Source: Lancaster Guardian
A PERFORMANCE FULL OF grit and determination saw Lancaster City progress to the next round of the FA cup.
They knocked out Evo-Stik Premier outfit FC United of Manchester at Gigg lane on Saturday with a Lee Dodgson strike and a full blooded defensive effort.
After a good first-half where they more than matched their supposed superior opponents the Dolly Blues nicked the lead just inside the second-half.
They then spent 40 draining minutes defending in the October sunshine to repel wave after wave of FC United attack and keep in the hunt for a place in the elusive First round proper.
In an impressive first-half display the Dolly Blues more than proved that they can mix it at this level and perhaps should have earned a goal for their efforts.
Max Rothwell and Dodgson both had half-chances from the edge of the box that they scuffed wide before Dodgson narrowly missed the chance of the half.
He broke into the box after a Danny Hattersley flick-on, leaving a somewhat flat FC back four in his wake and lifted the ball over James Spencer in the home net, the unseasonable Autumn weather had left the Gigg lane pitch hard and it took a bounce before hitting the bar and being cleared.
At the other end FC danger man Carlos Roca had the edge in his captivating battle with Ryan Elderton – it was short-lived as the City full-back was immense in the second 45 to take Roca out of the game- and he masterminded the home side’s best chance, a disallowed goal from Ben Deegan after Roca had just ran the ball out for a goal kick before crossing.
If City were disappointed not to go in at the break with a goal they did not show it, coming out after the break with renewed confidence that was justified five minutes in.
An angled free-kick from deep on the left was delivered towards the back of the box by Elderton and headed into the danger area by Jack Duggan, the FC defence again dithered for long enough to allow Dodgson to nip in on the ‘keeper and slice the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper into the net.
The home side reacted by bringing Michael Carr and Matthew Wolfenden off the bench and it was evident that City were in for a battle.
It was perhaps, with hindsight, a dangerous game to play by the Dolly Blues as they set up camp to defend for forty long minutes they were far too deep at times and invited a lot of pressure.
However they were still, as always, dangerous on the counter, particularly through Dave Swarbrick who flew off the bench like a man possessed and it seemed like they would have enough in the tank to take their opponents all the way.
It took a monstrous effort and fair amount of luck to keep the United hordes at bay, striker Deegan missed an incredible four headers from six yards and only troubled Martin Fearon with one that he was more than a match for.
While the only other efforts of note involved the tricky Wolfenden and Mike Norton, the former broke into the box but scuffed a shot wide while Norton showed a great first touch to bring down a long pass and find space but his shot was easily saved.
Inevitably Swarbrick broke free on three occasions, hitting two ambitious efforts high and wide, one a cheeky lob that had Spencer scrambling, on the other lightening counter he showed excellent trickery to beat Lee Neville but after breaking into the box he should have pulled back for Joe Bunney who was unmarked.
The back four take all the plaudits for forty brave minutes of backs to the wall defending however special mention must go to Simon Wills who showed great energy in covering his back four alongside Alex Kenyon who showed great fighting spirit to boss the centre of the park.
In a scouting mission the Tuesday previous Tony Hesketh had watched FC beat Whitby Town 3-0 and had remarked that he thought they were vulnerable at the back and Dodgson and Rothwell certainly had their number for most of the game.
A brilliant performance from the Dolly Blues, who looked a drained yet jubilant bunch when the final whistle blew. The FA cup dream is still alive.
FC UNITED: Spencer, Jacobs, Neville, Cottrell, Jones, Stott, Roca, Battersby (Carr 57), Norton, Deegan, Grimshaw (Wolfenden 57)
Subs not used: Platt, Chadwick, McGreevy, Armstrong, Edwards
LANCASTER CITY: Fearon 8, Henry 8, Elderton 9, Duggan 8, Marshall 8, Kenyon 7, Clark 7 (Bunney 66), Wills 7, Hattersley 7 (Swarbrick 66), Dodgson 8 (Wood 72), Rothwell 7
Subs not used: Gregson, Hall, Meaney, Turner
Attendance: 1147
Referee: Matthew Walsh
Starman: Ryan Elderton - Difficult to split a tremendous back four but his second-half handling of Carlos Roca was awesome
Published on Monday 3 October 2011 11:50
Showing posts with label Lancaster Guardian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lancaster Guardian. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Hesketh eyes FC United cup upset
Source: Lancaster Guardian
TONY Hesketh believes his Lancaster City side can pull off an upset in Saturday’s FA cup tie with FC United of Manchester.
