Ashton United 1 FC United 3

Source: Manchester Evening News

October 18, 2009

FC UNITED are through to the FA Trophy second qualifying round after a 3-1 win over Ashton.

Goals from Phil Marsh, Adam Tong and Carlos Roca were enough to see the Rebels through a tricky tie against the Unibond Premier League leaders at Hurst Cross.

“It was scrappy but to come out 3-1 winners at a tough place like Ashton is a great testament to the players,” said FC boss Karl Marginson.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after an evenly-matched opening to the game.

Ben Deegan flicked on Jerome Wright’s cross to Marsh, and the striker had time to take a touch before coolly slotting home from 12 yards.

Tong then increased FC’s advantage in spectacular fashion in the 43rd minute with a dipping half-volley from 35 yards that left Ashton ‘keeper Terry Smith helpless.

The Rebels seemed to be in complete control, but Ashton hit back straight from the restart with Matty O’Neill taking advantage of some careless defending to make it 2-1 to the visitors at the break.

The home side came out strongly in the second half in search of the equaliser, but the Rebels remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Winger Carlos Roca finally sealed the victory with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area with 20 minutes to go.

The win extends FC’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.

“Winning breeds confidence and we’re going in the right direction,” said Marginson.