Tony Howard
31/ 1/2008
COMEBACK king Stuart Rudd came off the bench to see FC United into the quarter-finals of the UniBond President’s Cup.
Rudd’s second goal in as many games since his return from a long-term knee injury put paid to Rossendale as the reds set up a quarter-final tie away at Nantwich Town.
Rory Patterson again excelled, scoring the opener and providing the cross for his strike partner to tap in at the far post with 10 minutes to go.
The scoreline suggests a tight game but, despite hitting the goal of the game through a roundly applauded Matt Edgington strike, the Stags were never really in the match.
The crowd, all housed in the Main Stand due to the closure of the Manchester Road End (MRE), took to mocking each other in a search for competition.
The addition of those used to standing behind the goal added to the atmosphere in the more laid back Main Stand, even if the tone was lowered by the invasion of the scruffs. And the match was not bad either as FC played some great stuff through Nicky Platt and Chris Baguley.
Despite some pretty interchanges in midfield early on, Patterson’s opener came via route one. A ball over the top found the Irishman with time and space to lob the on-rushing Stags goalkeeper.
Patterson celebrated raucously in front of the empty MRE and those who would usually have been there to share his embrace laughed wildly.
Rudd was introduced with 20 minutes to go and soon after he made the most of a fantastic cross from Patterson to seal the victory.
The relief at his return was evident as Rudd took the plaudits, even if all eyes were on how his heavily bandaged knee would stand up to giving half of his United teammates piggy-backs.
The reds travel to Harrogate on Saturday, February 2, kick-off 3pm. Admission is £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Rudd back to help fire Reds
By Liam Chronnell
KARL Marginson has backed comeback kid Stuart Rudd to fire FC United to glory.
Last season's top-scorer returned to action after nearly four months out with a knee injury. Rudd, who struck 46 times last term, needed surgery after tearing his cruciate ligament in October.
But the prolific striker showed he has not lost his goalscoring touch by netting twice in two games after coming on in both games as substitute.
And Marginson believes Rudd, and 25-goal strike partner Rory Patterson, will be vital in the Rebels' pursuit of three trophies.
"The key to success is having goalscorers in the team and in Rory and Ruddy we have two of the best around," said the United boss. "Stuart has scored two in just 40 minutes of football since coming back after coming on as a substitute in both games - that just shows what type of player he is.
"It can be tough coming back from a long-term injury like he has but, hopefully, he can continue in this vain as he gets back to full fitness."
FC, nine points behind leaders Curzon Ashton with two games in hand, will look to extend their five-game winning run at Harrogate Railway Athletic on Saturday.
And the Gigg Lane tenants go into the league clash after maintaining their progress in the cup competitions.
United cruised into to the semi-final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup on Wednesday night following a convincing 4-1 victory at Flixton.
Goals from Patterson, Bradley Howard, Chris Baguley and Rudd helped set up an away tie with Radcliffe Borough or Abbey Hey on Monday, February 11 or Saturday, February 16.
Three days later they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Presidents Cup after beating Rossendale United for the fourth time this season.
Marginson's men won 2-1 with goals from Patterson and Rudd, again coming off the bench, to set up a trip to Nantwich Town, a game which has been brought forward 24 hours to Friday, February 8 to avoid a clash with Crewe Alexandra's home match with Swansea, on the advice of Cheshire police.
Captain Dave Chadwick made his comeback in last night's friendly with Flixton after suffering the same injury as Rudd, who, along with fellow long-term absentee Josh Howard, also played, in October.
5:03 pm Wednesday 30th January 2008
KARL Marginson has backed comeback kid Stuart Rudd to fire FC United to glory.
Last season's top-scorer returned to action after nearly four months out with a knee injury. Rudd, who struck 46 times last term, needed surgery after tearing his cruciate ligament in October.
But the prolific striker showed he has not lost his goalscoring touch by netting twice in two games after coming on in both games as substitute.
And Marginson believes Rudd, and 25-goal strike partner Rory Patterson, will be vital in the Rebels' pursuit of three trophies.
"The key to success is having goalscorers in the team and in Rory and Ruddy we have two of the best around," said the United boss. "Stuart has scored two in just 40 minutes of football since coming back after coming on as a substitute in both games - that just shows what type of player he is.
"It can be tough coming back from a long-term injury like he has but, hopefully, he can continue in this vain as he gets back to full fitness."
FC, nine points behind leaders Curzon Ashton with two games in hand, will look to extend their five-game winning run at Harrogate Railway Athletic on Saturday.
And the Gigg Lane tenants go into the league clash after maintaining their progress in the cup competitions.
