Anchors frustrate FC as Reds suffer United United Day defeat
FC United of Manchester suffered a dampener on the inaugural United United Day at Broadhurst Park, as promotion-chasing Stockton Town dug in to claim the points in a 1-0 victory for the Teessiders in Moston.
A solitary goal from Josh Scott would be enough to seal the win for Stockton in their first trip to Broadhurst Park, in a game which lacked any real cutting edge at either end of the pitch.
While the United faithful were in fine voice in the build-up and through the opening few minutes, it would be the well-travelled Stockton contingent who had cause to celebrate early on. Michael Dunwell’s side took the lead with their first effort of the game with four and a half minutes on the clock; having kept possession well near the right corner flag, the ball was played low into the feet of Scott inside the box, who took one touch before finding Conor O’Keefe’s bottom right corner.
Another blow to FC’s cause came just under the 20 minute mark when Gez Sithole had to be helped off the pitch with what appeared to be an injury to his left ankle. The architect of the Reds’ winner against Gainsborough last weekend, Sithole would be replaced prematurely by Jay Fitzmartin.
In a first half which lacked attacking substance from an FC perspective, the majority of the hosts’ pressure in the final third came from set-pieces. One such opening came on 20 minutes, Adam Le Fondre mistimed a left-footed effort with space inside the box after Michael Donohue cleverly let Charlie Munro’s drilled corner delivery pass through his legs.
Despite FC slightly edging the first half in terms of possession, Stockton looked the most likely to find a second goal with the few chances they were able to craft. Anchors’ top scorer Michael Sweet came close to adding to his season tally in the 39th minute, firing a left-footed shot on the spin just wide of the post after the ball trickled into his path in behind the FC backline.
HT: FC United of Manchester 0-1 Stockton Town
Suffering from an absence of quality in the final third, FC failed to ask any real questions of the Stockton backline. The play of Donohue provided some much needed dynamism for Mark Beesley’s side, linking up well with Fitzmartin on the inside left channel on more than one occasion, yet to no avail.
The introductions of Charlie Ennis and Jordan Buckley off the bench looked to provide an injection of energy moving forward. The latter latched onto an excellent lobbed ball from Le Fondre which gave Buckley a chance to run at the Stockton defence, however the sturdy regiment of Dunwell’s side stood strong to force FC away from goal.
Nullified in attack for the vast majority of the game, Le Fondre had an opportunity to let fly after FC were awarded a free-kick in a central position just outside the box, however the striker could not keep his attempt from landing over the bar.
FC had their best chance to draw level in the 85th minute of play; a sublime pass from substitute Charlie Ennis sent Le Fondre away in behind the Stockton defence, however visiting ‘keeper Nathan Harker came off his line quick enough to smother Le Fondre’s effort one-on-one.
Stockton held on with relative comfort in the end, able to protect their early goal with a constant air of organisation at the back. For FC, a case of promising build-up play failing to transpire into substantial chances.
Anchors frustrate FC as Reds suffer United United Day defeat
FC United of Manchester suffered a dampener on the inaugural United United Day at Broadhurst Park, as promotion-chasing Stockton Town dug in to claim the points in a 1-0 victory for the Teessiders in Moston.
A solitary goal from Josh Scott would be enough to seal the win for Stockton in their first trip to Broadhurst Park, in a game which lacked any real cutting edge at either end of the pitch.
While the United faithful were in fine voice in the build-up and through the opening few minutes, it would be the well-travelled Stockton contingent who had cause to celebrate early on. Michael Dunwell’s side took the lead with their first effort of the game with four and a half minutes on the clock; having kept possession well near the right corner flag, the ball was played low into the feet of Scott inside the box, who took one touch before finding Conor O’Keefe’s bottom right corner.
Another blow to FC’s cause came just under the 20 minute mark when Gez Sithole had to be helped off the pitch with what appeared to be an injury to his left ankle. The architect of the Reds’ winner against Gainsborough last weekend, Sithole would be replaced prematurely by Jay Fitzmartin.
In a first half which lacked attacking substance from an FC perspective, the majority of the hosts’ pressure in the final third came from set-pieces. One such opening came on 20 minutes, Adam Le Fondre mistimed a left-footed effort with space inside the box after Michael Donohue cleverly let Charlie Munro’s drilled corner delivery pass through his legs.
Despite FC slightly edging the first half in terms of possession, Stockton looked the most likely to find a second goal with the few chances they were able to craft. Anchors’ top scorer Michael Sweet came close to adding to his season tally in the 39th minute, firing a left-footed shot on the spin just wide of the post after the ball trickled into his path in behind the FC backline.
HT: FC United of Manchester 0-1 Stockton Town
Suffering from an absence of quality in the final third, FC failed to ask any real questions of the Stockton backline. The play of Donohue provided some much needed dynamism for Mark Beesley’s side, linking up well with Fitzmartin on the inside left channel on more than one occasion, yet to no avail.
The introductions of Charlie Ennis and Jordan Buckley off the bench looked to provide an injection of energy moving forward. The latter latched onto an excellent lobbed ball from Le Fondre which gave Buckley a chance to run at the Stockton defence, however the sturdy regiment of Dunwell’s side stood strong to force FC away from goal.
Nullified in attack for the vast majority of the game, Le Fondre had an opportunity to let fly after FC were awarded a free-kick in a central position just outside the box, however the striker could not keep his attempt from landing over the bar.
FC had their best chance to draw level in the 85th minute of play; a sublime pass from substitute Charlie Ennis sent Le Fondre away in behind the Stockton defence, however visiting ‘keeper Nathan Harker came off his line quick enough to smother Le Fondre’s effort one-on-one.
Stockton held on with relative comfort in the end, able to protect their early goal with a constant air of organisation at the back. For FC, a case of promising build-up play failing to transpire into substantial chances.
