Fleetwood Town 2 FC United 1

By Paul Cambridge

SATURDAY September 15 2007 - FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Crowd 3112

Goals: FTFC: Jamie Milligan 2 (2 pens) FCUM: Rory Patterson

A record Highbury Stadium attendance of 3,112 witnessed a pulsating FA Cup tie; the home side earning a narrow victory thanks to a brace of penalties by man of the match, Jamie Milligan.

Town started the game the brighter; the fit again Andy Bell forcing a fine save from the FCUM keeper who tipped a fierce drive over the bar. Danny Hurst was in similarly superlative form at the other end; his triple save thwarting a despairing Rory Patterson. Fleetwood took the lead after 18 minutes; Milligan winning and then converting a penalty which he finished with customary aplomb. FCUM's reply was immediate and within 7 minutes Patterson scored a deserved equalizer; the talented front man bursting on to a through ball before beating Hurst with a clinically directed shot.

Bell made way for Steve Foster at half time; the substitute instantly making an impression with a fine effort from outside the box which was well saved. Overall, the second half was less dramatic but burst into life on the hour mark when Richard Allen was dismissed following an off the ball incident. Undaunted; the 10 men stuck to their task and with Phil Robinson on for Ciaran Donnelly to beef up the Town defence Fleetwood continued to look the more likely winners. And on 66 minutes, Milligan grabbed the winner; Foster winning a penalty after his burst into the penalty area ended with him being unceremoniously fouled. Milligan kept his cool and again sent the keeper the wrong way. The impressive Alex Taylor almost grabbed a third after replacing the hard working Phil Denney in the dying minutes but the final whistle signalled a 2-1 victory for the hosts and a place in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Fine displays by Milligan, Hurst and Denney in what was a sound team performance.

Fleetwood Town Team: Hurst, Walmsley, Fitzgerald, Moran, Mercer, Pond, Donnelly (Robinson), Milligan, Denney (Taylor), Bell (Foster), Allen. Subs Not Used: Hale, Gray.

Last Updated: 17 September 2007 10:08 PM