Early goal is not enough as Rebels miss out

 Source: MEN

 FC United failed to build on a dream start as they dropped their first Evo-Stik Premier points of the season in losing 2-1 to Chasetown at Gigg Lane, writes Tony Glennon.

The Rebels, who’d won both their previous games convincingly, looked set to serve up another goal feast when Matthew Wolfenden put them ahead with barely 30 seconds gone.

FC then went on to boss the opening period but paid for their failure to add a second goal as the Staffordshire visitors came roaring back after the break for an unlikely win.

Shortly after United had been controversially denied a penalty when Dave Chadwick took a tumble in the box, they conceded the softest of equalisers through a 45-yard free-kick from former Altrincham midfielder Jake Sedgemore. And the Rebels scarcely had time to recover before striker John Branch reacted quickest to fire in what proved to be the winner.

Meanwhile, Ashton United's winning start was also halted as they lost to an early Chris Morris goal at Rushall Olympic.

But Garry Flitctroft's newly-promoted Chorley march on at the summit with Steve Foster's 72nd-minute penalty giving them a third consecutive triumph as they overcame Buxton.

Curzon Ashton made it three straight Evo-Stik North wins under new manager John Flanagan with goals by Matthew Kay and Matthew Purcell sinking Garforth 2-1.

There were victories, too, for Trafford, Salford and Woodley — the latter hammering winless Mossley 4-0 – while Radcliffe were unlucky not to beat title favourites Skelmersdale, who needed a 79th-minute James Mullineux own goal to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.

New Mills continued their strong start in Evo-Stik South as they beat Sheffield 2-1 at Church Lane with Carlos Meakin and Ashley Stott scoring.

Andy Lindon's hat-trick helped Cheadle thrash their NWCL neighbours Chadderton 8-2 in the FA Cup’s extra preliminary round.

Ramsbottom, together with Atherton neighbours LR and Collieries, also successfully negotiated the Cup’s opening hurdle, but Irlam, Glossop and Wigan Robin Park all crashed out. Maine Road face a replay.

Tony Glennon
August 22, 2011