FC move up to second with 12th consecutive win +HIGHLIGHTS

FC United moved up to second place in the race for the Evo-Stik Premier Division title by beating Blyth Spartans 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, Matthew Wolfenden scoring a second half winner.

With league leaders Chorley winning by an incredible scoreline of 13-1 at home to relegated Droylsden, it was vital that the Reds kept up with the pace and bagged three points.

Karl Marginson’s side did exactly that. Wolfenden drilled home the all important goal 20 minutes into the second half with a composed finish from just inside the box. Due to Worksop losing 3-1 at home to Rushall, the result moves the Reds into second place - three points behind Chorley with a game in hand.

Taking current standings into account, Tuesday’s top of the table clash against The Magpies at Gigg Lane is one of the biggest in FC United’s nine year history. The title won’t be won there and then but a victory for either side will go some way to deciding the final outcome of the season.

Saturday’s trip to Northumbria was always going to be a tough and close encounter against the play-off chasing Spartans and so it proved with goal scoring chances at a premium throughout a scrappy and tense affair.

Despite not playing their best football, FC United stuck to their task and created one superb chance, which was finished with aplomb, when Wolfenden scampered onto a long goal-kick from goalkeeper Dave Carnell. The former Oldham Athletic forward was coolness personified as he took the bouncing ball in his stride and slotted it beyond the advancing goalkeeper, Conor Grant and into the far corner.

The goal sent the several hundred strong travelling red army wild on the terraces and it proved to be the priceless match winner. Breaking the deadlock allowed United to settle into a more fluid passing game and the Reds controlled large spells of the remaining 25 minutes. It looked like they might get a second to settle the nerves but the best they could manage was a few goalmouth scrambles without forcing Grant into a save.

The two other best chances of the game fell to the hosts as they desperately tried to conjure up an equaliser. With 20 minutes to go Robbie Dale headed onto the roof of the net leaving Carnell looking stranded following a corner but later the Reds goalkeeper became the hero.

Three minutes into stoppage time, a free-kick by Damen Mullen was met by the head of Danny Parker, who had one last gasp chance to gain a draw, but Carnell got down well to make a good save at the foot of his post.

It was a vital stop as FC United secured another three points on our quest for promotion to the Conference North. With six games to go, the Reds just need to keep on winning to secure the title or, at the very least, second place and home advantage in the play-offs.

Man of the match: Matthew Wolfenden. As the title race looks like it could go to the wire, FC United will need calmness under pressure. Wolfenden’s finish was exactly that, so he scoops this weekend’s award.

Report by Matthew Haley