FC United go seven unbeaten with victory over Stalybridge Celtic

FC United continued their recent good form with a comfortable 2-1 win over near neighbours Stalybridge Celtic at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, a result which extends the team's current unbeaten run to seven games. 

A first half header from debutant striker Ewan Bange, and a coolly taken second half penalty from Charlie Ennis were enough to seal all three points for The Reds, and help to further consolidate our place close to the play-off spots as we head into the second half of the season.

The game started brightly for the home side, as an attacking trio of Regan Linney, Charlie Ennis and Ewan Bange, who joined the club this week on loan from Blackpool FC, poured pressure on the away defence from kick-off. 

Following a flurry of early chances, they found an early breakthrough when prolific goalscorer Bange headed home the team's opening goal in the 17th minute, capping off some fine attacking play and calmly converting from a sublime cross from Ali Waddecar on the left wing.

Just minutes later though, it was heartbreak for the home side, as Bange limped off with a suspected thigh injury, curtailing what had been an otherwise fine first showing in a red shirt. United fans will hope that there is more to come from the striker, given the promise of this short performance. 

For the rest of the first half FC United continued to look good value for their lead, but it's also fair to say that Stalybridge grew into the contest too. The Celts went close to levelling the score twice towards the end of the first half through chances for Shane Killock and forward Raul Correia, who both missed chances by heading wide of the goal.

It took just ten minutes of the second half for the home team to double their lead, as Charlie Ennis converted a penalty in front of the Saint Mary's Road End of Broadhurst Park. The spot kick had been given after Celts' defender Connor O'Grady handled the ball in the area following a cross into the box from the right wing. FC United's talismanic midfielder Ennis then wasted no time at all in stepping up and crashing the ball into the roof of the net for his side's second.

One of the most encouraging aspects of FC United's recent winning form has been a renewed ability to see games out from a winning position. It will have pleased Reds' boss Neil Reynolds to see not only a vibrant attacking performance from his team, but also a fine defensive showing too, as the back four and home keeper Dan Lavercombe all equipped themselves well in the face of a tall, strong and physically imposing Stalybridge forward line.

In the final quarter of the game, Stalybridge did begin to utilise their physical advantage and fought hard for a route into proceedings, earning a late consolation goal in injury time as reward for their persistence. 

Striker Raul Correia capped off a solid performance by shrugging off Aaron Morris in the middle of the penalty area, before whipping the ball past Lavercombe and into the United net, shortly before the referee blew his whistle for the final time of the afternoon. 

With another well earned three points coming from this fixture, FC United's attention will now turn to Tuesday's home fixture against promotion chasing Whitby Town, who sit one place above United in the league table. 

The Reds suffered a 1-0 loss in the away fixture back in November and will be keen to avenge that result and keep the pressure up on the play-off spots when the two sides meet. 

Website man of the match: Ali Waddecar. Another impressive performance from the Reds' forward who seems to get better and better as the games roll on. His cross for Bange's opening goal was amongst the best in a red shirt all season.

Report by Sam Turner