FC United slump to 3-1 defeat at Ilkeston

FC United slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Ilkeston on Saturday afternoon with Jerome Wright scoring a consolation from the penalty spot.

Three goals in a crazy 11 minute first half spell condemned FC United to a third league defeat of the season at Ilkeston FC.

The Reds started the game well, seeing good spells of possession, Matthew Wolfenden putting in a dangerous cross that ricocheted off Andy Welsh and was saved by Jordan Smith.

Moments later, Wolfenden was again involved when pulling the ball back for Liam Brownhill to see his goal bound shot blocked. Midway through the first half, Wolfenden was played through but his weak lob fell into the arms of Smith.

On 25 minutes, the madness began. A corner for FC United was cleared to Che Adams inside his own half. He proceeded to run at the FC players back in defence, passing James Knowles and Dave Birch before rolling the ball into the net.

The lead was doubled on 29 minutes when the FC United defence collectively fell asleep and Adams found himself in acres of space to pull the ball back for Rob Duffy to nod the ball home.

Things got worse seven minutes later as Kane Richards found himself beyond a statuesque defence to round Dave Carnell and score the home side’s third goal.

The Reds needed half-time to regroup and the second half started well with Luke Ashworth forcing a good save from Smith. On 53 minutes, FC United were handed a lifeline when Wright was tripped in the box. He took the penalty himself and sent the keeper the wrong way to pull a goal back.

In truth the siege on the home goal that might have been expected didn’t really materialise. FC certainly saw most of the ball and the game was played mainly in the Ilkeston half of the pitch but there were no real clear chances created and the home side ran out the winners.

Report by Steven Wood

Website man of the match - Matthew Wolfenden. In a game where it is difficult to pin point a good performance, the award is given due to the fact that in the spell before the first goal, Wolfenden was at the centre of most of the action.