The tie is being billed as the Dolly Blues’ biggest game of their season so far and the manager believes his talented young side can get the win they need.
He said, “We have a chance, mark my words we have a chance. We will prepare for them as normal though I will have some extra information on them.
“We will set ourselves up well and then we go to a good pitch, a good stadium with a chance to acquit ourselves well and get the win.”
Dolly Blue chairman Mick Hoyle is also confident of his team’s chances and has urged fans to travel to Bury to support their club.
He said: “This is our biggest game of the season and we feel we have every chance to win.
“I would love to see Lancaster City supporters follow us on the road to Manchester.”
See the Lancaster Guardian (29-09-11) for full story.
Published on Thursday 29 September 2011 15:50
TONY Hesketh believes his Lancaster City side can pull off an upset in Saturday’s FA cup tie with FC United of Manchester.
The tie is being billed as the Dolly Blues’ biggest game of their season so far and the manager believes his talented young side can get the win they need.
He said, “We have a chance, mark my words we have a chance. We will prepare for them as normal though I will have some extra information on them.
“We will set ourselves up well and then we go to a good pitch, a good stadium with a chance to acquit ourselves well and get the win.”
Dolly Blue chairman Mick Hoyle is also confident of his team’s chances and has urged fans to travel to Bury to support their club.
He said: “This is our biggest game of the season and we feel we have every chance to win.
“I would love to see Lancaster City supporters follow us on the road to Manchester.”
See the Lancaster Guardian (29-09-11) for full story.
Published on Thursday 29 September 2011 15:50
Friday, September 23, 2011
‘Great cup tie’ for City at FC United
Source: Lancaster Guardian
LANCASTER City have been handed a mouth-watering FA Cup draw away to FC United of Manchester.
The Dolly Blues will travel to Gigg Lane for the second qualifying round tie on October 1 after the Manchester club defeated Woodley Sports 4-1 in their first round replay on Tuesday night.
City’s assistant boss Phil Brown said: “It’s a great cup tie. We’ve visited Gigg Lane a couple of times and we were unlucky the last time we went there, only losing in the last ten minutes of an FA Trophy replay.
“All the lads I’ve spoken to about the game were desperate for them to win (their replay on Tuesday night). It’ll be good to play in front of a decent crowd and on a good pitch. We’ll go there with no fear.
“It’ll be a good test for the younger lads in that arena and with it being an FA Cup game. We class every league game as a big game but it’s a football league ground and there’s the money attached with it and everything that comes with playing FC United.
“We’ll look at one or two things on the training field and see where the players are at but I’m sure they’ll acquit themselves well.”
After City’s 5-1 victory over Maine Road in the FA Cup last weekend they return to league action this Saturday with a visit to Harrogate Railway Athletic, who are currently 15th in the Evo-Stik First Division North and have won two and lost two at home so far this season.
See the Lancaster Guardian (22-09-11) for full story.
Published on Friday 23 September 2011 10:00
LANCASTER City have been handed a mouth-watering FA Cup draw away to FC United of Manchester.
The Dolly Blues will travel to Gigg Lane for the second qualifying round tie on October 1 after the Manchester club defeated Woodley Sports 4-1 in their first round replay on Tuesday night.
City’s assistant boss Phil Brown said: “It’s a great cup tie. We’ve visited Gigg Lane a couple of times and we were unlucky the last time we went there, only losing in the last ten minutes of an FA Trophy replay.
“All the lads I’ve spoken to about the game were desperate for them to win (their replay on Tuesday night). It’ll be good to play in front of a decent crowd and on a good pitch. We’ll go there with no fear.
“It’ll be a good test for the younger lads in that arena and with it being an FA Cup game. We class every league game as a big game but it’s a football league ground and there’s the money attached with it and everything that comes with playing FC United.
