FC United slip to second defeat of the season

A Regan Linney solo goal wasn’t enough as FC United slipped to their second defeat of the season – throwing away a halftime lead to lose 2-1 at Bamber Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Former FC United rising star Finlay Sinclair-Smith came back to haunt the visitors by scoring the winner with 19 minutes to go after Aaron Skinner had levelled the game three minutes into the second half. 

A lacklustre second half display cost the Reds as they once again failed to win at Irongate at their fifth attempt. United’s record at the South Ribble ground makes for miserable reading – won none, drawn two, lost three, scored one, conceded eight.  

It was a classic game of two halves, although there was nothing vintage about the Reds’ performance. Neil Reynolds’ side were undoubtedly the better of the two teams in the first 45 minutes and deserved their lead. However, they took their foot off the gas and were completely outfought and outthought by Brig in the second half.  

The Reds started off brightly. New signing, former Manchester United trainee Callum Gribbin looked lively on his debut and hit the top of the cross bar with a looping cross-cum-shot after 11 minutes.

FC United goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe was called into the action a couple of times but rarely troubled in the first half. However, Andy Halls did have to head clear a dangerous goalbound effort moments before Linney broke the deadlock. 

Brig were trying to keep possession and build from the back when Linney latched onto a stray ball on the halfway line. With the defence caught off guard, he had the whole half to run into. Goalkeeper Felix Goddard rushed to get back into his box, but despite his best efforts, Linney was composure personified as he calmly rounded him and cooly rolled the ball home for 1-0.   

United looked comfortable as they went into the interval. However, if they thought they were in for an trouble-free afternoon, they were soon to be reminded that there are no easy games in the Pitching In Northern Premier League. 

Brig came flying out of the traps at the restart and United were caught flatfooted. Patient build up play by the hosts stretched the Reds defence from right to left before Skinner slotted home the equaliser at the back post.

It was all Brig as United struggled to respond to the increased tempo of the match. Edy Maieco was introduced from the FC United bench for Max McCarthy and he added some extra composure in the middle of the park, but the Reds failed to create anything of note. 

At the other end, Brig were putting pressure on the United defence and it came as little surprise when they scored a second on 71 minutes. Following some intricate passing, Sinclair-Smith received the ball on the right side of the area before firing into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1.

When FC United find themselves in this kind of situation, they have a proud and entertaining history of throwing the kitchen sink at getting a late equaliser. Sadly, this tradition wasn’t on display on Saturday. 

Linney looked like the only way United would get back into the match, but Brig used the ‘dark arts’ to nullify his threat. First David Perkins was booked for deliberately sliding through the back of the United striker – thrusting his studs into Linney’s calf as he was racing towards goal. 

Moments later, Nathan Pond should have been sent off when he swung a wild kick at Linney off the ball. Incredibly, none of the officials saw what the vast majority of players and spectators did, much to the frustration of Linney and his teammates. Shortly afterwards, the fulltime whistle was blown, and the match finished Bamber Bridge 2, FC United of Manchester 1. 

Website man of the match: Regan Linney. Scored another great goal and was the only player in red to put in a convincing 90-minute performance.

Report by Matthew Haley