Monday, October 20, 2008

Turner keeps Rebels on track


19/10/2008

FC UNITED chief Karl Marginson praised his players' patience after they'd taken their first step on the long road to Wembley in the FA Trophy with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over neighbours Radcliffe.

The Rebels had to wait until the dying seconds of injury-time before centre-half Adam Turner looped in a header from Adam Carden's cross to secure their passage into the second qualifying-round.

The win was no more than FC deserved, as they dominated throughout and only once had cause to panic when Carden denied Steve Howson with a goal-line clearance.

Marginson, an FA Trophy winner as a player with Macclesfield 12 years ago, said: "I'm really proud of the patience and belief we showed. The goal was a long time coming, but I'd say the result was spot-on.

"To get to Wembley would mean everything, but that's a million miles away. All we're now concentrating on is Wednesday's league game at Frickley."

Ashton United and Leigh joined FC in successfully negotiating their opening Trophy hurdle.

Goals by Robbie Talbot and skipper Ian Kearney ensured Ashton saw off visiting Lincoln 2-1, while Genesis squeezed past Harrogate Railway courtesy of Jordan Stephen's 20th minute header.

Elsewhere, there was Trophy heartache for Trafford as they fell 3-2 at Whitby, while Witton went out 1-0 at home to Worksop and Salford were hit for six at Stourbridge.