“We’ll look at one or two things on the training field and see where the players are at but I’m sure they’ll acquit themselves well.”
After City’s 5-1 victory over Maine Road in the FA Cup last weekend they return to league action this Saturday with a visit to Harrogate Railway Athletic, who are currently 15th in the Evo-Stik First Division North and have won two and lost two at home so far this season.
See the Lancaster Guardian (22-09-11) for full story.
Published on Friday 23 September 2011 10:00
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Lancaster City 3-3 FC United
Source: Lancaster Guardian
Published Date: 02 November 2009
LANCASTER CITY (1) 3
Sharrock 45, 86, Connerton 83
FC UNITED (2) 3
Yoffe 15, 21, Roca 75
FA TROPHY 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND
AN 86TH MINUTE equaliser from Roger Sharrocks kept Lancaster City in the FA Trophy at Giant Axe on Saturday.
Sharrock's second goal of the game and a superb strike from Jordan Connerton silenced FC United's travelling masses and forced a replay at
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Gigg lane, to be played this Wednesday.
The Dolly Blues got off to a nervy start, and were punished, they were two-nil down after 21 minutes.
First Joseph Yoffe caught City's back-line flat-footed, latching on to Jake Cottrell's pass he clipped a neat shot in off the right-hand post.
Six minutes later Yoffe struck again, the usually impeccable Martin Fearon fumbled a cross which fell at the striker's feet for an easy finish.
City did force a couple of good chances; first Paul Jarvis stung the 'keeper's gloves with a rasping effort, then Mike Rushton's shot was tipped onto the woodwork by Sam Ashton in the FC United net, he stood no chance of saving Connerton's header but again the bar denied City.
Fearon atoned for his earlier error with a stunning double save to deny Cotterell and then Phil Marsh as the game flew from end to end.
City finished the half on a high, nerves seemingly banished they started playing football and deservedly pulled a goal back through Roger Sharrock who poked home Connerton's fumbled strike.
The Dolly Blues showed excellent fighting spirit in a cracking second-half. They had the lion's share of the ball and territory and it looked like broken hearts all round when Carlos Roca hit a stunning third for the visitors.
However City do not give up this season, and they still pressed and pressed forward. Connerton, who else, hit back in style on 83 minutes.
Deftly taking Adam Farrell's pass with his heel he swivelled and half-volleyed an unstoppable effort into the net.
Sharrock secured the replay three minutes later after he found space and converted Max Rothwell's pass.
LANCASTER CITY: Fearon 6, Henry 7, Marshall 7, Teague 7, Stringfellow 7 (Rothwell 80), Ward D 8, Rushton 7 (Farrell 65), Ward C 7 (Wilson 80), Connerton 8, Jarvis 7, Sharrock 7
Subs not used: Beesley, Heffernan
FC UNITED: Ashton, Warrender, Qusitin, Moses, Tong, Nugent, Roca (Mack 84), Cottrell, Yoffe, Wright, Marsh (Deegan 69)
Subs not used: Carden, Garner, Neville
Referee Chris Backhouse
Attendance 743
STARMAN Dominic Ward Never stops running, some key interceptions
Published Date: 02 November 2009
LANCASTER CITY (1) 3
Sharrock 45, 86, Connerton 83
FC UNITED (2) 3
Yoffe 15, 21, Roca 75
FA TROPHY 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND
AN 86TH MINUTE equaliser from Roger Sharrocks kept Lancaster City in the FA Trophy at Giant Axe on Saturday.
Sharrock's second goal of the game and a superb strike from Jordan Connerton silenced FC United's travelling masses and forced a replay at
ADVERTISEMENT
Gigg lane, to be played this Wednesday.
The Dolly Blues got off to a nervy start, and were punished, they were two-nil down after 21 minutes.
First Joseph Yoffe caught City's back-line flat-footed, latching on to Jake Cottrell's pass he clipped a neat shot in off the right-hand post.
Six minutes later Yoffe struck again, the usually impeccable Martin Fearon fumbled a cross which fell at the striker's feet for an easy finish.
