Burscough beat FC United of Manchester to retain their place in the UniBond League Premier Division for 2010-11

Source: Ormskirk and Skelmersdale Advertiser

Apr 15 2010 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

Burscough 1

FC United of Manchester0

UNITED’S first-ever visit to Victoria Park, on a sunny Grand National day, saw the Linnets in no mood to make it an easy one.

From the start, United played the better football but they were nevertheless guilty of giving the ball away and they put little pressure on the Burscough backline.

The hosts then began to put the Manchester side under pressure themselves and with Dominic Morley dominating the midfield it was no surprise when his free-kick was forced home by Craig Mahon just before the half-hour.

It looked like a move straight from the training ground and it was to ultimately decide the destiny of the points.

Mahon was through again minutes later only to see his shot turned over the bar by full-back James Holden.

Then, a weaving run in the 38th minute by United winger Carlos Roca took him into the box.

Full-back Shaun Holden was adjudged to have brought him down and a penalty was awarded. Roca took the kick himself sending keeper Richard Whiteside the wrong way – but the ball went past the right hand upright and the Linnets still held their lead.

Just before the break a shot by Dave Roberts from fully 30 yards just cleared the bar as Burscough pressed for a second goal.

From the start of the second period Burscough continued to advance forward.

In the 55th minute a 25-yard shot from Morley produced another save by Grant Shenton in the United goal.

Soon after, Gary McEvatt wriggled his way through the United defence, crossed to Peter Moore who did the impossible when he scooped the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box.

The home side continued to create the best of the goalscoring chances with McEvatt, Mahon, Holden and Roberts all missing out as the visitors rode their An 84th minute shot by Moore was tipped over for a corner before Mahon saw two more attempts stopped by Shenton.

To their great credit, United’s supporters sang their hearts out all afternoon, but they must have known after the miss from 12 yards it was not going to be their afternoon.

This victory, and other results on Saturday, confirmed the Linnets will still be playing UniBond League Premier Division football in 2010-11.

There’s no doubt Linnets manager Andy Gray and his players must be congratulated for what they have achieved in what has been a stressful season at Victoria Park.

BURSCOUGH: Whiteside, Field, Holden S, Morley, Bayliss, Riley, Mahon (Taylor T 90), Roberts, Moore, McEvatt (Wilson 81), Brookfield.

Subs (not used): Taylor A, Barlow, Christopher.

FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER: Shenton, Holden J, Quisten, Tsiaklis (Krou 58), Chadwick, Jacobs, Roca, Carden, Mack (Ovington 46), Wright, Yoffe (Cheetham 58).

Subs (not used): Marsh, Morris.

Referee: Mr N Davies