We’re title challengers

Source: Salford Advertiser

Salford City 2
FC United 1

SALFORD City’s stunning comeback win against FC United has strengthened Gary Fellows’ belief that his side can challenge for the title this season.

Stoppage time strikes from Jamie Bagguley and Nick Robinson ended table-topping United’s record equalling run of 12 straight victories in the North West Counties League first division.

City’s players ran their hearts out in front of the club’s biggest ever crowd of 4,058 at Salford City Reds’ Willows stadium. They had the better of the chances and the result lifted City up to third in the table, eight points behind FC with a game in hand.

Salford manager Fellows said: "We can definitely challenge for the title. We have got the players for it. It’s a young squad but a very good squad."

FC looked to have pulled off a smash and grab raid when Josh Howard opened the scoring on 80 minutes. Salford’s defence switched off from a free kick and Howard slotted an angled shot past goalkeeper Andy Moores.

Salford needed a saviour and substitute Bagguley stepped up to the plate.

How ironic that it was a former Manchester United youth team player who ended up breaking the rebel reds’ hearts!

Bagguley’s stunning 30-yard free kick levelled matters as the game drifted into injury time. It flew into the top corner to send the ‘home’ fans into raptures.

And the decibels raised even higher when Nick Robinson chested down Bagguley’s cross and drilled the ball under on-rushing goalkeeper Sam Ashton.

Dale Whitehead had earlier hit the FC bar with a speculative curler from outside the box while defender Andrew Pendlebury cleared a shot from Rory Patterson off City’s line.

Salford came into the FC United game on the back of a 6-1 victory at lowly Stone Dominoes on Saturday.

They showed breathtaking form and scored goals via John Robinson (3), Tunje Moses, Mattie Burke and Bagguley.

Bagguley’s classy long range drive was the pick of the bunch.

City’s next league game will be at home to Congleton Town on Tuesday, October 10, kick-off 7.45pm. Before that, Salford will host Blackpool Mechanics at Moor Lane in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, October 7, kick-off 3pm.

City’s youth team won Sunday’s top of the table clash at Bootle 3-1. Their goals were scored by Lathan Forrester, Curtis Connell and free kick specialist Richard Dunn.

First published by the Salford Advertiser

Padiham fans plea

Source: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

By Telegraph newsdesk

PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes has appealed to local football fans to come out and support his side on Saturday as they face big spending FC United in the FA Vase.

The Manchester side are expected to bring up to 1400 fans to the Arbories and Wilkes fears a poor home support could cost them before a ball has even been kicked.

He said: "It'd be nice if we could get Blackburn and Burnley supporters down.

"They're going to have about 1400 fans to our 200 which means they'll have a huge psychological advantage."

Nick silences the Rebel yell

Source: M.E.N.

By Stuart Brennan

Salford City 2-1 FC United

SALFORD wrecked FC United's record winning streak with two late goals in front of 4,058 fans at the Willows last night.

Super sub Jamie Bagguley crashed in a 30-yard free kick to draw the Tangerines level and in injury time Nick Robinson scored a deserved second to prevent the Rebels from clocking up a 13th straight win.

FC had taken the lead through Josh Howard with ten minutes to go, when keeper Sam Ashton picked him out from 60 yards with a great free kick and the former Manchester United youth team captain smashed a volley across Salford keeper Andy Moores.

But the Salford team rose to a great non-league occasion, and so did Salford folk. They turned out in their droves to support their local team, some curious, some with a sense of civic duty, as well as a smattering of confused rugby league types.

The city's Mayor was there, and British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore was spotted wandering to the stadium, dressed in a pair of flowery red and white beach shorts!

Delayed

The crowds built up outside, with kick-off twice delayed. By the time they had made their way through the foul weather, there was the kind of attendance which the Willows normally gets for a Super League game.

Salford were clearly fired up for the match, hammering into tackles and disrupting FC's usual passing game.

They also created more first half chances, Matty Eckersley firing just wide and Dale Whitehead hitting the bar from 25 yards.

But it was the visitors who had the best chance of the half, Matty Taylor swinging in a cross from deep on the right. Top scorer Stuart Rudd stretched out a toe but Salford keeper Moores made a terrific reflex save to keep it out.

The second half was tight and competitive, the Salford support loving it when sub Tunji Moses - son of former Manchester United midfielder Remi - was booked for a two-footed assault on Will Ahern.

But when Salford snatched it late on, there were few arguments that they were worth the victory.

Unlucky 13 for rebel Reds

Edited from: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC UNITED failed to rewrite the North West Counties League record books when they fell to their first defeat of the season in dramatic fashion at Salford City.

A crowd of more than 4,000 turned up at the Willows to see of the breakaway club could secure a 13th consecutive victory league win and eclipse Skelmersdale's record set last season.

The Division One leaders looked like they would continue their 100 per cent start to the campaign when Josh Howard fired United into an 80th minute lead.
continued...

But Salford struck twice in injury time through substitute Jamie Baggueley and Nick Robinson to end United's run - just as they had ended Skelmersdale's 12 months ago.

