Radcliffe Borough 0 FC United 2

Tony Howard
17/ 4/2008

FC UNITED and Radcliffe Borough must be sick of the sight of each other.

The two sides have crossed swords four times this season and tonight (Thursday) they play in the UniBond Presidents Cup final.

The curtain raiser in the UniBond league north on Tuesday night (FC United play every other day at the moment) saw the reds beat the blues by two goals to none.

FC owed their victory to heroics from keeper Sam Ashton who was in inspired form. He’s had his critics this season, even among his own support, but at Stainton Park on Tuesday he made six mind-blowing saves to compliment the first half goals scored by Nick Robinson and Chris Baguley.

Ashton appears to have resisted the temptation to shave his head in a similar vein to his colleagues, who believe the use of a pair of clippers constitutes ‘team bonding’. That’s footballers for you.

The only other United player to turn his nose up at such daftness was Robert Nugent, who feared a shorn head wouldn’t go down to well with his new employers, and after a few dodgy moments recently, he looked back to his best on Tuesday.

He deserved the plaudits for remaining full of head.

Boro battled gamely and again showed that their lowly league position is ridiculous. Steve Howson and Griff Jones could have had a couple each, but for Mr Ashton.

Even when the mecurial Ashton was beaten, the post intervened to protect FC’s lead from a Jones header.

Fielding a few talented reserves, manager Margy was pleased to see his team play the ball on the floor rather than resorting to the long ball tactics that have contributed to FC’s failure to beat Radcliffe on the other three occasions the sides have met.

Reserve captain Jamie Rother, in midfield, was particularly impressive.

The win leaves FC well within the play-off places with just three games remaining and with the possibility of a cup double alive.

Radcliffe can take great heart from another decent performance and they will hope lady luck is slightly kinder in the cup final tonight.

The game takes place at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Arena and kicks off at 7.45pm.

United beat Lancaster 5-2 on Saturday at Gigg Lane thanks to Stuart Rudd and braces for Nugent and Rory Patterson.

While Boro beat promotion hopefuls Skelmersdale with Howson and Waine scoring the goals.