United cruised into to the semi-final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup on Wednesday night following a convincing 4-1 victory at Flixton.
Goals from Patterson, Bradley Howard, Chris Baguley and Rudd helped set up an away tie with Radcliffe Borough or Abbey Hey on Monday, February 11 or Saturday, February 16.
Three days later they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Presidents Cup after beating Rossendale United for the fourth time this season.
Marginson's men won 2-1 with goals from Patterson and Rudd, again coming off the bench, to set up a trip to Nantwich Town, a game which has been brought forward 24 hours to Friday, February 8 to avoid a clash with Crewe Alexandra's home match with Swansea, on the advice of Cheshire police.
Captain Dave Chadwick made his comeback in last night's friendly with Flixton after suffering the same injury as Rudd, who, along with fellow long-term absentee Josh Howard, also played, in October.
5:03 pm Wednesday 30th January 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Rebels march on in Presidents Cup
By Liam Chronnell
FC United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Presidents Cup after beating Rossendale United for the fourth time this season.
The Rebels won 2-1 with goals from Rory Patterson and substitute Stuart Rudd to set up a trip an away tie Nantwich Town in 12 days' time.
Patterson opened the scoring for the home side on 54 minutes with his 25th goal of the season.
The Reds' top scorer then turned provided as he squared for Rudd, making his first start in nearly four months after recovering from a knee injury, to make it two on 81 minutes.
Rossendale pulled one back through Matt Edrington with six minutes remaining, but United held on to seal a fifth successive victory.
Radcliffe Borough's home game against Wakefield in UniBond League Division One North was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Daisy Hill's NWCL Division Two match with Padiham was also a victim of the weather while neither Atherton sides, Collieries and LR, were in action due to their opponents' FA Vase commitments.
10:51 pm
Sunday 27th January 2008
FC United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Presidents Cup after beating Rossendale United for the fourth time this season.
The Rebels won 2-1 with goals from Rory Patterson and substitute Stuart Rudd to set up a trip an away tie Nantwich Town in 12 days' time.
Patterson opened the scoring for the home side on 54 minutes with his 25th goal of the season.
The Reds' top scorer then turned provided as he squared for Rudd, making his first start in nearly four months after recovering from a knee injury, to make it two on 81 minutes.
Rossendale pulled one back through Matt Edrington with six minutes remaining, but United held on to seal a fifth successive victory.
Radcliffe Borough's home game against Wakefield in UniBond League Division One North was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Daisy Hill's NWCL Division Two match with Padiham was also a victim of the weather while neither Atherton sides, Collieries and LR, were in action due to their opponents' FA Vase commitments.
10:51 pm
Sunday 27th January 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Rebel Reds are through to final
By Staff Sports Reporter
FC United 4 Flixton 1: FC United cruised into to the final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup after surrendering home advantage to Flixton.
The Rebel Reds were unfazed by the switch to Flixton's Valley Road ground, in a move driven by the costs of staging the game on home soil. They took the lead on 44 minutes through Rory Patterson.
Bradley Howard got his first goal for FC to double their advantage 10 minutes after the restart and Chris Baguley added the third on the hour.
Flixton notched a consolation goal 10 minutes before the end and Stuart Rudd celebrated his return from injury with FC's fourth - the final kick of the game.
10:58pm
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
FC United 4 Flixton 1: FC United cruised into to the final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup after surrendering home advantage to Flixton.
The Rebel Reds were unfazed by the switch to Flixton's Valley Road ground, in a move driven by the costs of staging the game on home soil. They took the lead on 44 minutes through Rory Patterson.
Bradley Howard got his first goal for FC to double their advantage 10 minutes after the restart and Chris Baguley added the third on the hour.
Flixton notched a consolation goal 10 minutes before the end and Stuart Rudd celebrated his return from injury with FC's fourth - the final kick of the game.
10:58pm
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
Treble boost for rebel Reds
By Liam Chronnell
FC United v Rossendale Utd
Presidents Cup Third Round
FC United's trophy hopes have received a major boost with the return of long-term injured trio of Josh Howard, Stuart Rudd and David Chadwick.
Midfielder Howard was set to make his first start in five months in last night's Manchester Premier Cup quarter-final at Flixton, while captain Chadwick and Rudd, last season's 45-goal top scorer, could be ready for Saturday's Presidents Cup clash at Rossendale after nearly four months out.
"It's a great boost, especially at this time of the season," said manager Karl Marginson of the returning players, who were all sidelined with knee injuries.
"If these three get back to form there's no reason why we can't kick on and win the league. Who knows we might have a couple of cups to go with it too."
