FC United held at home by Warrington Rylands

FC United failed to reclaim top spot in the Pitching In Northern Premier League after throwing away a two goal lead in the last five minutes to draw 2-2 at home to midtable Warrington Rylands at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Regan Linney looked like he’d snatched all three points and sent the Reds back to the top of the table with two well-taken goals in the 74th and 84th minutes. 

However, Neil Reynolds’ side couldn’t see out the victory and instead conceded two goals in two minutes as the visitors fought back to take a well-deserved share of the spoils. 

It was a frustrating finale for the vast majority of the 1,821 supporters in attendance as the two late goals leave FC United in third place, behind Hyde United and next Saturday’s opponents Gainsborough Trinity. 

Throughout the first half, the Reds were pinned back well by the visitors, who demonstrated are the joint top scorers in the league, along with Gainsborough.  

If it wasn’t for the heroics of goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe, FC United could have been going in at half time with a bigger mountain to climb. Defensive resilience was the key in that first period for the Reds, as they struggled to gain any composure in possession.

As he so often does, Linney managed to work a chance on the Rylands goal which warmed the palms of the visiting ‘keeper, but he gathered the second ball well to nullify the threat. 

FC did see the ball hit the net in the 32nd minute, as Griffiths broke through the line, but offside was given and FC didn’t have the breakthrough they were expecting.

With three minutes to go before the half-time oranges were being peeled, Dan Lavercombe came to United’s aid once again, pulling off a world class save to prevent a Rylands chip from looping into the back of the net. 

After receiving a stern talking to at half-time, FC emerged from the tunnel with a renewed vigour. The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute when Linney drove the ball low past the sprawling Warrington ‘keeper.

Just 10 minutes later FC doubled their lead, again through Linney. FC worked the ball excellently, jinxing through a packed Rylands defence to work the ball again to Linney, who made no mistake. 

Despite having a two-goal lead, the Reds were exposed immediately afterwards, as Rylands broke quickly and got one back to bring their side back into the game.

It would be heartbreak in the end for FC, as Edgerton got hold of the ball after a melee in the box, and prodded it home for the equaliser. The game then opened up as both sides threw everything at trying to get the winner, but it wouldn’t be for either as the referee ended proceedings. 

Website man of the match – Regan Linney. Despite FC ultimately dropping points, Linney was a constant threat in that second half, and worked just as hard to regain possession as he did while on the ball. 

After the game, FC United manager Neil Reynolds said: “There’s lots to be positive about in the second half performance, but we’ve all been around football long enough to know that if you switch off at key moments, you concede goals. I feel sorry for some of the lads in there, because they have to be wondering what more they have to do.

“We have to pick ourselves up, we’ve got an exciting couple of weeks coming up with the Fenix Trophy, the Manchester Cup and the league, so lots to be positive about, but gutted we’ve dropped points today.”

Next up for FC, we’re back in European action in our defence of the Fenix Trophy, as Belgian side KSK Beveren visit Broadhurst Park this Tuesday, 15th November, in a 7:45pm kick-off.

Report by Callum Scott and Matthew Haley