SALFORD PUT AN END TO FC UNITED RUN

Source: NonLeagueDaily.com

FC United of Manchester’s 100% record in the North West Counties League Division One was blown apart on Tuesday night as neighbours Salford City snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory in an explosive encounter in front of an amazing attendance of 4,058 at The Willows.

It turned out to be unlucky 13 for United as Salford put an end to the Reds’ twelve-game unbeaten run and stopped them achieving the best ever start to a NWCL Division One season.

A wet night at The Willows saw both sides struggle to find their footing on a skiddy surface early on. David Chadwick and Robert Nugent were kept busy at the back and the home side were unlucky not to take the lead when Whitehead’s 30 yard screamer hit the bar with Sam Ashton beaten.

United’s first real opportunity came after 25 minutes. Chadwick found himself unmarked from a Josh Howard corner, but the captain’s header sailed slowly wide.

With half time approaching, Rory Patterson beat three men with extraordinary ease down the right wing before moving infield and into the box. He seemed sure to score before a vital goal line clearance from McNally saved Salford’s blushes.

Both sides fought hard in the second half and even banner waving pitch invaders couldn’t divert attention away from what was becoming a gripping battle.

After nearly 80 minutes of a tough tackling stalemate, Howard looked to have grabbed all three points for the Reds when he latched on to Ashton’s free kick over the top before finishing calmly to make it 1-0.

But Salford had other ideas. With seconds left on the clock, City won a free kick roughly 25 yards out and substitute Nick Bagguley stepped up to curl it magnificently round the wall and into the right hand corner of Ashton’s goal.

A draw could well have been the fair result as both teams had fought well and had an equal amount of chances, but Salford threw men forwards for a late winner and there was a crushing inevitability that it would be the home side that would snatched it at the end.

Deep into injury-time, a tired looking United switched off allowing Nick Robinson to wrestle his way on to a cross field ball 3 minutes into time added on before slipping it past Ashton to send Salford away happy.

(Mark Swanwick)

Arbories Prepares For Big Day

Edited from: burnleytoday.co.uk

PADIHAM are expecting their biggest crowd for over 50 years on Saturday.

The Storks play host to FC United in the first round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

And it is set to be an afternoon to remember, against undoubtedly the competition favourites.

The breakaway club will arrive at the Arbories on the crest of a wave.
United have won all 12 league matches so far, after scooping the North West Counties League Second Division title last time out.

And that presents a huge task for the Storks, but one that manager Steve Wilkes will no doubt relish.

The game has been made an all-ticket affair on police advice, with tickets now on sale in Padiham town centre.

On sale all week from the Padiham life office in the town hall, the Bridge Inn Pub and Mark Jinkinson Optometrists, tickets are priced at £7 for adults and £2 for Under 16s.

And the club are hoping that local football fans will turn out to be part of what will be a quite unique occasion.

Supporter parking is a major concern, with officials warning that access to Well Street and the club car park will not be possible.

And fans are asked to arrive at the ground early, with the game scheduled for a 3 p.m. kick-off.

Further information on the game is available from secretary Alan Smith (07775 717698).

FC United’s chance to get in record book

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC United have a chance to rewrite the North West Counties League's record books for the number of consecutive victories when they travel to rivals Salford City tonight.

The Division One leaders equalled Skelmersdale's previous best of 12 wins in a row, set last term, against Bacup Borough at the weekend, and will now hope to go one better.

"I am very proud of the players and the fantastic run they have been on," said Reds manager Karl Marginson, whose side top the table by seven points. "We've won 13 games (League and Cup) now and I hope we can win the next 13 too."
continued...

The game has been switched to Salford City Reds rugby league ground, The Willows.

Meanwhile, Atherton Collieries beat Elton Vale 8-7 on penalties in the Goldline Trophy quarter-final last night.

The game ended 1-1 after extra time, Mark Prince scoring for Colls.

Unlucky 13 for FC

Source: BBC Website

By Jamie Murphy

FC United’s 12-game winning streak was blown apart by Salford City FC in an explosive last 10 minutes of a hard fought game at the Willows on Tuesday night (03.10.06)

North West Counties Football League - Division 1 (2006/07)
Salford City FC 2 - FC United 1

Goals:
Bagguley 90 (Salford City)
J. Robinson 92 (Salford City)
Howard 80 (FC United)

Salford City:
Moores, Whitehead, Watson, Pendlebury, Watson, Burke, McNally, Whitehead, J. Robinson, N. Robinson, Eckersley

Substituted:
Whitehead for Bancroft (84)
Watson for Moses (65)
McNally for Bagguley (65)

FC United:
Ashton, Taylor, Mortimer, Spencer, Chadwick (capt), Coyne, Howard, Ahern, Rudd, Orr, Patterson

Substituted:
Coyne for Smith (39)
Orr for Giggs (78)
Patterson for Orr (62)
Attendance: 4,058

Going into the game against 4th placed Salford City, top of the league FC United were hoping to extend their winning run to 13 and make the North West Counties League record books.

