Colne 0 FC United 4

Source: Lancaster Telegraph

By Telegraph newsdesk
Comment

FC UNITED progressed to the quarter-finals of the D-Zine League Challenge Cup, but the scoreline did not truly reflect the balance of play.

In fact, Colne could have taken the lead in the first minute, when Anthony Murt's shot was well saved by Sam Ashton who then produced a reflex save to deny James Blackburn from the follow-up.

Colne continued to threaten, but on 24 minutes they were stunned when the FC United centre back Rob Nugent was allowed to turn in the Colne box and rifle home into the right-hand corner.

Undeterred, Colne continued to mount attack after attack with Scott Gizon, Liam Garbutt and Murt all going close.

The 1,500 crowd inside Holt House hoped the home side could come back after the break but on 58 minutes the result was more or less settled, when Ben Howarth was robbed by Rob Patterson, who punished the mistake with a clinical finish to increase the FC United lead.

Then to compound Colne's misery, Jason Heffernan was sent off after being shown a second yellow card and the well-drilled opposition were quick to exploit the home side's woe.

First, Shaun Roscoe broke down the left and his cross was met at the near post by Stuart Rudd to glance home, and in the dying minutes, Dave Brown was allowed the time and space to complete the scoring from close range to send the rebels into the next round.