FC United slain 3-0 by the Gladiators

FC United were shown no mercy at Matlock Town on Saturday as the Reds were comfortably beaten 3-0 in front of 1,349 supporters at Causeway Lane. Joe Slack reports...

Neil Reynolds’ side controlled most of the possession throughout the game, however, they had little to show for their effort and rarely troubled the Matlock keeper – registering only one shot on target during the whole 90 minutes.

The hosts were the better side from the off and we’re 2-0 up within half an hour, courtesy of goals from Joseph West and John Jonston. The game was effectively over as a contest within four minutes of the second half commencing when Scott Boden added the third.

The first Matlock goal to find the back of the FC net was in the 19^th minute as the ball ended up in the feet of Matlock’s West. The second was from a corner in the 30^th minute as West provided the delivery and Johnston headed the ball virtually unchallenged into the top right corner beyond the FC keeper, Pat Boyes.

The last was once again started from a corner in the 49^th minute and was first a shot by Adam Yates but Pat Boyes was up to the task, with FC unable to clear their lines, a sloppy mistake by the United defence saw Boden’s close ranged effort goal in, giving Matlock an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Following the third put in to the FC net, Reno made a triple substitution in an instant response, bringing on Charlie Ennis, Max Woodcock and Luke Griffiths hoping to rescue something out of this game.

Unfortunately, the Reds were unable to make more than one shot on target throughout the entire 90 minutes which was from a free-kick following a cynical challenge. The resulting free-kick was taken by Griffiths on the edge of the Matlock area. Unfortunately, the Matlock keeper was able to deny that chance which rebounded to Woodcock but the shot ended up far over the bar.

It was also no doubt the FC United faithful brought the passion all the way from Broadhurst Park with a sensational roar which was never altered regardless of the scoreline and only seemed to get louder after every Matlock goal in an effort to spur the Reds on.

Yesterday’s game was also the debut for winger Gilboy, former Accrington Stanley and Bury attacker, who sported the number 7 in the starting lineup and remained on the pitch to play a full 90-minute debut. After this loss, we find ourselves still in 16^th place in the table, 14 points above the relegation zone as it stands.

Following the disappointing news of the one point deduction and the 3-0 loss at Matlock, the next game on against Marine at 7:45pm on Tuesday 30^th January at Broadhurst Park is even more imperative for a good team performance.Thank you to all the fans who followed FC away to Matlock, regardless of the outcome, and we hope to see you at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday.
 
Report by Joe Slack