Red Rebels shatter Chorley's dreams

Jamie Vermiglio for
Chorley against FC
United of Manchester

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 Chorley’s dreams of a second successive promotion were shattered in front of an expectant 2,754 crowd as they were beaten 2-0 at home by FC United of Manchester in a scrappy play-off semi-final not without controversy.

In fairness, FC United were good value for their victory, generally playing the more cohesive football and rising to the occasion better than the home side.

The visitors were decisively stronger in midfield and too often the Magpies’ strike pair of Ciaran Kilheeney and Steve Foster lacked the close support needed to stretch the United defence.

Urged on by a vocal 1,000-plus fans packing the Pilling Lane end which they were attacking, the Reds had the better of a fairly sterile first half, although the Magpies might have taken an early lead.

Chris Denham broke through but his attempted square ball across the box to the unmarked Foster was cut out by a defender at full stretch at the expense of a corner.

At the other end, with the pace and trickery of Carlos Roca and Stephen Johnson down the flanks a constant threat, Andy Teague rescued Chorley by deflecting a Matthew Wolfenden drive just past the post.

Proceedings livened up considerably after the interval and within minutes, Kilheeney rattled the United bar with a cracking shot from 12 yards.

Had that effort counted, it could have been a different story. As it was, the ever-dangerous Mike Norton put United ahead on 62 minutes with a quality strike.

Gliding away from defenders he curled a delightful shot beyond Russ Saunders into the far top corner.

The introduction of John Cunliffe brought more composure to Chorley’s approach work and two controversial decisions, perhaps, crucially went against the Magpies.

An incisive move down the left culminated in Andy Russell playing in Foster who appeared to chest down the pass before comfortably beating keeper James Spencer but the celebrations were cut short as a linesman flagged to adjudge the striker guilty of handball.

Russell got in a well-directed header which Spencer held under the bar before in the 79th minute the referee inexplicably refused Chorley a penalty when Denham was flattened by a climbing defender.

It was a game-changing moment.

United immediately raced away and substitute Astley Mulholland, cutting in from the left, held off a challenge before clipping the ball past Saunders..

There was no way back for Chorley after that and FC United deservedly take their chance in the final next Saturday at Bradford Park Avenue’s Horsfall Stadium, where the Yorkshiremen comprehensively defeated Hednesford Town 5-0 in the other semi-final.

Southport enjoyed a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town with Darren Stephenson on target.

Chorley suffer play-off agony

PHOTO. KEVIN McGUINNESS.
James Spencer keeps the Chorley
attack at bay for FC United of
Manchester

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 Chorley 0 FC United of Manchester 2

Chorley FC’s promotion dream ended in play-off heartbreak at Victory Park.

Two goals by Norton and Mulholland in the second-half secured the win for the visitors in the Evostik Premier play-off semi-finals in front of 2,754 fans.

FC United will play Bradford Park Avenue in the play-off final after the Yorkshiremen thumped Hednesford Town 5-0.

See lep.co.uk on Sunday for the full match report

Chorley: Saunders, Ross, Roscoe, Teague, Russell, Vermiglio, Denham, Flitcroft, Kilheeney, Foster, Ince.

Subs: Cunliffe, Williams, Brown, Walwyn, Bowen

'Monster' match is perfect for Flitcroft

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 Chorley’s NPL Premier Division semi-final meeting with FC United of Manchester at Victory Park tomorrow has been labelled a ‘monster match’ by manager Garry Flitcroft.

The Magpies are just two games away from sealing a second successive promotion.

Victory tomorrow will see Chorley progress to a the final, where they are guaranteed to play at home against either Bradford Park Avenue or Hednesford Town.

There has been a certain amount of confusion this week as the club didn’t know who they would be facing in tomorrow’s semi-final up until Wednesday.

But with second-placed Northwich Victoria’s relegation to the NPL First Division North ratified, after they were found guilty of contravening a number of financial rules and regulations, sixth-placed FC United will take their place in the season end play-offs.

And Flitcroft feels a meeting against the Red Rebels suits his team fine.

He told the Evening Post: “We are well pleased to have them in a way.

“They have got a fantastic fan base, so there’s going to be a full house at Victory Park tomorrow.

“There’s going to be nearly 3,000 fans at the ground which is just going to be brilliant.

“FC United are a good side. They have got a lot of pace in their team, but we took four points off them this season.

“We have got a home tie and, should we progress to the final, we will be at home in that as well so we’re looking at winning a second successive promotion.

