The Red Round-Up - 8th April

Here’s the round-up of the weekend action for each of FC’s teams.  

Men’s First Team

The men’s team played out a 1-1 draw at Mickleover on Saturday afternoon. 

The first half was described as ‘lacklustre’ by manager Mark Beesley, with the hosts holding the lead at the break courtesy of Dylan Edwards’ 32nd minute goal.

The Reds were out of the blocks quickly after half time, causing Mickleover some problems early on. Seven minutes into the second half, Michael Donohue was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin, with the referee showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Adam Le Fondre stepped up and hit it low into the bottom corner - the keeper having guessed correctly but unable to get a hand to it.

Mickleover, scrapping to avoid relegation, fought hard to retake the lead and had chances to do just that. The best chance for FC to win came a couple of minutes from time with Dec McLoughlin’s shot from the edge of the area going wide of the post. The hosts came close to taking all three points with the last kick of the game, as a free kick in a dangerous area fortunately went just over the bar.

The draw sees Beesley’s side remain in 12th place, now nine points clear of Matlock Town who currently occupy the final relegation place with four games to go.

Women’s First Team

The women concluded their league campaign last Sunday, but it was a busy week of cup action for them.

On Wednesday night, they hosted Ellesmere Port Town in the replay of the previously-abandoned Alliance Design & Print Cup Quarter Final. 

First half goals from Abby Lester and Tamara Hamer sent the Reds in with a two goal cushion at half-time. Kayleigh Mack extended the lead right after the break, before Jace Carlin made it four around fifteen minutes from full-time. The visitors grabbed a consolation shortly before the end, but it was Elsie Baxter and Seb Bacon’s side who went through to face a semi-final trip to Accrington Stanley.

That game was a quick turnaround, being played on Sunday afternoon. A goalless first half left it all to play for, but a second half brace from Stanley’s Grace Hindley saw them bag their place in the final.

That result concludes the season for the women, and all eyes are now on results elsewhere which will determine what division they will be playing in next season. Relegation rivals Salford City were defeated by Crewe Alexandra on Sunday – they now have two games left and need a win to stay up; if they find a victory in one of those games, it will be FC who face the drop.

Academy

After the disappointment of defeat against Buxton, the Academy bounced back with a 1-0 victory on the road against neighbours Oldham Athletic on Wednesday.

The victory takes FC up to third in the table, five points behind leaders Chorley with three games left to play.

Under 18s

The Under 18s didn’t have a match this weekend, but there was a game with huge significance to the title race played on Saturday.

Second played third, as Woodhouses and Roach faced each other. In a tight game, Roach came from behind twice to lead with fifteen minutes to go, but Woodhouses grabbed a dramatic equaliser two minutes from time. The match finished 3-3, meaning that Martin Morris and Mark Crilly’s side now lead by three points with two games to go. 

Victory at Chadderton this Saturday would see them take another big step towards winning the title.

COMING UP

The Men’s First Team are on the road in Derbyshire for the second consecutive week as they face Ilkeston Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

The Academy host Chorley at Broadhurst Park on Wednesday afternoon (2pm) in a must-win game for the Reds to have any hope of making it back-to-back titles.

The Under 18s head to Chadderton on Saturday morning (9am) as they look to press their lead at the top of the table.

The Men’s Development Team aren’t back in action for another week, but if Avro are beaten by Ashton United on Wednesday evening, Callum Greenwood’s side will be crowned champions.