The Reds' UniBond League North game at Radcliffe Borough was postponed at the weekend due to a waterlogged pitch.
6:40am
24/01/2008
FC United v Rossendale Utd
Presidents Cup Third Round
FC United's trophy hopes have received a major boost with the return of long-term injured trio of Josh Howard, Stuart Rudd and David Chadwick.
Midfielder Howard was set to make his first start in five months in last night's Manchester Premier Cup quarter-final at Flixton, while captain Chadwick and Rudd, last season's 45-goal top scorer, could be ready for Saturday's Presidents Cup clash at Rossendale after nearly four months out.
"It's a great boost, especially at this time of the season," said manager Karl Marginson of the returning players, who were all sidelined with knee injuries.
"If these three get back to form there's no reason why we can't kick on and win the league. Who knows we might have a couple of cups to go with it too."
The Reds' UniBond League North game at Radcliffe Borough was postponed at the weekend due to a waterlogged pitch.
6:40am
24/01/2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Weather foils FC
20/ 1/2008
FC United's bid to step up their UniBond First Division North promotion charge at Radcliffe Borough was foiled by the weather.
The match was called off on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch.
FC's next match is against Flixton in the quarter-final of the Manchester Premier Cup at Valley Road on Wednesday (kick off 7.45pm).
FC United's bid to step up their UniBond First Division North promotion charge at Radcliffe Borough was foiled by the weather.
The match was called off on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch.
FC's next match is against Flixton in the quarter-final of the Manchester Premier Cup at Valley Road on Wednesday (kick off 7.45pm).
Friday, January 18, 2008
Howard back for Rebels
18/ 1/2008
WINGER Josh Howard is ready to pep FC United's promotion drive in the Unibond Division One North game at bottom club Radcliffe.
The former Manchester United youth skipper has been sidelined with a knee injury which has needed attention for floating bone and cartilage trouble.
But he is ready to start at Stainton Park tomorrow after coming off the bench for 20 minutes last Saturday when United beat Chorley 2-1, and he reported no reaction afterwards.
That win took FC to fourth and the chase after leaders Curzon Ashton is set for a further double tonic as Stuart Rudd (cruciate) and Dave Chadwick (cartilage) are back in training ahead of schedule.
WINGER Josh Howard is ready to pep FC United's promotion drive in the Unibond Division One North game at bottom club Radcliffe.
The former Manchester United youth skipper has been sidelined with a knee injury which has needed attention for floating bone and cartilage trouble.
But he is ready to start at Stainton Park tomorrow after coming off the bench for 20 minutes last Saturday when United beat Chorley 2-1, and he reported no reaction afterwards.
That win took FC to fourth and the chase after leaders Curzon Ashton is set for a further double tonic as Stuart Rudd (cruciate) and Dave Chadwick (cartilage) are back in training ahead of schedule.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Saviour Carden
17/ 1/2008
FC UNITED remained in the UniBond First Division North football league play-off places with a tight 2-1 home win over Chorley on Saturday, writes Tony Howard.
The reds had a late Simon Carden strike to thank for the victory after the Magpies were reduced to 10 men in the first half following a daft push from Gavin-Lee Ellison.
He has a double-barrelled name but he did not quite give them both to Jerome Wright. It was more a case of handbags at 3.15pm than anything else but the referee was left with no option but to reach for a red.
Chorley adapted well and FC struggled until Rory Patterson shook off his early disinterest to smash in a free kick.
The visitors battled back with a cracking equaliser from Steve Burke and the signs looked ominous as United new boy Micha ‘Sacre’ Bleau flapped in central defence.
United huffed and puffed until saviour Carden came off the bench and finally broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to go.
It was a scrappy affair, which summed up the game perfectly. Carden bundled in at the back post to the obvious relief of the 2,011 crowd.
Carden was again involved late on when he won a penalty but Patterson’s spot kick rebounded off the post. Thankfully, it did not matter as the indifferent reds held on to move up to fourth place in the table.
United visit basement club Radcliffe Borough on Saturday, January 19, kick-off 3pm. On the gate admission costs £7 for adults, £4 for concessions and £2 for under-16s.
FC UNITED remained in the UniBond First Division North football league play-off places with a tight 2-1 home win over Chorley on Saturday, writes Tony Howard.
The reds had a late Simon Carden strike to thank for the victory after the Magpies were reduced to 10 men in the first half following a daft push from Gavin-Lee Ellison.
He has a double-barrelled name but he did not quite give them both to Jerome Wright. It was more a case of handbags at 3.15pm than anything else but the referee was left with no option but to reach for a red.
Chorley adapted well and FC struggled until Rory Patterson shook off his early disinterest to smash in a free kick.
