Report: Grivosti nets late winner as FC graft for maiden Borough Park victory

FC United of Manchester claimed three hard-fought points on the road as they defeated Workington AFC 1-0 in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

A missed penalty by Charlie Ennis looked to have squandered FC’s chances of taking the points back to Moston, however Matty Grivosti’s goal in added time at the end of the match secured FC United’s first ever win at Borough Park at the third time of asking.

An early Workington corner led to the first effort of the game inside two minutes. David Symington’s delivery was headed back across goal by Steven Rigg causing confusion inside the FC area, however Connor Pani’s eventual effort from the edge of the six-yard box landed wide of the post.

Conor O’Keefe was called into action outside of his box when a lofted ball over the top required the FC ‘keeper to head the ball away. Picking up the loose ball with O’Keefe off his line, Rigg set his sights on the empty net, though Workington’s top scorer could not get enough purchase on the strike to reach the United goal.

Having dealt with the hosts’ early chances Mark Beesley’s side began to create opportunities for themselves, with Le Fondre pivotal in several promising moves. On 20 minutes, a delicate ball in behind the Workington backline from FC’s frontman looked to have set Gez Sithole through on goal, but the hosts’ ‘keeper Jack Barrett was quick to smother Sithole’s effort just inside the box.

Workington’s Kai Nugent saw a volleyed strike arrow just over the bar in the 27th minute; good work from Jamie Allen to beat Jay Fitzmartin at the byline created space for a delivery to the centre of the box, with Carlisle product Nugent unlucky to see his shot find the wrong side of the crossbar.

HT: Workington AFC 0-0 FC United of Manchester

After a slow start to proceedings following the break, it was Mark Fell’s home side who created the first opening of the second 45. Picking up possession midway in the FC half, Rigg floated a ball into a dangerous area for Allen to run onto, but the winger could only find the hands of O’Keefe with a low effort from the right side of the penalty area.

FC were presented with an excellent chance to open the scoring with just over 15 minutes to play when substitute Dec McLoughlin was brought down inside the box for a penalty. An exquisite ball by Matty Grivosti found Le Fondre in space on the left side of the area, squaring across to McLoughlin who was fouled by Efe Ambrose in the process of getting his shot away. Up stepped Charlie Ennis from the spot, whose penalty was comfortably denied by a low stop from Barrett.

While the intensity of the game kept at a high level throughout the second half, chances remained at a premium at both ends. Workington continued to have a slight edge in terms of attacking threat, yet were limited to only half chances as FC remained stubborn in defence.

With 90 seconds played following the expiration of normal time, the visitors were rewarded for their defensive resolve as Grivosti scored his first goal in FC colours to give United the lead. A deep cross  from the left flank by Guy Hall found Grivosti waiting at the far post, who drilled a shot underneath the body of Barrett at his near right post.

Beesley’s side held on in the final moments to claim a bounce-back victory following last weekend’s defeat at home to Hebburn Town. For Workington, a disappointing result having enjoyed the better of the action over the course of the 90 minutes.

FC United will now travel to Montenegro as they prepare to take on Fans United in the next round of the Fenix Trophy on Monday evening.

Report by Finn Honeywood.