“It’s been a fantastic season for us especially after all the financial problems we have had. I told the lads after we beat Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 on Saturday that I was proud of them.

“Playing in front of a big crowd tomorrow is just what they deserve. It’s going to be a monster game.”

Flitcroft reckons all the uncertainty surrounding their semi-final opponents has not had an adverse effect on his team’s preparations.

“It’s not affected us. We knew we had a home tie and I have watched Hednesford, Bradford and FC United many times over the last couple of months.

“We have only been beaten three times at home this season and I think that’s second only to Chester.

“We feel we can beat anybody. We have got some big match players in our team – we saw that in the Lancashire FA Trophy final.

“We had some big performances that day which saw us beat Kendal Town.”

Henry’s overdue a goal to make mark

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 Rob Henry is dreaming of hitting the winning goal tomorrow when Lancaster City travel to face FC United of Manchester in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The right full-back is one of only three players in the City squad who have yet to get on the scoresheet this season.

But he is hoping to break his duck at Bury’s Gigg Lane tomorrow and send the Dolly Blues to within two matches of the first round proper.

Henry said: “At this stage of the season, it’s quite a strange statistic to have – nearly everybody in the squad has scored.

“There’s only me, Craig Carney and Martin Fearon who haven’t scored.

“Craig’s been suspended and Martin is the goalkeeper.

“I nearly scored on Tuesday, but the keeper made a good save – I was hoping that was going to go in.

“But if I get a chance then hopefully I’ll put it away.

“The lads have already said that I’m on penalties if we are winning comfortably.

“If I could hit the winner against FC United – that would be nice.”

Henry revealed that everybody in the squad is buzzing as they look forward to the opportunity of playing on a Football League ground in front of what should be a sizeable crowd.

He said: “It’s a bigger stadium than normal, it’s going to be a better surface to play on than we are used to.

“Quite a few of the lads in our squad have played there before, there should be a big crowd – everybody is buzzing.”

The dependable defender is hoping this campaign is the season that the Dolly Blues finally reach the first round proper.

“That’s the goal to get to the first round,” he said.

“There’s always a team from out league that does it every year, so hopefully it’s our turn this year. I think FC United did it last year and Harrogate did it a few years ago.

“You need a bit of luck to get there and you have to beat some good sides along the way.

“But hopefully this is our year to go further than we have done before.

“I know in the last couple of years since I’ve been at the club, we got knocked out in the first round of qualifying last year and then got beaten in our second game the year before.

“But getting to the first round proper will be the motivation for everybody to do their best tomorrow.”

Henry, who has been a fixture in Tony Hesketh’s side over the past few seasons, has been delighted with the start City have made so far this season.

Despite going down to only their second defeat of the campaign away at Harrogate Railway on Saturday, the Dolly Blues bounced back in style on Tuesday.

They knocked current NPL First Division North leaders Skelmersdale United out of the Doodson Cup thanks to a 4-2 victory.

City’s only losses so far this season have come away from home, and Henry feels their ability to travel well will be key to their success this season.

“The last couple of years, we have been strong at home,” he said.

“We’ve always won the majority of our home games.

“I think the season we got to the play-off final, we won a lot of points away from home but last year, where we just missed out on a play-off place, we didn’t do quite as well away from home.

“I think how we do away from home will be key this season.

“We did not pick up enough points on our travels last year.”

Published on Friday 30 September 2011 10:01

Chorley catch United men cold

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 In a 2-0 win Chorley efficiently disposed of an FC United side which only picked up the gauntlet when it was too late.

The hundreds of United followers who boycotted the early kick-off missed an ultimately fiery contest which was spoiled by an officious referee, too ready to reach for his cards, producing six yellows and then two red cards in a turbulent final quarter.

United, attacking a completely deserted away end, could have done with some vocal encouragement, whereas the Magpies, urged on by a lively 1,074 crowd, delivered the goods to return, albeit briefly, to the top of the Premier Division table.

United keeper James Spencer was soon in action, tipping over a drive from Tom Ince, cleverly released by Andy Teague’s wonderful long crossfield pass.

Then Simon Whaley wasted a clear chance, lifting his lob beyond Spencer but a foot wide.

The Magpies seized the lead in the 39th minute.

Adam Roscoe saw a towering header hacked off the United line but the danger was not over and Roscoe was tripped as he turned sharply in the box.

Lee McEvilly calmly scored from the penalty.

