FC United slip to narrow defeat at Stafford Rangers
FC United of Manchester slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,349 supporters, the biggest crowd seen at the home side's ground in six years.
An Alex Kiwomya goal in the 33rd minute was enough to settle the game in Rangers' favour, and inflict a third successive defeat on FC United in seven days. The three league points earned by Stafford meant that they leap-frogged FC United into 10th place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, with the Reds sliding down to eleventh in the division in return.
On a brighter note, a familiar face for many FC fans lined up in goal for the home side – Cameron Belford, a popular figure who notched up 20 appearances for FC United between during the 2019/20 season.
He was kept busy during the opening exchanges of the game, as FC made the most of the blustery wind blowing in their direction. The away side worked the wings, and played a series of long balls towards centre forward Regan Linney in search of chances on goal.
Sure enough, early opportunities followed, with Linney seeing a goalbound effort blocked by defender Tom Tonks on its route to goal. A little later into proceedings, Connor Stanley latched onto a long ball, and flashed a shot across goal only for Belford to make himself big and stop the effort with an outstretched calf.
With United looking comfortable in possession, and Stafford working hard to repel the away side's advances, it was quite against the run of play when the home side took the lead with only their second meaningful attack on goal.
Midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey hit a long, searching ball over the heads of the FC United defence and out towards the left wing, where it found the feet of Ethan Morgan. The Port Vale loanee broke at the United penalty area and let loose with a shot across goal, saved well by the left hand of Lavercombe, finding the keeper at full stretch.
Unfortunately, the ball fell into the path of Kiwomya on the right hand side of the box, and he finished emphatically into the net to give his side the lead. United pushed forward in search of an equaliser and came close towards the end of the half.
Stafford's two centre-backs seemed to have worked out that, if they subdued Linney in front of goal, they would cut off much chance of any equalising threat. For the remainder of the half, the FC forward line only came to life when Linney had a foil to play off in attack.
Winger Callum Gribbin enjoyed what was possibly FC's best chance to square things from a dangerous ball played into the box from Michael Donohue, but only managed to send his shot wide of goal.
After the restart, Stafford looked hungry for a second and very nearly doubled their lead in the 50th minute, when Jack Baxter found himself with clear sight of goal on the edge of the area but lifted the ball harmlessly over the bar.
In response, three minutes later at the other end, Linney whipped in a testing ball from the right wing where it found Donohue, who was desperately unlucky not to get any requisite power behind the ball, instead heading a tame effort bouncing off the ground, where it was comfortably gathered up by Belford.
Following another good spell of play for the hosts, United suddenly grew into the game, with their mood noticeably buoyed by attacking towards FC fans gathered in the terraced 'Shed End' of Stafford's Marston Road ground.
A good run of pressure by the visitors was roared on by the ever-voluble away support, and The Reds' seemed sure to get an equaliser when Linney teamed up well with Donohue, only for the forward to have a close-range effort for Linney denied by the outstretched body of Belford at close range.
Late substitutes Jack Rodwell-Grant and Dontai Gabidon added some much-needed dynamism and physicality to United's forward line. With hope and expectation growing on and off the field for the away team, a good chance came for United in the 83rd minute when, following more good link up play with Donohue, Linney slid a ball into the danger area of Stafford's box and into the path of Gabidon, with Belford bravely rushing out of goal and rescue the ball from the young forward's feet.
Just moments later, Rodwell Grant was desperately unlucky to send an effort high and wide of the goal following a low cross into the box from Finlay Armstrong.
As Stafford celebrated a big home win, FC United were left to reflect on the fallout from a trying week of competitive football.
After the match, Reds' boss Neil Reynolds said: “It's hard, we're all feeling it. These lads are desperate to do well for the football club, but I want us to be more ruthless and say that we don't capitulate, that we don't get beaten.
“The main thing for me is keeping the boys’ heads up and keeping them positive. They're too good to not turn it around. I'll be doing my bit to prepare them for Belper Town on Saturday afternoon.”
Man of the Match: Michael Donohue. A solid presence in midfield and going forward. His creativity and link up play kept hopes of a result alive for the away side.
