Thursday, November 06, 2008

Boston are next up

6/11/2008

FC UNITED will face Boston United in The FA Trophy third qualifying round after they beat Worksop Town 3-0 on Saturday.

A Kyle Wilson brace and a header from captain David Chadwick saw the reds set up the home clash, which will be played at Gigg Lane on Sunday, November, 23, kick-off 3pm.

Manager Karl Marginson said: "We’ve got a side in the same league, who we’ve played before. So we fancy our chances.

"They beat us back in August but, as we showed at Worksop, we’ve improved and gelled as a team since."

Senegalese midfielder Papis Djeeyte played in the Worksop game and FC’s recent home win over Ilkeston after being given international clearance to play at non-league level in England.

FC have no game this weekend.

Trinity home, Boston away in FA Trophy

07:00 - 04 November 2008

REVENGE is on the cards for Gainsborough Trinity boss Steve Charles after his side were pulled out of the hat to face AFC Telford United in the FA Trophy third qualifying round.

Trinity lost to the Stags 3-2 in the Setanta Shield earlier in the season, and Charles (pictured right, top) has declared that he'll be out to avenge that defeat when the two sides lock horns at the Northolme on November 22.

"We owe them one" said a determined Charles.

"They beat us in the Setanta Shield, so I'm eager to get out there and make sure we set the record straight."

Trinity could have been drawn against lower league opposition in the competition, but Charles believes taking on a fellow Blue Square North side will get the best from his team.

"We will really be up for the challenge" said Charles. "There is an argument that a team from lower down the leagues would have been easier, but that could have been a bit of a banana skin.

"Telford play some good football, like we do. When we met in the Setanta Shield we had a belter of a game and we'll be looking for a repeat of that performance - albeit with the right result for us."

Boston United, meanwhile, have been drawn away to fellow UniBond League Premier Division side FC United of Manchester.

The game will take place on Sunday, November 23 as the Reds ground share with Bury at Gigg Lane.

Pilgrims boss Tommy Taylor (pictured right, bottom) is confident his team can progress to the next round, having beaten the Lancashire side 1-0 earlier in the season.

"I think it is a good fixture for both teams - they are a good footballing side" said Taylor.

"The players will be up for the game and will want to do well against a big team like FC United."

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Kick-off for mosque tournament

5/11/2008

FOUR Manchester mosques took part in a football competition organised by FC United.

Teams from Sunna Mosque and the Darul-hiqmah Centre, both in Cheetham Hill, the Didsbury Mosque and the Makki Masjid in Longsight were joined by a team from Noor Mosque in Old Trafford.

Each entered an under 11s team, an under 14s team and an under 16s team to contest the five-a-side tournament at Old Trafford Sports Barn.

The tournament was made possible by the efforts of volunteers from FC United who worked as referees and organisers.

FC United community organiser Robin Pyle said: "The idea originally came from Diallo Mamadou, a basketball coach living in Cheetham Hill. He asked us whether we would be interested in helping him to organise football activities in his area to give the youth something positive to do. We said we were keen to help and together we developed the idea of a tournament for mosques."

"We plan to build on the success of this tournament to organise more activities in these parts of Manchester, aimed at encouraging young people to take part in sport."

All participants in the tournament received a goody bag which included free tickets to the next FC United match which was a home fixture with Ilkeston Town in the Unibond Northern Premier League.

Robin added: ‘We are keen for our club to become a vehicle for community cohesion in this city and that means welcoming all parts of the community to our matches." He paid a special tribute to chief tournament organiser, Andrew Serraillier, and FC United manager, Karl Marginson and community coach, Phil Schofield, who ran training sessions for youngsters waiting for their turn to play.

The under 11s and under 14s tournaments were won by Makki Mosque from Longsight. The Under 16’s competition was won by Noor Mosque.

FC United is a democratically-run fans’-owned football club. It was founded three and a half years ago and has been promoted every season so far. It plays its home games at Gigg Lane in Bury and is averaging home crowds of over 2,000 this season.

FC land midfielder

Stuart Brennan

5/11/2008

FC UNITED'S persistence in trying to win midfielder Papis Djeeyte the right to play football has paid off.

The Senegalese player was told by the Home Office that he could not turn out for the Rebels as his work permit would only allow him to turn out at League Two level or higher.

That had manager Karl Marginson lobbying his MP, and sparked an online petition among supporters angry that Djeeyte, who is married to an English woman, was being denied the chance to play semi-professional football.

But club secretary Lindsey Robertson has now discovered that Djeeyte was not barred.

General manager Andy Walsh said: "We did some further investigation and what we were originally told was only true if you have a work permit to work in the sports or entertainment industries.

"If you have a full work permit, which Papis has, and work in another occupation then there is nothing to stop you playing at non-league level."

