Late Carden strikes saves FC's blushes

Source: This is Lancashire

By Liam Chronnell

SIMON Carden grabbed a last-minute winner as FC United came from behind to edge a five-goal thriller at Newcastle Town in the North West Counties League Division One.

The midfielder struck his second goal of the game in the dying seconds as the breakaway club stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

Steve Spencer had put the leaders in front on 34 minutes but the home side rallied superbly and hit back through Dave Berks five minutes before half time.
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Nick Wellcombe's 62nd-minute effort handed the Stoke side a shock lead but Carden's first of the afternoon levelled matters with 15 minutes remaining.

And the former Radcliffe Boro man then hit a last-gasp winner to seal the points in a dramatic finale at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

Atherton Collieries have now lost just once in 11 games as they earned a hard-fought point at Glossop North End.

Seventh-placed Colls - two places above their hosts - dominated the first half and Nick Dyson saw his effort cleared off the line while Jermain Peters blasted wide from 10 yards.

After the break, Chris Farrar wasted the game's best chance in the 75th minute when the North End goalkeeper saved bravely at his feet after he had been put clean through on goal.

In Division Two, Daisy Hill could not pull off a repeat of their Challenge Cup heroics against high-flying Darwen.

Tommy Moore's side dumped Darwen out of the competition the week before but the visitors gained their revenge in a 4-0 victory at New Sirs.