Report by Sam Turner
FC United slip to narrow defeat at Stafford Rangers
FC United of Manchester slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,349 supporters, the biggest crowd seen at the home side's ground in six years.
An Alex Kiwomya goal in the 33rd minute was enough to settle the game in Rangers' favour, and inflict a third successive defeat on FC United in seven days. The three league points earned by Stafford meant that they leap-frogged FC United into 10th place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, with the Reds sliding down to eleventh in the division in return.
On a brighter note, a familiar face for many FC fans lined up in goal for the home side – Cameron Belford, a popular figure who notched up 20 appearances for FC United between during the 2019/20 season.
He was kept busy during the opening exchanges of the game, as FC made the most of the blustery wind blowing in their direction. The away side worked the wings, and played a series of long balls towards centre forward Regan Linney in search of chances on goal.
Sure enough, early opportunities followed, with Linney seeing a goalbound effort blocked by defender Tom Tonks on its route to goal. A little later into proceedings, Connor Stanley latched onto a long ball, and flashed a shot across goal only for Belford to make himself big and stop the effort with an outstretched calf.
With United looking comfortable in possession, and Stafford working hard to repel the away side's advances, it was quite against the run of play when the home side took the lead with only their second meaningful attack on goal.
Midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey hit a long, searching ball over the heads of the FC United defence and out towards the left wing, where it found the feet of Ethan Morgan. The Port Vale loanee broke at the United penalty area and let loose with a shot across goal, saved well by the left hand of Lavercombe, finding the keeper at full stretch.
Unfortunately, the ball fell into the path of Kiwomya on the right hand side of the box, and he finished emphatically into the net to give his side the lead. United pushed forward in search of an equaliser and came close towards the end of the half.
Stafford's two centre-backs seemed to have worked out that, if they subdued Linney in front of goal, they would cut off much chance of any equalising threat. For the remainder of the half, the FC forward line only came to life when Linney had a foil to play off in attack.
Winger Callum Gribbin enjoyed what was possibly FC's best chance to square things from a dangerous ball played into the box from Michael Donohue, but only managed to send his shot wide of goal.
After the restart, Stafford looked hungry for a second and very nearly doubled their lead in the 50th minute, when Jack Baxter found himself with clear sight of goal on the edge of the area but lifted the ball harmlessly over the bar.
In response, three minutes later at the other end, Linney whipped in a testing ball from the right wing where it found Donohue, who was desperately unlucky not to get any requisite power behind the ball, instead heading a tame effort bouncing off the ground, where it was comfortably gathered up by Belford.
Following another good spell of play for the hosts, United suddenly grew into the game, with their mood noticeably buoyed by attacking towards FC fans gathered in the terraced 'Shed End' of Stafford's Marston Road ground.
A good run of pressure by the visitors was roared on by the ever-voluble away support, and The Reds' seemed sure to get an equaliser when Linney teamed up well with Donohue, only for the forward to have a close-range effort for Linney denied by the outstretched body of Belford at close range.
Late substitutes Jack Rodwell-Grant and Dontai Gabidon added some much-needed dynamism and physicality to United's forward line. With hope and expectation growing on and off the field for the away team, a good chance came for United in the 83rd minute when, following more good link up play with Donohue, Linney slid a ball into the danger area of Stafford's box and into the path of Gabidon, with Belford bravely rushing out of goal and rescue the ball from the young forward's feet.
Just moments later, Rodwell Grant was desperately unlucky to send an effort high and wide of the goal following a low cross into the box from Finlay Armstrong.
As Stafford celebrated a big home win, FC United were left to reflect on the fallout from a trying week of competitive football.
After the match, Reds' boss Neil Reynolds said: “It's hard, we're all feeling it. These lads are desperate to do well for the football club, but I want us to be more ruthless and say that we don't capitulate, that we don't get beaten.
“The main thing for me is keeping the boys’ heads up and keeping them positive. They're too good to not turn it around. I'll be doing my bit to prepare them for Belper Town on Saturday afternoon.”
Man of the Match: Michael Donohue. A solid presence in midfield and going forward. His creativity and link up play kept hopes of a result alive for the away side.
Report by Sam Turner
