Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Clitheroe FC 1, FCUM 1 - MATCH ABANDONED

FLOODLIGHT FAILURE
By Adrian Capstick

FLOODLIGHT failure brought Clitheroe's home game against FC United of Manchester to a premature end on Tuesday night.

With just under 60 minutes played of this competitive fixture and over 900 fans in attendance, half the lights in the ground went out when the Blues had looked keen for their first league victory of the season.

United took the lead on 37 minutes with a well-taken strike by Rory Patterson, before Craig Sargeson equalised just before break.

The Bury-based side were a threat throughout, very quick on the attack and dangerous on the counter, but the Blues had the most chances of the first half thanks to a sprightly Peter Smith.

The Clitheroe player-manager put players half his age in the shade, belying his 42 years to push the side forward at every opportunity, using the right wing to full advantage.

Clitheroe's Chris Ward pinged a header over the bar when Smith got the better of left back Shaun Roscoe.

And Ward had a good shout for a penalty when he turned right back Matty Taylor and was tripped in the box only to see it waved away.

Patterson and Jerome Wright proved tricky in the United attack, connected in a flowing move with Nicky Platt that saw the former rifle past James Mann.

Clitheroe's equaliser came courtesy of some Joel Byrom trickery, the forward weaving his way past two challenges only to be intercepted by Taylor, the ball spilled, and Sargeson was at hand to lap up a shot past Sam Ashton.

But at 9 p.m. the lights went out, leaving the result very much in the balance.

Clitheroe: Mann, Koslowski, Clarke, Fletcher, Anderson, McKenna, Smith, P. Osbourne, Ward, Byrom, Sargeson. Subs: Daniels, Stansfield, Jackson.

Last Updated: 11 September 2007 10:44 PM

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

FC left in the dark

Source: Bury Times

By Staff Sports Reporter

FC United's Unibond First Division North game at Clitheroe was abandoned after 58 minutes due to a floodlight failure last night.

The scoreline was standing at 1-1 when the lights went out and club officials were unable to switch them back on.

Rory Patterson had put the Rebels ahead before Clitheroe levelled.

Blues up for Rebels test

Source: Lancashire Telegraph

By Gavin Gibbon

Clitheroe co-manager Neil Reynolds is hoping a win tonight against FC United at Shawbridge can launch the Blues' season in UniBond Division One North.

Reynolds' side has taken just one point from 15 this season and will be missing goalkeeper Pete Collinge, Will Exton and Ryan Fisher, while they are sweating on the fitness of John Osbourne.

But he said: "We haven't started well, but I'm hoping this can kick start our season.

"It's a fantastic fixture for the club and it's one we're all really looking forward to."

Chris Ward returns from injury.

Gates open at 6pm, kick off 7.45pm

Monday, September 10, 2007

George shines for FC United

Stuart Brennan
10/ 9/2007

FC UNITED'S joy at a third successive league win - 2-0 over Harrogate Railway - was tempered by news that key midfielder Josh Howard will be out of action for three months.

The former Manchester United youth team captain had a knee operation on Friday, and it was discovered that the injury was worse than first thought and he will miss a large chunk of the season.

But manager Karl Marginson is not too perturbed after seeing Howard's replacement Liam George put in a fine performance as the Rebels proved too strong for Harrogate on Saturday.
George was at the heart of most of FC's best football.

He is in line to start again tomorrow night, when a win at Clitheroe would boost them into the promotion play-off zone for the first time.

And Marginson feels he has landed another quality act: "It's a blow losing Josh but Liam has now given me two good performances, and will get even better with a few games under his belt."

FC eased to victory, missing a hatful of chances. Simon Carden hooked in the opener on 13 minutes.

And it was the irrepressible Rory Patterson, now top scorer in the UniBond League first division, who hammered the second goal through a crowded penalty area after 52 minutes to secure the win.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

It's a twist of romance for Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Extract from: Pikes restore iron to ranks

By Tony Kelly

It's a twist of romance for Harrogate Railway Athletic.

The Rail head across the Pennines to visit the Bury FC base of FC United of Manchester, the team which rose from the after-taste of the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United. That prompted the formation of a new club which has enjoyed three promotions.

