FC United held at home by Buxton

FC United drew 1-1 against hotly tipped title contenders Buxton in front of a crowd of 1,797 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

Second half goals from Aaron Morris, and an equaliser for Buxton striker Diego De Girolamo ensured that both sides took a point from an action packed and competitive encounter.

The Bucks went into the fixture having won their opening two games, and started the afternoon as league leaders. The Reds were coming off the back off a fine midweek victory over Morpeth, and had further strengthened their squad with two new midweek signings – winger Morgan Homson-Smith  re-signing for another season, and attacking-midfielder Jamie Cooke arriving on loan from Conference Premier side, Halifax Town. Cooke was selected to go straight into the starting XI, playing alongside Cedric Main.

FC United started the game brightly and seemed more than up for the challenge of an afternoon's football against well-rated opponents. Captain Michael Potts was very much at the centre of things for the home side, crafting a good early chance for Main, and visibly relishing his part in a keen midfield battle with Buxton's impressive number eight, James Hurst.

With both teams enjoying a fairly even start to the game, it was United who went closest to opening the afternoon's scoring, as Main sparked a quick counterattack, breaking at pace from the halfway line.

Main opted to pick out Finlay Sinclair-Smith on the left. Evading Buxton's defence long enough to set himself up, Sinclair-Smith let fly with a cultured, curling shot, only to see it sail inches over the crossbar and rest on the roof of the net.

Buxton responded with some good attacking spells of their own, as both sides continued in search of an opening goal for the remainder of the half, only to find the goalkeepers at either end of the pitch in fine form.

FC's number one, Dan Lavercombe, pulled off a string of superb saves during the half, notably denying a headed effort from midfielder Hurst from the edge of the penalty area, and soon afterwards stretching himself out wide to push a low shot from De Girolamo around the post.

At the other end, his counterpart in the Buxton net, Theo Richardson, had to be alert to stop a close-range effort from Sinclair-Smith on the half hour mark. The United winger had again managed to slip behind the Buxton defence and latch onto a through ball, only to see his shot ably kept out by Richardson.

During the interval, FC United manager Neil Reynolds urged his side “to be brave with their football”. True enough, the Reds came out for the second 45 minutes looking hungry for the three points. A spell of excellent attacking football from the hosts paid off with a goal.

Potts received the ball from a United corner and sent a soaring cross towards a packed penalty area, where centre-back Aaron Morris was waiting to rise above the pack and head home emphatically to put his team 1-0 up.

From then on, United maintained the pressure and went in hunt of a second goal. Cooke typified his team's growing tenacity by tearing his way through the Buxton defence and aiming a shot goalwards, only to force another good save from Richardson.

The Bucks keeper was also on hand to prevent good efforts from both Morris and Main soon after, during a barrage of good goalscoring chances from the home side.

Slowly though, Buxton started to find a route back into the game, with the introduction of substitute Jamie Ward down their left adding a touch more creativity and urgency to his team's play. Following a period of sustained pressure, and a series of chances for the visitors, Buxton finally forced an equaliser when De Girolamo found space in a packed penalty area, and fired the ball home to beat Lavercombe at the near post.

United didn't let their heads go down however, and were unlucky not to take the lead again on the 82nd minute. Regan Linney created a fine opportunity for himself in the middle of the park, weaving his way through the opposition and into the penalty area. Despite sending a strong effort at the Buxton goal Richardson, once again in fine form, sprawled out to push the effort away.

Later in the game, Buxton would also have good chances to find a winner. Firstly, captain Josh Granite was unlucky to send a headed chance bouncing over the crossbar, followed by De Girolamo latching on to a rare defensive error from FC before forcing another excellent save from Lavercombe deep in injury time.

With honours even, both sides can reflect favourably on their performance during what was a fantastic afternoon's entertainment, and an excellent advertisement for football at this level. Buxton are clearly up to their billing as title contenders, while FC have proved that they can match the best teams in the division.

Website man of the match – Michael Potts. Two standout performances in a week for the United midfielder, who was at the heart of another impressive performance for his side. The FC captain dictated play for large periods of the game and was competitive, creative and constantly urging his teammates throughout the game.

Report by Sam Turner