Bank Holiday bonanza as FC United win at York City
FC United made it a Bank Holiday weekend to remember with a fantastic 2-0 victory at 10 man York City on Monday afternoon with late goals from substitute Tom Greaves and Jason Gilchrist.
The Reds started the weekend rooted to the bottom of the Vanarama National League North but two wins in three days lifted Karl Marginson’s side up to 16th to create a renewed sense of positivity around the club.
The visitors were on the back foot, but never outclassed, for large spells of the first half in front of 3,411 supporters at Boothman Crescent. However, when the Minstermen midfielder Simon Heslop was sent off for a second bookable offence just after the hour, the Reds got on top of the game.
With 12 minutes to go, the unmarked Greaves slotted home a close range rebound after Gilchrist had his shot saved by former FC United goalkeeper Jon Worsnop. The 570 or so travelling Red Army went wild.
York hit both posts in the second half and will feel they deserved a share of the spoils. But football can be a cruel game of fine margins. Whilst the hosts struck the woodwork, the Reds hit the back of the net again. Gilchrist doubled the lead in stoppage time, firing home from the edge of the box, via a deflection.
York, relegated from the Vanarama National League last season, have made a solid start to the season and were unbeaten in their last five. The hosts took the game to United but failed to create any completely clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes.
Centre-backs Matty Hughes and Jordan Fagbola were in fine form and goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson comfortably dealt with everything he was called upon to do. Despite York’s dominance, it was FC United that had the best chance of the first half. Gilchrist was unfortunate to see his shot cleared off the line on the half hour mark after doing well to beat Worsnop.
The closest the Minstermen came in the first period was five minutes before the break when Jon Parkin nearly bundled the ball over the line at the back post but Allinson blocked well.
Into the second half and York captain Sean Newton struck the post. There was a growing sense of inevitability that York would take the lead. However, FC United’s players had other ideas and bodies were being thrown in the way to thwart the hosts at every opportunity.
When Heslop needlessly tripped Nathan Lowe with a reckless lunge to receive his marching orders, FC United were given a welcome boost. Moments later, Lowe curled a dangerous free-kick over the cross bar as the Reds - playing in white – showed a warning of what was soon to come.
However, before the deadlock was broken, York produced two more scares. Substitute Michael Rankine hit the post and Hughes had to block a goalbound shot after Allinson controversially had the ball stolen from him as he prepared to kick it out of his hands.
With the Reds living a charmed life, they turned defence into attack. Substitute James Hooper calmly carried the ball up field and played in Gilchrist one-on-one with Worksnop. The keeper made a good save but Greaves had crept into the box unmarked and he slotted home to snatch an unlikely lead.
York piled forward in search of any equaliser for the last 10 minutes but FC United held firm. Worsnop did well to stop Greaves getting on the scoresheet again in stoppage time but from the resulting corner Gilchrist took down the ball well and rifled it home off a defender for 2-0. FC United had pulled off a fantastic and well-earned backs against the walls victories.
Website man of the match: Lots of contenders but the award goes to Matty Hughes for an all conquering display in the heart of FC United’s defence. Time and time again, Hughes threw his body on the line to ensure the Reds earned a cleansheet.
Report by Matthew Haley
Bank Holiday bonanza as FC United win at York City
FC United made it a Bank Holiday weekend to remember with a fantastic 2-0 victory at 10 man York City on Monday afternoon with late goals from substitute Tom Greaves and Jason Gilchrist.
The Reds started the weekend rooted to the bottom of the Vanarama National League North but two wins in three days lifted Karl Marginson’s side up to 16th to create a renewed sense of positivity around the club.
The visitors were on the back foot, but never outclassed, for large spells of the first half in front of 3,411 supporters at Boothman Crescent. However, when the Minstermen midfielder Simon Heslop was sent off for a second bookable offence just after the hour, the Reds got on top of the game.
With 12 minutes to go, the unmarked Greaves slotted home a close range rebound after Gilchrist had his shot saved by former FC United goalkeeper Jon Worsnop. The 570 or so travelling Red Army went wild.
York hit both posts in the second half and will feel they deserved a share of the spoils. But football can be a cruel game of fine margins. Whilst the hosts struck the woodwork, the Reds hit the back of the net again. Gilchrist doubled the lead in stoppage time, firing home from the edge of the box, via a deflection.
York, relegated from the Vanarama National League last season, have made a solid start to the season and were unbeaten in their last five. The hosts took the game to United but failed to create any completely clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes.
Centre-backs Matty Hughes and Jordan Fagbola were in fine form and goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson comfortably dealt with everything he was called upon to do. Despite York’s dominance, it was FC United that had the best chance of the first half. Gilchrist was unfortunate to see his shot cleared off the line on the half hour mark after doing well to beat Worsnop.
The closest the Minstermen came in the first period was five minutes before the break when Jon Parkin nearly bundled the ball over the line at the back post but Allinson blocked well.
Into the second half and York captain Sean Newton struck the post. There was a growing sense of inevitability that York would take the lead. However, FC United’s players had other ideas and bodies were being thrown in the way to thwart the hosts at every opportunity.
When Heslop needlessly tripped Nathan Lowe with a reckless lunge to receive his marching orders, FC United were given a welcome boost. Moments later, Lowe curled a dangerous free-kick over the cross bar as the Reds - playing in white – showed a warning of what was soon to come.
However, before the deadlock was broken, York produced two more scares. Substitute Michael Rankine hit the post and Hughes had to block a goalbound shot after Allinson controversially had the ball stolen from him as he prepared to kick it out of his hands.
With the Reds living a charmed life, they turned defence into attack. Substitute James Hooper calmly carried the ball up field and played in Gilchrist one-on-one with Worksnop. The keeper made a good save but Greaves had crept into the box unmarked and he slotted home to snatch an unlikely lead.
York piled forward in search of any equaliser for the last 10 minutes but FC United held firm. Worsnop did well to stop Greaves getting on the scoresheet again in stoppage time but from the resulting corner Gilchrist took down the ball well and rifled it home off a defender for 2-0. FC United had pulled off a fantastic and well-earned backs against the walls victories.
Website man of the match: Lots of contenders but the award goes to Matty Hughes for an all conquering display in the heart of FC United’s defence. Time and time again, Hughes threw his body on the line to ensure the Reds earned a cleansheet.
Report by Matthew Haley