Chorley virtually settled the match two minutes into the second half, McEvilly heading square across the box for Teague to beat Spencer with a low shot.

On 78 minutes Steve Flitcroft was sent off following a sliding tackle and the visitors lost Ben Deegan just before the end when he saw red for lunging in on Teague.

Magpies boss Garry Flitcroft said: “We’ve had two tough games this week against sides who are going to be challenging and even with key players missing we’ve turned in a solid performance and fully deserved our victory.’

CHORLEY: Saunders, Brown, Walker, Teague, Russell, Whitham, Roscoe, Flitcroft, Whaley (Cunliffe, 70), McEvilly (Williams, 87), Ince. Unused subs. Maden, Fairhurst, Howarth.

Attendance: 1,074.

FC United order fans to stay away

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 There will not be any away fans inside Victory Park on Saturday after FC United of Manchester’s visit to Chorley took a dramatic twist this week.

The visitors have rejected their allocation of just over 500 tickets for the NPL Premier Division fixture – seemingly in protest at the draconian measures placed on the game.

Originally the match – which would normally have a 3pm start – was put back to a morning kick-off by the Magpies on advice from the police.

It was also stipulated by the police that crowd segregation should be put in place.

With no visiting fans now set to attend the game, the kick-off has now been moved again from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Both Chorley and FC United are among the best-supported clubs in non-league and a crowd of more than 3,000 was expected for the blockbuster clash.

However, the police were anxious to avoid a repeat of the unsavoury scenes which took place last season when crowd trouble marred Chorley’s home match against Chester – a game which attracted a bumper four-figure crowd.

Magpies boss Garry Flitcroft feels lessons could have been learned from previous experiences, which could have prevented such stringent measures being placed on the game.

Flitcroft said: “The police have obviously had to do this after what happened against Chester last season when a minority spoiled the game for everyone else.

“That’s the reason why it’s happened – it’s unfortunate really. Chorley have never had a problem with FC United – it’s just disappointing all-round.

“The majority of the Chester fans last season were well behaved and there was a bit of banter between both sets of supporters – that’s what football is all about – it was about 20 or 30 fans who spoiled it.

“I feel sorry for my players. The players have worked hard this season to be top of the league and they deserve to play in front of big crowds – but there’s nothing we can do now, we will just have to get on with it.”

FC United had met with officials from Chorley, the league and the police earlier this week to discuss matchday arrangements.

A statement issued by FC United said: “The information given at the meeting has been discussed by the FC United board, but we have regrettably refused to accept an allocation of tickets for the game. The league and Chorley FC have been informed of our decision.

“We have spent the last two weeks trying unsuccessfully to understand the reasons behind the decisions taken and obtain more information about ticketing arrangements.

“Chorley were due at Gigg Lane last weekend to sell tickets prior to our game against Rushall Olympic but when we failed to get satisfactory answers to our concerns that offer was withdrawn.

“Matters were given a full airing this week but with the game just a few days away there is nothing that can be done to address our remaining concerns at such short notice

“If we had been involved in discussions about the matchday arrangements at an earlier stage and had been given full information...then we are sure matters could have been resolved.”

Published on Wednesday 7 September 2011 09:18

Brig battle bravely

A spirited fightback was not enough to keep Bamber Bridge's promotion dream alive at Bury last night as they lost 3-2 against FC United.

On a night when the Champions League took centre stage, Brig's season ended in a typically-feisty play-off semi-final battle that proudly flew the flag for UniBond League football.

United, pipped by Bradford Park Avenue in the fight for automatic promotion from the First Division North, started favourites in front of a voracious 'home' crowd at Gigg Lane.

Yet the hosts were nervous in the first quarter, with Brig on top and looking likely to cause an upset.

After dependable defender Adam Tong cut out an early Adam Carden and Jerome Wright raid, Brig took the upper hand, with midfielder Tom Ince soon proving a nuisance.

In the best visitors' attack, Brig top scorer Ryan Salmon's deflected strike hit the woodwork after a snaking Ince run and fine lay-off.

Ince's follow-up from a resultant Alex Porter corner was then gathered by keeper Sam Ashton, while Nicky Platt came close at the other end from a floated free-kick.

Neil Zarac was unlucky with an audacious lob that struck the woodwork again, and on 22 minutes an FC United breakthrough arrived – against the run of play.

Adam CARDEN's one-two with skipper Rory Patterson led to a right-wing raid and a powerful finish to beat advancing keeper Terry McCormick.

