing Rhodri Giggs to proceedings in place of Daniels on 73 minutes. United also had to defend and Davies was responsible for cutting the ball out on the line as Rushall came close.
FC themselves had a good chance to go ahead just shy of 80 minutes as a free-kick was taken quickly to Greaves who laid it off to Mulholland. The ball came back to Greaves who fired at Gemmell, forcing a point-blank stop from the keeper.
All in all, a point on the road seems a good result as United had to significantly adapt their play against a side who although may not play the most attractive of football, use their strengths much to their advantage.
United’s next scheduled fixture is another detour from the league as they are due to face Ramsbottom down by the riverside in the league cup on Tuesday.
Report by Victoria Fullen.