But standing in their way were a resolute Moor Lane outfit that stopped Skelmersdale in their tracks with the same number of wins only last season. And it was to be unlucky 13 for the Rebel Reds to, in a tense atmosphere at Salford Reds Rugby ground the Willows.

Given the proximity and close footballing ties between the two teams (Karl Marginson and Darren Lyons are among a number of former Salford City players now with FC), it was hoped that a loud but congenial atmosphere would grace the terraces. But even before the game rumours of a protest staged by a group of Manchester United fans, angered by the perceived disloyalty of the Rebel Reds, promised to add an edge to the fixture.

Sure enough as the 4,058 fans took their places around the stands a small group of said fans made their presence felt. Among them were the faces of known hooligans who, though banned from football grounds, were allowed into the rugby ground for the game.

From the kick off, Salford City made it abundantly clear they were not here to watch North Counties League history being made at their expense. Indeed the team in tangerine almost took the lead when No. 8 Dale Whitehead lashed a 30 yard shot onto the bar with FC ‘keeper Sam Aston beaten.

After 25 minutes, FC’s first opportunity came to captain David Chadwick who unmarked, headed the ball wide from a Josh Howard corner. The two teams remained deadlocked until, with the half time whistle minutes away, Rory Patterson with the ball at Salford’s corner and shadowed by two defenders, managed to turn them both and skilfully cut inside another to release a goal bound shot, beating the Salford ‘keeper, only to see it courageously cleared off the line by Lee McNally.

As the rain poured down in the second half both sides fought hard to gain control of the game, with Salford putting in some strong and often scieving challenges on the skiddy surface, one such resulting in a minor fracas and a yellow card for one tangerine tormentor.

It was around this time that things off the pitch started to get a little unsavoury. Following a pitch invasion by two fans carrying a banner denouncing FCUM as Judases, a large and organised group of ‘Salford’ fans, who had infiltrated the FC supporters located in the Shed, began to aggressively goad the Rebel Reds. Many FC fans attending with young families left the Shed area and real conflict (if that was the intention of the provocation), was avoided. Instead FC fans replied with chants of ‘Glazer lap dogs’ (to politely paraphrase) and helpful tips on where the banner wavers could put their Judas.

Meanwhile back on the pitch with ten minutes to play, Josh Howard excellently controlled Sam Ashton’s long-range free kick before releasing a thunderous shot into Salford’s net. But victory was far from assured and FC took their foot off the pedal while Salford fought on to the finish, with substitute Nick Bagguley scoring the equaliser on the 89th minute with an inch perfect free kick that curled around the wall and past Ashton.

If that brought the home crowd to their feet then the following minutes brought an eruption when in extra time Salford’s Jon Robinson, slipped past some slack defending to slide the ball between the legs of Ashton to net the winner for the home team. Salford City had deservedly won their cup final, while FC perhaps had their eyes on Saturday’s FA Vase game against Padiham.

last updated: 06/10/06

Salford City gear up for the Rebels

Source: M.E.N.

By STUART BRENNAN

FC UNITED could be facing another first tonight – the first time their huge non-league support has ever been outnumbered by the opposition!

The runaway Rebels, who have won a recordequalling 12 on the bounce at the start of their NW Counties League first division season, take on local rivals Salford City in a match shifted to the Willows rugby league ground (7.45pm).

Salford officials are expecting a crowd of more than 4,000.

FC normally take between 1,200 and 2,000 to away games, but Salford have launched a mass publicity campaign throughout the city to boost the gate, which is expected to surpass the Salford City record of 3,000 when they played Whickham in the FA Vase in 1981.

“Our players are really up for it, and we have had a good month, winning eight and losing one, so we are hoping we can peg a few points back on FC United,” said Salford secretary Bill Taylor. Rebels’ boss Karl Marginson is savouring the challenge: “My assistant Phil Power is a Salford lad, and he says everyone in Salford appears to be going. I even spoke to one lad who said there could be 10,000.

“It could be the first time our fans are outnumbered, and football-wise it will be a big test for us, because they are a decent side. If we win we will have won 14 on the bounce in all competitions, another league record.”

FC welcome back Rob Nugent to a defence which has kept eight clean sheets in their 12 games, but they will have to cope with former Manchester United winger Ben Thornley, midfielder Matty Burke – who had trials at Stockport County in the summer – and former FC goalkeeping hero Barry George.

The game has revived memories of the Lowther Shield final between Salford Sunday League arch-rivals Grove and Wellington in 1948 which attracted a staggering 18,000 people to the rugby ground and the winners went home in an open-topped bus.

Red feat

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson spoke of his pride as his team equalled the North West County’s League record of 12 consecutive victories.

Their a 3-0 victory over Bacup Borough at Gigg Lane matched Skelmersdale United’s previous effort.

Goals from Stuart Rudd, Liam Coyne and an own-goal from Bacup’s Simon Myerscough gave them the win in front of a bumper 3,268 crowd.

“I’m really proud of the lads and hopefully we’ll carry on in the same style,” said Karl.