United's belief grew, the Carden brothers – Adam and Simon – plus Platt were denied as Brig struggled to clear.

Ince's first touch was poor after a mislaid pass at the other end gave Brig hope, and on 38 minutes a sweeping United counter-attack led to a second home goal.

This time, Simon Carden started the move, putting Platt away, a quick pass then finding Adam Carden before a square ball wrong-footed McCormick and gave PATTERSON an empty net to fire into.

Patterson twice more came close and Stuart Rudd fired wide with an easier finish before the break, Brig just happy to get in only two goals adrift.

Yet Entwistle then sacrificed Ince and Martin Crowder, and replacements Ryan-Zico Black and Mark Edmeads proved to be catalysts for the comeback.

Within six minutes of the restart Brig halved the arrears, a Black free-kick leading to ZARAC bundling in from close range as United struggled to defend.

Ashton denied Zarac in a one-on-one then cut out a deep Porter corner, yet Brig's positive approach led to inevitable gaps and Tong had to be at his best to stop one of many Adam Carden right-wing raids, while Patterson and Rudd again fired wide with good chances.

Salmon came close to converting from a Porter overhead delivery, and from the counter-attack WRIGHT fired in a third from the left of the area on 69 minutes.

Brig battled on, with Salmon inches wide after another neat Porter pass before ZARAC turned and shot home a sublime second strike on 79 minutes.

Patterson hit the crossbar with his next effort, while Black and Tong might have done better as Brig countered, and no one could get on the end of an Edmeads cross that proved to be the final chance of an often fiery but always absorbing clash.

BAMBER BRIDGE: McCormick, Steel, Crowder (Edmeads 46), Williams, Tong, Bowen (Fleming 75), Ince (Black 46), Mahoney, Zarac, Salmon, Porter.

Referee: GM Brittain.

Attendance: 1,820.

Last Updated: 01 May 2008 10:15 AM

United do not scare Entwistle

30 April 2008 9:58 AM

Defiant Phil Entwistle says Bamber Bridge are not running scared of red-hot promotion favourites FC United of Manchester.

Brig meet United at Gigg Lane tonight in a UniBond North play-off semi-final, with the winners meeting Skelmersdale United on Saturday.

Skelmersdale progressed to the final after a Georgie Donnelly double put them on their way to a 3-0 home win over Curzon Ashton last night, with Anthony Murt adding the final strike.

"Some people will have written us off already, but we can take great heart from our results against FC United this season," said Entwistle.

"We've drawn twice with FC United in the league and beat them at Irongate, so we've nothing to fear from them.

"The atmosphere should be sensational, and, with FC United expecting at least 5,000 at Gigg Lane, it will be very a hostile environment.

"I think that could help us, as that is going to pile all the expectation on Manchester.

"The game is a one-off, so it is all up for grabs.

"Bamber Bridge are the massive underdogs, but I've real faith in my lads.

"If we do it, then we'd be 90 minutes away from winning promotion to the UniBond Premier Division."

Brig clinched their place in the play-offs with a point at Clitheroe last weekend, following a 5-0 thrashing of play-off rivals Ossett Albion 48 hours earlier.

"That win at Ossett did it for us, and it was a super performance," added Entwistle.

"The pressure was on the lads for a big performance and they came up with the goods.

"I'm sure our fans will turn out in force again after the brilliant support they gave us at Ossett and Clitheroe.

"We've had a fantastic season, and we want to finish it in style by winning promotion."

Entwistle will gave fitness checks to Steve Brown and striker Sean O'Neil ahead of tonight's clash.

Chorley outclassed by FC United

A jaded Chorley side were completely outclassed by FC United last night.

The only Magpie to emerge from the game with any credit was keeper Peter Collinge who kept the score down with a series of top-class saves.

As it was, a double from the league's leading scorer Rory Patterson and a last-minute effort from Stuart Rudd were more than enough to see off the visitors, who never looked as if they would score their first goal in four games.

The game was dominated by United's skilful and pacy midfield trio, the Baguley brothers and Jerome Wright, and chances were created at regular intervals.

If a number of these chances went begging, and the midfielders themselves were as guilty as the frontrunners at times in squandering them, much of that was down to Collinge's resistance.

The opening goal arrived in the ninth minute when Wright's cross from the byeline was bundled home by Patterson, and, though United dominated the rest of the half, they failed to increase their lead.