10:54am Friday 7th September 2007

Friday, September 07, 2007

Railway primed for United clash

Railway primed for United clash
By Staff Copy

HARROGATE Railway face one of their biggest games of the season tomorrow when they tackle the might of FC United of Manchester away at Gigg Lane (3pm kick-off).

Their hosts - formed in the aftermath of Malcolm Glazer’s hostile takeover of Manchester United in 2005 - steamrollered through to win the North West Counties League Division One last season.

They have continued their rich vein of form into the 2007/08 UniBond Divison One North campaign and are currently on a two game unbeaten run.

FCUM also have potent striker Rory Patterson at their disposal who replicated his goalscoring heroics from last year by bagging four already this term.

Brockie knows all about Patterson’s reputation but is confident his Rail’ outfit can attack United’s shaky defence.

“When the fixtures first came out this was the one all the boys looked for straight away,” said Brockie.

“We’re all looking forward to playing on a league ground and in-front of a big crowd as they’ve been consistently getting 2000 plus to their home games.

“I’ve been speaking to a few managers in the league and they’ve all told me Patterson is their dangerman.

“But I’ve also been told their defence can be a little shaky so that’s something we’ll have to look at and target.”

Rail’ are desperate for a three-point win to claw their way back up the table.

Brockie’s men are without a victory in two league games but with last weekend’s morale boosting FA Cup triumph the side will be confident heading into the game.

On Saturday Rail’ moved safely through into the next round of the FA Cup following their 4-1 win over Northern League outfit Esh Winning.

Goals from Richard Marshall, Dave Conway and a brace by Danny Forrest sealed the result.
Brockie’s side will face Northern League Division One outfit Chester-le-Street in the next round eight days from now.

“The Chester-le game will be another difficult one but we’re confident. We really want a good run in the competition this season,” added Brockie.

Meanwhile a further page in the history of Harrogate Railway FC was turned this week when Harrogate Railway Ladies open age team ran out for their first home league match.


Last Updated: 06 September 2007 11:33 AM

FC replenish squad losses

Published: 6th September 2007

FC UNITED have strengthened their ranks to make up for the temporary loss of top players Stuart Rudd and Rory Patterson.

Both strikers are serving suspensions and manager Karl Marginson has made the decision to bring in Liam George from Hyde United and former Burnley reserve Cayne Hanley.

Meanwhile, left back Alex Mortimer has left the club by mutual consent after impressive performances from Shaun Roscoe saw him struggle to hold down a place in the side.

The new signings arrived too late to take part in Sunday’s game with local rivals Trafford FC, when FC made a successful debut venture into the FA Cup to set up an historic tie in the next round.

The reds disposed of Trafford at Atrincham’s Moss Lane ground in a pulsating encounter and they now face a trip to the seaside to play Fleetwood Town in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 15.

Fleetwood were the first side that Newton Heath, who later became Manchester United, played in the FA Cup and FC fans will be hoping that this historical quirk is a sign they are about to enjoy a good cup run.

And with the way that they started on Sunday, few would argue that a money-spinning cup run is a distinct possibility.

They came out fired up and it was not long before defender Robert Nugent headed the club’s first ever FA Cup goal.

It was fitting that Nugent should score the landmark goal. Not only is he the only survivor from FC United’s first ever starting XI, as a former MUFC season ticket holder he was also present at all of the protest meetings against the Glazer takeover before the formation of the club.

Soon after Nugent’s nodder, former Manchester United youth team winger Josh Howard doubled the lead with a great solo effort which nestled in the corner of the Trafford net.

It should have been all over at that stage but, in the greatest United tradition, FC could not give their fans an easy ride and they allowed the home side back into the game.

Chris Mackay took advantage of slack positioning from FC keeper Sam Ashton to make it 2-1 and the equaliser came via a superb chip from Andy Lundy.

The game was in the balance until Nicky Platt scored from the penalty spot following a foul on striker Stuart Rudd to give the reds the edge at the break.

It was effectively game over when makeshift forward Simon Carden turned and blasted home with 20 minutes to go to relieve the tension.

