FC United bow out of cup at Frickley - full report
FC United were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the Doodson Sport Cup 3-1 on Tuesday night at Frickley Athletic.
United threw away an early lead via a Michael Norton strike by gifting the West Yorkshire hosts two goals in a poor five minute spell just before half-time. Frickley then made it three midway through the second half and despite some huffing and puffing by the Reds towards the end, they didn’t really look like getting back on level terms.
United started brightly with Kyle Jacobs working himself an opening and shooting, bringing out a low save from goalkeeper Stephen Dickenson. On seven minutes, the deadlock was broken when a Jake Cottrell cross from the left was met with an overhead kick from Norton which bobbled into the net, more off Norton’s shin than anything else but they all count.
Five minutes later, Cottrell had a good chance when played in by Adam Jones but he found Dickinson was up to the task of keeping the ball out. Jones himself came close but his scuffed shot rolled into the arms of the keeper. Carlos Roca also came close when his shot was palmed out by Dickinson.
Five minutes before half time, the home side drew level when a long ball to Kelvin Bleau found the FC United defence standing still and all Bleau had to do was lob the ball over the stranded James Spencer for the equaliser. Worse was to follow three minutes later when Stuart Ludlam powered in a free header from a corner from the left to give Frickley a 2-1 lead.
Just after the break, FC had a great chance to equalise when Matthew Wolfenden worked himself free and hit a powerful shot against the post.
But the game was won with 20 minutes to go when United centre-half Greg Stones lost control of the ball to Danny Walsh who fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
There was a slight flurry of chances for FC late on when a Stones cross was palmed out to Wolfenden who saw his goalbound shot blocked and Stones fired the ball goalwards only to see it tipped over by Dickinson.
Overall, it was a strangely disjointed performance from FC United, despite dominating possession there was a lack of clear chances and three lapses in defence saw the campaign to win the Doodson Sport Cup come to an end.
The Reds will be hoping for much better when they get back to league action this Saturday at Gigg Lane and they will have chance of immediate revenge because the visitors are Frickley.
Website man of the match: Matthew Wolfenden - Was the busiest player in a generally lacklustre performance and was unlucky not to get FC United back in the game when hitting the post.
Report by Steven Wood
United threw away an early lead via a Michael Norton strike by gifting the West Yorkshire hosts two goals in a poor five minute spell just before half-time. Frickley then made it three midway through the second half and despite some huffing and puffing by the Reds towards the end, they didn’t really look like getting back on level terms.
United started brightly with Kyle Jacobs working himself an opening and shooting, bringing out a low save from goalkeeper Stephen Dickenson. On seven minutes, the deadlock was broken when a Jake Cottrell cross from the left was met with an overhead kick from Norton which bobbled into the net, more off Norton’s shin than anything else but they all count.
Five minutes later, Cottrell had a good chance when played in by Adam Jones but he found Dickinson was up to the task of keeping the ball out. Jones himself came close but his scuffed shot rolled into the arms of the keeper. Carlos Roca also came close when his shot was palmed out by Dickinson.
Five minutes before half time, the home side drew level when a long ball to Kelvin Bleau found the FC United defence standing still and all Bleau had to do was lob the ball over the stranded James Spencer for the equaliser. Worse was to follow three minutes later when Stuart Ludlam powered in a free header from a corner from the left to give Frickley a 2-1 lead.
Just after the break, FC had a great chance to equalise when Matthew Wolfenden worked himself free and hit a powerful shot against the post.
But the game was won with 20 minutes to go when United centre-half Greg Stones lost control of the ball to Danny Walsh who fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
There was a slight flurry of chances for FC late on when a Stones cross was palmed out to Wolfenden who saw his goalbound shot blocked and Stones fired the ball goalwards only to see it tipped over by Dickinson.
Overall, it was a strangely disjointed performance from FC United, despite dominating possession there was a lack of clear chances and three lapses in defence saw the campaign to win the Doodson Sport Cup come to an end.
The Reds will be hoping for much better when they get back to league action this Saturday at Gigg Lane and they will have chance of immediate revenge because the visitors are Frickley.
Website man of the match: Matthew Wolfenden - Was the busiest player in a generally lacklustre performance and was unlucky not to get FC United back in the game when hitting the post.
Report by Steven Wood
First Posted ~ 10:27 Wed 15 Feb 2012
News ID ~ 4055
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021