FC UNITED AND NANTWICH ARE UP

Source: Non League Daily

The UniBond League Premier Division will no doubt be delighted to welcome FC United of Manchester into its ranks after they hammered Skelmersdale United 4-1 in Saturday`s Division One North play-off final at Gigg Lane in front of a fantastic crowd of 3,258.

However, they had to come back from being a 10th minute Sean McConville goal behind to win.

David Platt (Ed. it woz Nicky Platt) equalised from the penalty spot 4 minutes before half time and 6 minutes into the second half FC United took the lead through Dave Chadwick.

Top scorer Rory Patterson netted a second spot-kick to make it 3-1 just past the hour-mark and Chris Baguley rounded things off with a fourth 10 minutes from time.


They will be joined in the Premier Division next season by, ironically, another side promoted from the North West Counties League at the end of last season, Nantwich Town.

The Dabbers were involved in a much tighter Division One South final against Sheffield FC in front of a crowd of 1,354 at the Weaver Stadium.

Glynn Blackhurst (pictured) put the home side ahead after 32 minutes but Paul Smith levelled right on half time.

Dave Walker restored Nantwich`s lead in the 71st minute and that looked like being enough until Rob Ward grabbed a stoppage time equaliser for Sheffield to take the tie into extra-time.

Neither side could make a breakthrough, so it was penalties, which the Dabbers eventually came out on top of by a 4-2 margin.