FC United end 2024/25 with point against promotion-chasing Guiseley
FC United of Manchester came from behind to claim a hard-fought point against playoff-bound Guiseley on the final day of the 2024/25 Pitching In Northern Premier League season.
After John Lufudu gave Guiseley the lead at the break, Michael Donohue’s equaliser looked to swing the momentum in FC’s favour before the spoils were eventually shared in Moston.
Mark Beesley made four changes to the starting lineup following the 3-0 defeat at Prescot Cables on Easter Monday; captain Charlie Ennis, Jordan Buckley, Michael Donohue and Guy Hall all getting the nod. Making his first start at Broadhurst Park, Oliver Bellizia kept his place in goal after making his league debut at Prescot.
Returning on the left flank for FC was Hall, who was responsible for some of the Reds’ brightest moments in an otherwise bleak first half. The first sight on goal for either side came via Hall’s good work after 15 minutes, with the wingback jinking past his man before delivering to the far post where the ball was steered wide for a corner before Grivosti could meet it.
After a slow start for both sides, it would be Guiseley who began to take the onus moving forward, with Mark Bower’s Lions frustrating FC in possession for large quantities of the first 45.
With their first attempt on goal in the 21st minute, Guiseley took the lead courtesy of a solo effort from Lufudu. After the ball was played through behind the FC backline, Lufudu wrestled with the retreating Jan Palinkas before getting ahead of the United centre half. Offside shouts dismissed, Lufudu broke into the penalty area before finding the side netting with a strike which deflected off the body of Bellizia.
The visitors somehow failed to double their lead five minutes after the opener, with top scorer Will Longbottom skying over from point blank range after good work from Lebrun Mbeka to fashion a cross from the right-hand byline.
Moments before the break, Adam Le Fondre saw a free-kick parried wide by the body of Guiseley ‘keeper Joe Cracknell after Grivosti was felled just outside the 18-yard box.
HT: FC United 0-1 Guiseley AFC
Getting out the blocks quicker following the restart, it was Hall who was once again influential in creating an opening for the hosts. An enticing delivery from the inside left channel picked out Buckley inside the box, whose header looped over the bar after the striker mistimed his leap.
Guiseley substitute Lewis Whitham almost came up with a second goal for the Lions just before the hour mark, beating Grivosti on the left wing before cutting inside and firing an effort across goal which was beaten wide by Bellizia.
FC drew level in the 65th minute, with Donohue capping off an excellent FC United move with an assured finish. Looking to draw Guiseley out of their shape, Le Fondre lofted a ball into the midriff of Buckley, who held off his marker before bringing Donohue into play. The FC midfield strode into the box unmarked, slotting confidently under Cracknell to make it 1-1.
The equaliser injected more life into the hosts, with more fluidity to their attacking play putting Guiseley on the back foot. Link-up between Grivosti and Le Fondre saw the latter latch on to a dinked ball inside the box, yet Le Fondre could not find the finish after attempting to round the goalkeeper amid a cluster of bodies.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Josh Miles had a penalty shout waved away by referee Thomas Berry when the FC substitute went to ground inside the box under the challenge of Lucas Odunston.
Le Fondre came closest to sealing the points for FC approaching the final minute of injury time, firing into the side netting on his week foot after Charlie Munro sneaked a pass into Le Fondre’s path on the left side of the box.
A thoroughly deserved point for FC in the end, who turned up the pressure in the second half on their way to a hard-earned result at Broadhurst Park. Despite both chances having chances to win it, a share of the points would be a fair reflection of the tie.
FC United will now look forward to travelling to Italy for the Final 4 of this year’s Fenix Trophy, with FC first taking on Avro on Saturday 10 May.
FC United end 2024/25 with point against promotion-chasing Guiseley
FC United of Manchester came from behind to claim a hard-fought point against playoff-bound Guiseley on the final day of the 2024/25 Pitching In Northern Premier League season.
After John Lufudu gave Guiseley the lead at the break, Michael Donohue’s equaliser looked to swing the momentum in FC’s favour before the spoils were eventually shared in Moston.
Mark Beesley made four changes to the starting lineup following the 3-0 defeat at Prescot Cables on Easter Monday; captain Charlie Ennis, Jordan Buckley, Michael Donohue and Guy Hall all getting the nod. Making his first start at Broadhurst Park, Oliver Bellizia kept his place in goal after making his league debut at Prescot.
Returning on the left flank for FC was Hall, who was responsible for some of the Reds’ brightest moments in an otherwise bleak first half. The first sight on goal for either side came via Hall’s good work after 15 minutes, with the wingback jinking past his man before delivering to the far post where the ball was steered wide for a corner before Grivosti could meet it.
After a slow start for both sides, it would be Guiseley who began to take the onus moving forward, with Mark Bower’s Lions frustrating FC in possession for large quantities of the first 45.
With their first attempt on goal in the 21st minute, Guiseley took the lead courtesy of a solo effort from Lufudu. After the ball was played through behind the FC backline, Lufudu wrestled with the retreating Jan Palinkas before getting ahead of the United centre half. Offside shouts dismissed, Lufudu broke into the penalty area before finding the side netting with a strike which deflected off the body of Bellizia.
The visitors somehow failed to double their lead five minutes after the opener, with top scorer Will Longbottom skying over from point blank range after good work from Lebrun Mbeka to fashion a cross from the right-hand byline.
Moments before the break, Adam Le Fondre saw a free-kick parried wide by the body of Guiseley ‘keeper Joe Cracknell after Grivosti was felled just outside the 18-yard box.
HT: FC United 0-1 Guiseley AFC
Getting out the blocks quicker following the restart, it was Hall who was once again influential in creating an opening for the hosts. An enticing delivery from the inside left channel picked out Buckley inside the box, whose header looped over the bar after the striker mistimed his leap.
Guiseley substitute Lewis Whitham almost came up with a second goal for the Lions just before the hour mark, beating Grivosti on the left wing before cutting inside and firing an effort across goal which was beaten wide by Bellizia.
FC drew level in the 65th minute, with Donohue capping off an excellent FC United move with an assured finish. Looking to draw Guiseley out of their shape, Le Fondre lofted a ball into the midriff of Buckley, who held off his marker before bringing Donohue into play. The FC midfield strode into the box unmarked, slotting confidently under Cracknell to make it 1-1.
The equaliser injected more life into the hosts, with more fluidity to their attacking play putting Guiseley on the back foot. Link-up between Grivosti and Le Fondre saw the latter latch on to a dinked ball inside the box, yet Le Fondre could not find the finish after attempting to round the goalkeeper amid a cluster of bodies.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Josh Miles had a penalty shout waved away by referee Thomas Berry when the FC substitute went to ground inside the box under the challenge of Lucas Odunston.
Le Fondre came closest to sealing the points for FC approaching the final minute of injury time, firing into the side netting on his week foot after Charlie Munro sneaked a pass into Le Fondre’s path on the left side of the box.
A thoroughly deserved point for FC in the end, who turned up the pressure in the second half on their way to a hard-earned result at Broadhurst Park. Despite both chances having chances to win it, a share of the points would be a fair reflection of the tie.
FC United will now look forward to travelling to Italy for the Final 4 of this year’s Fenix Trophy, with FC first taking on Avro on Saturday 10 May.