As half-time approached Chorley might easily have levelled when Eckersley and Nolan combined to send Drew clear and his shot from just inside the box only just missed the target.

United and Patterson doubled their lead in the 50th minute with a carbon copy of the first goal, Wright again the provider.

Not long after, Patterson looked certain to complete his hat-trick a s he left the Chorley rearguard in his wake and rounded Collinge, but before he could convert the opportunity the defenders regrouped and smothered his effort.

United remained in control, creating and missing chances at will, while Chorley's rare excursions into opposition territory never really threatened to break their duck, though Eckersley should have done better than clear the bar by yards when receiving the ball by the penalty spot courtesy of a misplaced defensive header.

Soon after, Collinge made his best save of the night when he acrobatically tipped a 30-yard free-kick from Chris Baguley round the post.

But it was to no avail as Rudd gave a more realistic look to the scoreline with his last-minute strike.

Chorley: Collinge, Clark, Taylor, Fletcher, Mullineux (Coyne 75), Drew, Eckersley, Ellison, Burke, Nolan (Walker 66), Goodeve (Brookes 66).

Attendance: 1,645

Last Updated: 27 March 2008 9:38 AM

Brig's 3-0 bumper pay day

Published Date: 17 November 2007
Location: Preston

"The last time we had this many through the gate they were all here to see the Hollyoaks lot."

Brig's bumper day against FC United of Manchester - the breakaway club formed by disgruntled fans of Manchester United - ended with three points and a big pay cheque.

Goals by Ryan Salmon, new signing Dave Eaton and a deft header - sadly for FC United in the wrong net - sealed a 3-0 win for Phil Entwistle's rampant side in front of 1,435 fans at Irongate.

The crowd was the biggest for a Bamber Bridge game in years - forgetting a recent charity match.

"We had around 2,000 down for the match the other Sunday when the Hollyoaks cast played," said beaming chairman Terry Gammans. "If I could get Phil to pick one or two of them every week we'd be rolling in it!"

It was Brig's turn to milk the bandwagon cash cow that is FC United of Manchester and their vociferous band of followers, who founded the club in protest at the Malcolm Glazer takeover at Old Trafford.

Even before kick-off, it was obvious this was not going to be any normal Unibond League game.

Traffic cones, PNE stewards, police, 800 programmes instead of the usual 100 printed, a never ending pie stall queue and the best of all...a bar in an old changing room.

"We've got a second bar," said Terry, proudly. "It's in the old changing room at the back. We've called it the Lager and Beer Lounge."

Bemused neighbours whose homes overlook the ground were spotted peering out of their windows, bemused as to what all the racket was about.

Gary Thorpe, 41, was watching the action over his garden fence.

"I normally shut the curtains when they play on a cold Tuesday night, but this is great, set the club up for the season the money they'll make today.

"I had three lads with Manchester accents walk through my garden and jump over the fence and into the ground. Wife was going mad she was."

They probably wish they hadn't bothered coming at all.

Brig dominated the early part of the game and went ahead on 15 minutes, the ever-dangerous Ryan Salmon ramming the ball home from close range.

It could have been more but for FC United's impressive keeper.

Two goals in two second-half minutes sealed the win for Brig and it could have been more.

"Can we play you every week?" was the amusing chant from the hardy band of home fans.

"'We don't play for Sky Sports no more' and 'Let's pretend we're 3-0 up," came the retort.

Brig will net at least £10,000 - plus bar takings - from Saturday's brush with the ultimate fans' club.

And the best thing? The FC United cashpot bandwagon will be back at Irongate in February for another league fixture.

Let the tills roll...

Andy Sykes

Last Updated: 18 November 2007 2:08 AM

Colin Bell signs for the Reds

Source: Lancashire Evening Post

Colin Bell will shock City fans this weekend, by turning out for United.
But before Manchester City fans start reaching for the valium, the legend won't be turning out for Manchester United. This is the 'other' Colin Bell, set for his FC United debut this week.

The utility player has already sparked a poll among FC fans to have his named changed by deed poll, with Lee Summerbee and Dennis Law among the suggestions.

But Bell says that he's a lifelong United fan.

"I am actually named after Colin Bell. But from his Bury days, not when he was at City," claimed the 24-year-old, who turned out for Carmarthen in the League of Wales last season.

"My mum's familly are United and my dad's are City, but i've been going to Old Trafford since I was seven.

"I will have to put in a few good performances to win this lot over."