The visitors battled back with a cracking equaliser from Steve Burke and the signs looked ominous as United new boy Micha ‘Sacre’ Bleau flapped in central defence.
United huffed and puffed until saviour Carden came off the bench and finally broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to go.
It was a scrappy affair, which summed up the game perfectly. Carden bundled in at the back post to the obvious relief of the 2,011 crowd.
Carden was again involved late on when he won a penalty but Patterson’s spot kick rebounded off the post. Thankfully, it did not matter as the indifferent reds held on to move up to fourth place in the table.
United visit basement club Radcliffe Borough on Saturday, January 19, kick-off 3pm. On the gate admission costs £7 for adults, £4 for concessions and £2 for under-16s.
Monday, January 14, 2008
FC United 2 Chorley 1
13/ 1/2008
FC UNITED boss Karl Marginson conceded his off-key Rebels had been fortunate to beat 10-man Chorley to stay in the slipstream of UniBond First Division North leaders Curzon Ashton.
The lowly Magpies stunned Marginson's men when Stephen Burke gave them an eighth-minute lead, but the visitors then had Gavin Lee-Ellison sent off after he appeared to push Jerome Wright in the face.
Rory Patterson's 41st minute free-kick put FC back on terms, but they then had a series of lucky escapes and were relieved when substitute Simon Carden finally killed off Chorley with a 76th minute headed strike securing a win which takes them up to fourth.
"We were certainly not at our best," admitted Marginson, whose FC side have now taken 13 points from the last 15 to restore hopes of a third successive promotion.
Victory keeps the Rebels six points behind leaders Curzon, who ended their mini-slump in style by thrashing Bridlington 6-0, with Mike Norton helping himself to a hat-trick.
FC UNITED boss Karl Marginson conceded his off-key Rebels had been fortunate to beat 10-man Chorley to stay in the slipstream of UniBond First Division North leaders Curzon Ashton.
The lowly Magpies stunned Marginson's men when Stephen Burke gave them an eighth-minute lead, but the visitors then had Gavin Lee-Ellison sent off after he appeared to push Jerome Wright in the face.
Rory Patterson's 41st minute free-kick put FC back on terms, but they then had a series of lucky escapes and were relieved when substitute Simon Carden finally killed off Chorley with a 76th minute headed strike securing a win which takes them up to fourth.
"We were certainly not at our best," admitted Marginson, whose FC side have now taken 13 points from the last 15 to restore hopes of a third successive promotion.
Victory keeps the Rebels six points behind leaders Curzon, who ended their mini-slump in style by thrashing Bridlington 6-0, with Mike Norton helping himself to a hat-trick.
Carden keeps Reds on target
By Staff Sports Reporter
SUPER sub Simon Carden's 76th-minute winner helped FC United squeeze past 10-man Chorley 2-1 at Gigg Lane and keep the pressure on the Division One North leaders.
The struggling visitors took a shock eighth-minute lead when Steve Burke punished defender Micah Bleau's mistake to grab the opener.
Despite Chorley having Gavin-Lee Ellison sent off on 21 minutes, the Rebels made hard work of getting back on level terms until Rory Patterson fired home his 23rd goal of the season with a low free kick on 40 minutes.
Fourth-placed United could easily have gone in at half-time in front as Rob Nugent and Chris Baguley both struck the crossbar in the space of 10 seconds before the break. But the home side had to wait until 14 minutes from the end before Carden converted Liam Foster's cross to seal the points.
Top-scorer Patterson had a chance to make the winning margin more when Carden was impeded in the penalty area, but the Reds top-scorer saw his spot-kick bounce back off the upright.
10:20am
14/01/2008
SUPER sub Simon Carden's 76th-minute winner helped FC United squeeze past 10-man Chorley 2-1 at Gigg Lane and keep the pressure on the Division One North leaders.
The struggling visitors took a shock eighth-minute lead when Steve Burke punished defender Micah Bleau's mistake to grab the opener.
Despite Chorley having Gavin-Lee Ellison sent off on 21 minutes, the Rebels made hard work of getting back on level terms until Rory Patterson fired home his 23rd goal of the season with a low free kick on 40 minutes.
Fourth-placed United could easily have gone in at half-time in front as Rob Nugent and Chris Baguley both struck the crossbar in the space of 10 seconds before the break. But the home side had to wait until 14 minutes from the end before Carden converted Liam Foster's cross to seal the points.
Top-scorer Patterson had a chance to make the winning margin more when Carden was impeded in the penalty area, but the Reds top-scorer saw his spot-kick bounce back off the upright.
10:20am
14/01/2008
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