City did force a couple of good chances; first Paul Jarvis stung the 'keeper's gloves with a rasping effort, then Mike Rushton's shot was tipped onto the woodwork by Sam Ashton in the FC United net, he stood no chance of saving Connerton's header but again the bar denied City.
Fearon atoned for his earlier error with a stunning double save to deny Cotterell and then Phil Marsh as the game flew from end to end.
City finished the half on a high, nerves seemingly banished they started playing football and deservedly pulled a goal back through Roger Sharrock who poked home Connerton's fumbled strike.
The Dolly Blues showed excellent fighting spirit in a cracking second-half. They had the lion's share of the ball and territory and it looked like broken hearts all round when Carlos Roca hit a stunning third for the visitors.
However City do not give up this season, and they still pressed and pressed forward. Connerton, who else, hit back in style on 83 minutes.
Deftly taking Adam Farrell's pass with his heel he swivelled and half-volleyed an unstoppable effort into the net.
Sharrock secured the replay three minutes later after he found space and converted Max Rothwell's pass.
LANCASTER CITY: Fearon 6, Henry 7, Marshall 7, Teague 7, Stringfellow 7 (Rothwell 80), Ward D 8, Rushton 7 (Farrell 65), Ward C 7 (Wilson 80), Connerton 8, Jarvis 7, Sharrock 7
Subs not used: Beesley, Heffernan
FC UNITED: Ashton, Warrender, Qusitin, Moses, Tong, Nugent, Roca (Mack 84), Cottrell, Yoffe, Wright, Marsh (Deegan 69)
Subs not used: Carden, Garner, Neville
Referee Chris Backhouse
Attendance 743
STARMAN Dominic Ward Never stops running, some key interceptions
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
FC United 5-2 Lancaster City
Lancaster City failed to press home a dream start and slumped to a third consecutive defeat in front of almost 3,000 people.
Mark Jackson gave City a shock lead after just two minutes and shortly after the hosts equalised, Aaron Helliwell made it 2-1 with a composed finish.
But FC United of Manchester immediately hit back and ran out clear winners in the end.
City striker Jackson stunned the home crowd after just two minutes when he raced clear beyond the last defender and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
However, FC United responded well and punished some sloppy City defending on 14 minutes.
The unmarked Stuart Rudd chested down a lofted pass and dinked the ball over an advancing Ben Price - again deputising for the injured Mark Thornley - from close range.
To their credit, City continued to look dangerous and unexpectedly restored their lead.
Midfielder Helliwell made room for himself in a congested penalty area and arrowed a left-footed shot into the far corner.
But on this occasion City's lead lasted less than two minutes as FC United scored the game's fourth goal after just 20 minutes, home midfielder Rob Nugent heading home a corner.
Both sides continued to surge forward at a frantic pace and Craig Redhead saw an effort parried away by Ashton.
But a dreadful mistake from shot-stopper Price swung the match in FC United's favour. On 28 minutes, the youngster failed to hold onto Rory Patterson's harmless long-range effort and the ball trickled into the net.
However, City ended the half on a high as Jackson struck a venomous effort against the bar, while Mike Rushton and Tom Entwisle also came close to scoring.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Price suffered a nasty blow to the face after spilling a shot which a home forward looked to retrieve in a 50-50 challenge.
The visitors started brightly after the interval and should have equalised. Helliwell was denied by the feet of Ashton, while Rushton fired an effort inches wide.
But City paid the price for not converting their chances as top-scorer Patterson completed a brace with a neat close-range finish on 54 minutes.
Nugent grabbed his second and FC United's fifth with 20 minutes left when he powerfully headed home another corner.
City continued to pose a threat in the closing stages as Rushton was thwarted at point-blank range, while the excellent Jackson thumped a free-kick against the bar.
At the other end, Price atoned for his earlier blunder by making three superb saves in the last 10 minutes.
Lancaster City: Price, Uberschar, Redhead, Heffernan, Swan, Stringfellow, Rushton (Rigby 77), Entwisle, Love (Jeffrey 65), Jackson, Helliwell.