New boy Anthony Hargreaves came off the bench and put things beyond doubt with a tap in.

United host Harrogate Railway in a league game at Gigg Lane this Saturday, September 8, kick-off 3pm.

Tony Howard

First published by the Prestwich Advertiser

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Patterson hoping to de-rail Harrogate bid

Source: This is Lancashire

By Liam Chronnell

PREVIEW: FC United v Harrogate Railway: FC United are set to welcome back top-scorer Rory Patterson for the visit of Harrogate Railway Athletic - but are set to lose another striker.

The in-form Rebels hitman, who smashed four goals against Bridlington Town in his last appearance, returns from a three-match ban for the first of the Gigg Lane tenants' two games in four days.

And Patterson's comeback comes just at the right time for the Gigg Lane tenants, who have target-man Stuart Rudd suspended following his red card at Garforth Town.

Following the UniBond League Division North home clash with the Yorkshiremen on Saturday, Karl Marginson's men travel to winless Clitheroe on Tuesday as they continue their climb up the table.

At the weekend, FC, in Challenge Cup action last night against Alsager Town, enjoyed the perfect start to their first ever FA Cup campaign to set up a trip to Fleetwood Town.

United kept on the road to Wembley with a 5-2 victory in their preliminary round clash with Trafford, from the division below, to progress to the first qualifying stage against the UniBond League Premier outfit on September 15.

Rob Nugent, Josh Howard, Nicky Platt, from the penalty spot, Simon Carden and substitute Anthony Hargreaves were all on target in a tie switched to Altrincham's Moss Lane ground to accommodate the 2,238 crowd.

Defender Alex Mortimer, meanwhile, has been released from his contract through mutual consent.

Marginson said: "I can appreciate that Alex wants regular first team football at the age he is and he's too good of a player to sit on the bench.

"That is why I have agreed to release him from his contract."

Rebels crash out of Cup

6/ 9/2007

FC UNITED crashed out of the UniBond League Challenge Cup at the first hurdle with a 1-0 extra-time defeat by Alsager Town last night.

FC made seven changes from the team which won the club's first-ever FA Cup tie against Trafford on Sunday, including debut appearances for new boys Liam George and Cayne Hanley.

And the weakened side was given a hard battle by the visitors, who are riding high in the southern section of the UniBond League's first division. FC goalkeeper Sam Ashton, with a series of saves, and a spectacular goal-line clearance by Liam Foster kept FC in contention in the first half.

Playing down the slope at Radcliffe's Stainton Park ground, it was the turn of Alsager keeper Matt Conkie to excel and he denied sub Jerome Wright, Simon Carden and Anthony Hargreaves with a string of superb saves.

And in extra time the visitors' gallant resistance paid off when Dave Whittaker smashed home a 108th-minute winner through a crowd of players when the Rebels failed to clear a corner.

FC United start with a bang

By NickJackson

Non League football round-up

FC United enjoyed a pulsating start to their debut FA Cup campaign with a 5-2 win over Trafford at Altrincham.

Rob Nugent put the rebels in front before Josh Howard doubled the lead before Trafford pulled one back. Trafford then equalised, but before the break Nicky Platt restored FC's advantage from the penalty spot. Simon Carden extended the lead before Anthony Hargreaves made the win even more emphatic.

Manager Karl Marginson said: "I am delighted with the way the side played. The lads were really up for it and they got their reward."

Atherton Collieries cruised through their FA Cup preliminary tie with a fine 3-1 home win over Bacup Borough. Colls' goal came courtesy of Barry Massay (2) and Vita Bina.

Meanwhile, neighbours Atherton LR threw away a two goal advantage in their NW Counties Division One clash at Abbey Hey. They took the lead through Ashley Elliott on the half hour before Ian Berry added a second in the 71st minute. But Worthington pulled one back for the hosts four minutes later, before a disastrous own goal two minutes from time gifted Abbey a share of the spoils. The misery goes on for Daisy Hill who were well beaten 3-1 at New Sirs by Division Two rivals Kirkham and Wesham. Bland got Daisy's consolation goal.

8:14pm Sunday 2nd September 2007