Match Report
FC United gained a hard fought 1-1 draw against Witton Albion on Bank Holiday Monday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
A Nicky Platt header put the dominant Reds in front midway through the first half but, in a classic game of two-halves, the hosts scored a well deserved equaliser 10 minutes after the break to claim a fair result.
It was the Reds who started brighter and had much of the early possession without actually creating any chances, the first of which fell to the home side as Shaun Tuck fired over the bar on 20 minutes.
Six minutes later, FC took the lead when a great ball from midfield set Stephen Johnson free on the right. His superb cross found Platt whose diving header bounced into the corner of the net.
A minute later, Rory Fallon, who played a pre-season game for FC United, tested goalkeeper James Spencer with a shot but he was equal to it.
On 37 minutes, Witton were awarded a penalty when Mathew Wood was released on the left. He fired a shot wide but was caught late by Kyle Jacobs and the official pointed to the spot. Anthony Gardner took the kick but Spencer was equal to it, tipping the ball onto the bar.
A minute into the second half and it was Platt who should have extended the Reds’ lead, when a ball over to the left found Lee Neville who crossed to Platt, sadly he sidefooted the ball wide.
Witton were seeing much more of the ball in the second half and it was no surprise when they equalised. The FC United defence switched off at a corner which was played short. From the cross Ben Harrison planted a free header past Spencer to level the scores.
The goal produced a mad few minutes around the FC United goal, Dean Stott hesitated to allow his namesake Ashley Stott in, Spencer did well to smother the ball, when the ball was returned back in, Daniel Andrews shot wide.
Ashley Stott was again close just after the hour mark, his shot tipped wide by Spencer. Spencer was to the rescue again a few minutes later when he pushed wide a deflected shot from Gardner.
The game was headed for a well fought out draw but there was time for drama at both ends. With two minutes to go, Witton thought they had snatched it when they found the net, only for the linesman to flag for offside.
A minute later, FC looked to have grabbed the points when a Jake Cottrell shot beat the keeper but slammed against the foot of the post and the ball was cleared.
And there was controversy right at the death with a strong penalty shout for the hosts. A cross from Witton was headed goalwards and struck the hand of substitute Matthew Wolfenden. Despite the claims from the home players and fans packed behind the goal, a corner was all that was awarded.
Man of the match: Adam Jones- Just pips Spencer to the award as he was a calming head in the second half when many around seemed to be losing theirs.
Report by Steve Wood
Match Report
FC United gained a hard fought 1-1 draw against Witton Albion on Bank Holiday Monday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
A Nicky Platt header put the dominant Reds in front midway through the first half but, in a classic game of two-halves, the hosts scored a well deserved equaliser 10 minutes after the break to claim a fair result.
It was the Reds who started brighter and had much of the early possession without actually creating any chances, the first of which fell to the home side as Shaun Tuck fired over the bar on 20 minutes.
Six minutes later, FC took the lead when a great ball from midfield set Stephen Johnson free on the right. His superb cross found Platt whose diving header bounced into the corner of the net.
A minute later, Rory Fallon, who played a pre-season game for FC United, tested goalkeeper James Spencer with a shot but he was equal to it.
On 37 minutes, Witton were awarded a penalty when Mathew Wood was released on the left. He fired a shot wide but was caught late by Kyle Jacobs and the official pointed to the spot. Anthony Gardner took the kick but Spencer was equal to it, tipping the ball onto the bar.
A minute into the second half and it was Platt who should have extended the Reds’ lead, when a ball over to the left found Lee Neville who crossed to Platt, sadly he sidefooted the ball wide.
Witton were seeing much more of the ball in the second half and it was no surprise when they equalised. The FC United defence switched off at a corner which was played short. From the cross Ben Harrison planted a free header past Spencer to level the scores.
The goal produced a mad few minutes around the FC United goal, Dean Stott hesitated to allow his namesake Ashley Stott in, Spencer did well to smother the ball, when the ball was returned back in, Daniel Andrews shot wide.
Ashley Stott was again close just after the hour mark, his shot tipped wide by Spencer. Spencer was to the rescue again a few minutes later when he pushed wide a deflected shot from Gardner.
The game was headed for a well fought out draw but there was time for drama at both ends. With two minutes to go, Witton thought they had snatched it when they found the net, only for the linesman to flag for offside.
A minute later, FC looked to have grabbed the points when a Jake Cottrell shot beat the keeper but slammed against the foot of the post and the ball was cleared.
And there was controversy right at the death with a strong penalty shout for the hosts. A cross from Witton was headed goalwards and struck the hand of substitute Matthew Wolfenden. Despite the claims from the home players and fans packed behind the goal, a corner was all that was awarded.
Man of the match: Adam Jones- Just pips Spencer to the award as he was a calming head in the second half when many around seemed to be losing theirs.
Report by Steve Wood