Referee: M. J Denton.Attendance: 2,704.
Last Updated: 15 April 2008 12:18 PM
Mark Jackson gave City a shock lead after just two minutes and shortly after the hosts equalised, Aaron Helliwell made it 2-1 with a composed finish.
But FC United of Manchester immediately hit back and ran out clear winners in the end.
City striker Jackson stunned the home crowd after just two minutes when he raced clear beyond the last defender and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
However, FC United responded well and punished some sloppy City defending on 14 minutes.
The unmarked Stuart Rudd chested down a lofted pass and dinked the ball over an advancing Ben Price - again deputising for the injured Mark Thornley - from close range.
To their credit, City continued to look dangerous and unexpectedly restored their lead.
Midfielder Helliwell made room for himself in a congested penalty area and arrowed a left-footed shot into the far corner.
But on this occasion City's lead lasted less than two minutes as FC United scored the game's fourth goal after just 20 minutes, home midfielder Rob Nugent heading home a corner.
Both sides continued to surge forward at a frantic pace and Craig Redhead saw an effort parried away by Ashton.
But a dreadful mistake from shot-stopper Price swung the match in FC United's favour. On 28 minutes, the youngster failed to hold onto Rory Patterson's harmless long-range effort and the ball trickled into the net.
However, City ended the half on a high as Jackson struck a venomous effort against the bar, while Mike Rushton and Tom Entwisle also came close to scoring.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Price suffered a nasty blow to the face after spilling a shot which a home forward looked to retrieve in a 50-50 challenge.
The visitors started brightly after the interval and should have equalised. Helliwell was denied by the feet of Ashton, while Rushton fired an effort inches wide.
But City paid the price for not converting their chances as top-scorer Patterson completed a brace with a neat close-range finish on 54 minutes.
Nugent grabbed his second and FC United's fifth with 20 minutes left when he powerfully headed home another corner.
City continued to pose a threat in the closing stages as Rushton was thwarted at point-blank range, while the excellent Jackson thumped a free-kick against the bar.
At the other end, Price atoned for his earlier blunder by making three superb saves in the last 10 minutes.
Lancaster City: Price, Uberschar, Redhead, Heffernan, Swan, Stringfellow, Rushton (Rigby 77), Entwisle, Love (Jeffrey 65), Jackson, Helliwell.
Referee: M. J Denton.Attendance: 2,704.
Last Updated: 15 April 2008 12:18 PM
Monday, March 31, 2008
FC United 2-2 Lancaster City
Battling Lancaster City stunned a crowd of almost 2,000 people and snatched a deserved point on Saturday after Dave Foster's dramatic last-minute strike.
Foster tucked the ball into an empty net after home goalkeeper Sam Ashton completely missed a routine clearance on a waterlogged Gigg Lane pitch.
Both sides almost grabbed victory in the four minutes of stoppage time which followed but the score somehow remained level.
Mike Rushton – who scored his first goal for the club - gave City a first-half lead but FC United of Manchester hit back with strikes just before and after half-time.
The eagerly-awaited fixture was nearly called off prior to kick-off after heavy rain caused considerable damage to the playing surface.
As rain continued to fall during play, the second half resumed around 20 minutes late. The referee felt more time was needed for badly-affected areas of the pitch to dry out.
Afterwards City boss Barrie Stimpson said: "We deserved a lead at half-time but had a terrible 10 minutes after the break.
"With their support we could have gone three, four or even five goals down but we showed some character to fight back and deserved a point in the end."
Stimpson made two changes after his side's 2-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton. Striker Mark Jackson started up front alongside Foster and replaced Dave Swarbrick following his move to FC United. Tom Entwisle made way for winger Rushton.
City started brightly and posed a threat on 12 minutes when the impressive Rushton saw a shot deflected wide after excellent work from Foster on the right-hand side.
Promotion-chasing FC United created their first chance six minutes later when Jamie Baguley's shot was parried away by visiting goalkeeper Mark Thornley.
Foster's last-gasp leveller was fortunate but there was nothing lucky about City's opener on 20 minutes.
