Match Report
FC United crashed out of the League Challenge Cup 3-0 at Woodley Sports on Tuesday night as the Reds’ young side couldn’t compete with the UniBond Division One North outfit.
A brace from Paul Collins and one from Gavin Salmon eased the hosts into the next round as injuries and illness forced FC United manager Karl Marginson to give a testing run out to a number of youth team players and a few older heads including player-coach Darren Lyons.
Salmon broke the deadlock after half an hour, Collins added another eight minutes later before sealing victory by putting a penalty past debutant goalkeeper Grant Shenton in the 61st minute.
Shenton was put to the test early in his debut when he made an excellent one handed save in the first five minutes. Woodley captain Sam Walker hit a shot from 25 yards out and the FC keeper acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.
Pressure around the United goal became a recurring pattern as the half went on as Woodley offered headers on target and continued to hassle the Reds’ defence. Shenton was tested again on 20 minutes when Woodley were awarded a free kick 35 yards out. Walker hit the shot low and hard and Shenton did well to get down to his right hand post to make the save.
For all his hard work in the opening stages, it was unfortunately ultimately the fault of Shenton that Woodley scored their first goal on the half hour mark. A poor kick out from the keeper was collected by Woodley and as Shenton failed to get back in time, the FC number one could only look on as Salmon slotted the ball over the line.
The home side added to their lead eight minutes later courtesy of Collins. The United defence was left wide open and the Woodley number 11 was able to run through the Reds’ back line to hit his shot low into the bottom right hand corner.
As the half drew to a close, the Reds continued to have limited possession and struggled to get the ball out of their own half, resulting in Margy’s men going in at the break trailing two - nil.
United made a change for the second half proceedings as Jamie Mack replaced Sam Freakes in the midfield. Papis Dieyte offered a chance for FC as he drove a shot across the face of the Woodley goal from the left. Unfortunately for the Reds, no one was on hand to put the ball in the back of the net.
Carlos Roca presented a further chance for United, sending a header just wide following a cross from Tommy Turner, who was making his second appearance for the club.
Despite a marked improvement from United, Woodley looked set to add to their score line and should have done 15 minutes into the second half following a one-on-one with the keeper. Salmon received the ball from the midfield and should have sent the ball into the net, but instead put his shot just inches wide of Shenton’s left hand post.
Woodley continued to go forward and it was evident that the Reds were struggling to judge the bounce of the ball on the unfamiliar artificial surface. With around half an hour to go, John Buckley and Shaun Connor were given a chance when they replaced Chris Baguley and Papis Dieyte.
Just minutes later, Woodley put the game beyond doubt when Collins slotted a penalty past Shenton. United’s Adam Turner tripped the Woodley player in the box and Collins stepped up to the mark to send the ball over the line as Shenton dived the wrong way.
Roca and Robinson proved influential in attacking opportunities for the Reds but cruising on a three - nil lead, Woodley continued to pressure the FC goal. Shenton added to string of good saves as the ball came across for a header on goal. The debutant FC keeper stopped the initial attempt on goal and then made a second save from Paul Collin’s rebound shot.
As the full time whistle blew, United exited the League Challenge Cup with a disappointing result as they struggled with a team decimated by injury and illness. The positives United take from the game were an excellent debut performance from Shenton in goal and the undoubted experience many of the youngsters will have gained. The Reds will be hoping for key players to be back to full health for Saturday’s away clash with Eastwood Town.
Report by Vic Fullen.
Match Report
FC United crashed out of the League Challenge Cup 3-0 at Woodley Sports on Tuesday night as the Reds’ young side couldn’t compete with the UniBond Division One North outfit.
A brace from Paul Collins and one from Gavin Salmon eased the hosts into the next round as injuries and illness forced FC United manager Karl Marginson to give a testing run out to a number of youth team players and a few older heads including player-coach Darren Lyons.
Salmon broke the deadlock after half an hour, Collins added another eight minutes later before sealing victory by putting a penalty past debutant goalkeeper Grant Shenton in the 61st minute.
Shenton was put to the test early in his debut when he made an excellent one handed save in the first five minutes. Woodley captain Sam Walker hit a shot from 25 yards out and the FC keeper acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.
Pressure around the United goal became a recurring pattern as the half went on as Woodley offered headers on target and continued to hassle the Reds’ defence. Shenton was tested again on 20 minutes when Woodley were awarded a free kick 35 yards out. Walker hit the shot low and hard and Shenton did well to get down to his right hand post to make the save.
For all his hard work in the opening stages, it was unfortunately ultimately the fault of Shenton that Woodley scored their first goal on the half hour mark. A poor kick out from the keeper was collected by Woodley and as Shenton failed to get back in time, the FC number one could only look on as Salmon slotted the ball over the line.
The home side added to their lead eight minutes later courtesy of Collins. The United defence was left wide open and the Woodley number 11 was able to run through the Reds’ back line to hit his shot low into the bottom right hand corner.
As the half drew to a close, the Reds continued to have limited possession and struggled to get the ball out of their own half, resulting in Margy’s men going in at the break trailing two - nil.
United made a change for the second half proceedings as Jamie Mack replaced Sam Freakes in the midfield. Papis Dieyte offered a chance for FC as he drove a shot across the face of the Woodley goal from the left. Unfortunately for the Reds, no one was on hand to put the ball in the back of the net.
Carlos Roca presented a further chance for United, sending a header just wide following a cross from Tommy Turner, who was making his second appearance for the club.
Despite a marked improvement from United, Woodley looked set to add to their score line and should have done 15 minutes into the second half following a one-on-one with the keeper. Salmon received the ball from the midfield and should have sent the ball into the net, but instead put his shot just inches wide of Shenton’s left hand post.
Woodley continued to go forward and it was evident that the Reds were struggling to judge the bounce of the ball on the unfamiliar artificial surface. With around half an hour to go, John Buckley and Shaun Connor were given a chance when they replaced Chris Baguley and Papis Dieyte.
Just minutes later, Woodley put the game beyond doubt when Collins slotted a penalty past Shenton. United’s Adam Turner tripped the Woodley player in the box and Collins stepped up to the mark to send the ball over the line as Shenton dived the wrong way.
Roca and Robinson proved influential in attacking opportunities for the Reds but cruising on a three - nil lead, Woodley continued to pressure the FC goal. Shenton added to string of good saves as the ball came across for a header on goal. The debutant FC keeper stopped the initial attempt on goal and then made a second save from Paul Collin’s rebound shot.
As the full time whistle blew, United exited the League Challenge Cup with a disappointing result as they struggled with a team decimated by injury and illness. The positives United take from the game were an excellent debut performance from Shenton in goal and the undoubted experience many of the youngsters will have gained. The Reds will be hoping for key players to be back to full health for Saturday’s away clash with Eastwood Town.
Report by Vic Fullen.