Aaron Helliwell's defence-splitting pass sent Foster clear on goal but the marksman opted to pass rather than shoot. He slid the ball beyond shot-stopper Ashton and picked out Rushton who neatly finished off the move.
City's Jackson tested Ashton with a half-volley moments later but FC United responded well and began to look increasingly dangerous.
There was a close call for City on the half-hour mark when home defender Rob Nugent struck the bar from Jerome Wright's teasing corner.
The hosts made their sustained pressure count on 41 minutes when Jamie Baguley's left-footed drive was deflected home by midfielder Adam Carden.
FC United nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time when leading-scorer Rory Patterson beat Thornley but poked the ball inches wide.
The second half continued in a similar vein after the delay as sloppy City man-marking led to FC United's second goal.
On 49 minutes, the lively Jamie Baguley found too much space at the near post and headed home Wright's inswinging corner.
The hosts grew in confidence and almost netted a third when striker Nick Robinson saw a goal-bound effort palmed away by the impressive Thornley.
Passing soon became increasingly difficult as strong showers impaired the pitch further. But the weather failed to ruin a thrilling contest as both sides battled for every ball.
With 12 minutes left, FC United striker Robinson spurned a glorious chance to seal victory when he struck the ball wide from point-blank range.
City defiantly refused to give up and almost equalised when midfielder Chris Baguley headed against his own bar from substitute Paul Rigby's cross.
But City's tireless effort was finally rewarded with just a minute left following an unforgettable blunder by home goalkeeper Ashton.
When Ashton failed to connect with sub Entwisle's lofted ball, the outstanding Foster sprinted forward and calmly applied a deft finish.
In injury time FC United's Robinson saw a header brilliantly saved by Thornley, while Foster and Jackson came agonisingly close at the other end.
Foster rounded goalkeeper Ashton and saw a goal-bound effort blocked before Jackson's venomous rebound deflected off a defender and flashed wide.
City: Thornley 8, Greenwood 7 (Rigby 45), Marshall 7, Heffernan 7, Swan 8, Stringfellow 7, Rushton 8 (Redhead 84), Uberschar 7, Foster 9, Jackson 7, Helliwell 7 (Entwisle 68)
FC United: Ashton, Foster, Howard, J. Baguley (Holden 86), Chadwick, Nugent, A. Carden (S. Carden 53), C. Baguley, Robinson, Wright, Patterson. Unused sub: Bleau
Starman: Dave Foster scored one, set up another and never stopped running
Referee: J. L Madine
Attendance: 1,859
Last Updated: 31 March 2008 9:38 AM
Foster tucked the ball into an empty net after home goalkeeper Sam Ashton completely missed a routine clearance on a waterlogged Gigg Lane pitch.
Both sides almost grabbed victory in the four minutes of stoppage time which followed but the score somehow remained level.
Mike Rushton – who scored his first goal for the club - gave City a first-half lead but FC United of Manchester hit back with strikes just before and after half-time.
The eagerly-awaited fixture was nearly called off prior to kick-off after heavy rain caused considerable damage to the playing surface.
As rain continued to fall during play, the second half resumed around 20 minutes late. The referee felt more time was needed for badly-affected areas of the pitch to dry out.
Afterwards City boss Barrie Stimpson said: "We deserved a lead at half-time but had a terrible 10 minutes after the break.
"With their support we could have gone three, four or even five goals down but we showed some character to fight back and deserved a point in the end."
Stimpson made two changes after his side's 2-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton. Striker Mark Jackson started up front alongside Foster and replaced Dave Swarbrick following his move to FC United. Tom Entwisle made way for winger Rushton.
City started brightly and posed a threat on 12 minutes when the impressive Rushton saw a shot deflected wide after excellent work from Foster on the right-hand side.
Promotion-chasing FC United created their first chance six minutes later when Jamie Baguley's shot was parried away by visiting goalkeeper Mark Thornley.
Foster's last-gasp leveller was fortunate but there was nothing lucky about City's opener on 20 minutes.
Aaron Helliwell's defence-splitting pass sent Foster clear on goal but the marksman opted to pass rather than shoot. He slid the ball beyond shot-stopper Ashton and picked out Rushton who neatly finished off the move.
City's Jackson tested Ashton with a half-volley moments later but FC United responded well and began to look increasingly dangerous.
There was a close call for City on the half-hour mark when home defender Rob Nugent struck the bar from Jerome Wright's teasing corner.
The hosts made their sustained pressure count on 41 minutes when Jamie Baguley's left-footed drive was deflected home by midfielder Adam Carden.
FC United nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time when leading-scorer Rory Patterson beat Thornley but poked the ball inches wide.
The second half continued in a similar vein after the delay as sloppy City man-marking led to FC United's second goal.
On 49 minutes, the lively Jamie Baguley found too much space at the near post and headed home Wright's inswinging corner.
The hosts grew in confidence and almost netted a third when striker Nick Robinson saw a goal-bound effort palmed away by the impressive Thornley.
Passing soon became increasingly difficult as strong showers impaired the pitch further. But the weather failed to ruin a thrilling contest as both sides battled for every ball.
With 12 minutes left, FC United striker Robinson spurned a glorious chance to seal victory when he struck the ball wide from point-blank range.
City defiantly refused to give up and almost equalised when midfielder Chris Baguley headed against his own bar from substitute Paul Rigby's cross.
But City's tireless effort was finally rewarded with just a minute left following an unforgettable blunder by home goalkeeper Ashton.
When Ashton failed to connect with sub Entwisle's lofted ball, the outstanding Foster sprinted forward and calmly applied a deft finish.
In injury time FC United's Robinson saw a header brilliantly saved by Thornley, while Foster and Jackson came agonisingly close at the other end.
Foster rounded goalkeeper Ashton and saw a goal-bound effort blocked before Jackson's venomous rebound deflected off a defender and flashed wide.
City: Thornley 8, Greenwood 7 (Rigby 45), Marshall 7, Heffernan 7, Swan 8, Stringfellow 7, Rushton 8 (Redhead 84), Uberschar 7, Foster 9, Jackson 7, Helliwell 7 (Entwisle 68)
FC United: Ashton, Foster, Howard, J. Baguley (Holden 86), Chadwick, Nugent, A. Carden (S. Carden 53), C. Baguley, Robinson, Wright, Patterson. Unused sub: Bleau
Starman: Dave Foster scored one, set up another and never stopped running
Referee: J. L Madine
Attendance: 1,859
Last Updated: 31 March 2008 9:38 AM
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Swarbrick returns to FC United
DAVE Swarbrick has left Lancaster City to return to FC United, who play City on Saturday.
Swarbrick informed City boss Barrie Stimpson of his decision on Wednesday night despite earlier in the week indicating he wanted to stay at Giant Axe.
Now he could line up against City at Gigg Lane on Saturday, having already played against Lancaster this season on the opening day when City beat FC United 2-1.
Stimpson said: "I am disappointed with the way that it has happened.
"I would have liked to have him as part of the squad as I think he has been our liveliest player in the last two games.
"I can understand the pull of FC United in the short term but I wonder whether in the long term he may be making the wrong decision.
"But it is not devastating news and life goes on. We have Mike Rushton who plays in the same position and we have not seen the best of him yet."
Stimpson also indicated there could be more changes towards the end of the season as he prepares for the 2008-09 campaign.
Last Updated: 27 March 2008 10:58 AM
Swarbrick informed City boss Barrie Stimpson of his decision on Wednesday night despite earlier in the week indicating he wanted to stay at Giant Axe.
Now he could line up against City at Gigg Lane on Saturday, having already played against Lancaster this season on the opening day when City beat FC United 2-1.
Stimpson said: "I am disappointed with the way that it has happened.
"I would have liked to have him as part of the squad as I think he has been our liveliest player in the last two games.
"I can understand the pull of FC United in the short term but I wonder whether in the long term he may be making the wrong decision.
"But it is not devastating news and life goes on. We have Mike Rushton who plays in the same position and we have not seen the best of him yet."
Stimpson also indicated there could be more changes towards the end of the season as he prepares for the 2008-09 campaign.
Last Updated: 27 March 2008 10:58 AM
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