Djeeyte's clearance has meant he has played as a sub in the last two games, a home win over Ilkeston and the FA Trophy victory at Worksop Town.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

At Last! United's Djeeyte Success

by Ryan Bangs

Sunday, November 2, 2008

FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson has had his appeal for Home Office action answered after Senegalese midfielder Papis Djeeyte was finally given clearance to play for the club.

Djeeyte was set to make his debut two weeks ago after impressing during a trial and receiving approval from the Senegal Football Association.

But the Home Office said Djeeyte’s work permit only allowed him to play in League Two or above.

Marginson was refused a face-to-face meeting with Home Office officials, but eventually they admitted the ruling was in error.

“It ended up just being a misunderstanding on their part,” he said. “When I was told the situation I immediately got on the phone, but you know what it’s like, you end up getting passed around.

“I went down a different route to try and arrange a meeting, but it never came through.

“It was ludicrous that he wasn’t being allowed to play. He is married to a British girl and has a fully eligible work permit. He is just someone who wants to make a living and play football on the side.

“I just had to bide my time and keep bugging them until it got sorted – which it finally was.”

But while Marginson has been boosted by the arrival of Djeeyte, United were dealt a blow when striker Danny Williams suffered a broken leg in the game with Whitby Town.

However, Marginson is expecting the 20-year-old to make a swift recovery.

“Danny has been fantastic for us this season and it’s a shame to have him out,” he added. “But he is only young and I expect him to be back before we know it.

“For a guy who has played in the North West Counties League for the past three seasons, his progress has been really good.

“And I’m sure he will have the same positive attitude during rehab as he does on the pitch.”

Tigers out of FA Trophy

Published Date: 04 November 2008

By Ray Lucas

WORKSOP Town slipped out of the FA Trophy after going down to FC United of Manchester at Watnall Road on Saturday.

Despite some poor league form, the Tigers have saved some of their best performances for the cup games.

So it was with an air of confidence they faced FCUM.

Despite conceding an early penalty, they still looked capable of getting something out of the game. However, they conceded another goal early in the second half and that strike finished the game off as a contest.

On a wet and windy day the Tigers made just one change with Andy White returning following a three match suspension, Kirk Jackson dropping to the bench. New signing Chris Adam was pronounced fit and took a place on the bench.

The only chance in the early stages was an Andy Boyce header that flashed wide from a Gary Townsend corner.

But in their first real attack FCUM got a penalty when winger Adam Carden cut inside and, as Kevin Dawson went to tackle him, he was tripped and referee Mr Smith pointed to the spot.

The league's leading scorer Kyle Wilson took responsibility and sent Steve Hernandez the wrong way to open the scoring.

Steve Robinson then shot wide, Andy White picked up a yellow card for a rash tackle, and Paul Dempsey and FCUM skipper David Chadwick went in for a 50/50 ball that left both players injured.

Worksop were pushing forward for an equaliser. Matt Glass headed wide when he had time to control the ball, White was caught offside following a good move and Kevin Davies shot over the bar.

The best chance came just before half time following a foul by Chadwick on Kevin Sanasy.

Robinson's free-kick found Chris Glarvey's head just two yards out, but his effort hit Sam Ashton in the visitors' goal and was cleared to safety.

With the referee due to end the half, the visitors could have made it two but for some outstanding goalkeeping by Steve Hernandez.

Carlos Roca cut in from the left, his shot was pushed on to the post by Hernandez, who then threw himself in front of Wilson's follow-up.

The Tigers made the worst possible start to the second half as, within four minutes, they went two down.

Jerome Wright made a good run down the left, put in a fine cross that the home defence failed to clear, and Chadwick was on hand to nod the ball home.

Hernandez then made another good save from a Chadwick header before Sanasy was put in by Glass, only for the striker to fail in his attempt to beat the defender.

Then a high ball into the box by Glarvey was missed by Ashton, but White's effort was cleared off the line by Liam Foster.

Paul Stansfield came on for Robinson but he couldn't galvanise the team. Scott Lowe came on for Kevin Dawson, who was carried off with what looked a bad ankle injury, and Chris Adam made his debut in place of White.

Unfortunately these changes failed to make the impact Peter Rinkcavage desired and it was the visitors who scored on 68 minutes, thanks to some poor defending, when a ball over the top from Foster was collected by Wilson who went on to beat Hernandez for goal number three.

Townsend had a header go wide from a Paul Dempsey free-kick, but that was all the Tigers could muster before the final whistle.

Boyce picked up a yellow card and was lucky to stay on the pitch after another reckless tackle and Stansfield's frustration's also gained him a yellow.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Revenge mission for Rebels

Stuart Brennan

3/11/2008

FC UNITED have been handed a home tie – and a chance for revenge – in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The Rebels will face fellow UniBond premier division outfit Boston United in a game which has been switched to Sunday, November 23 due to landlords Bury being at home the previous day.

FC, who eased into the draw with an impressive 3-0 win at Worksop at the weekend suffered their first home defeat of the season to the Imps, who were playing in the Football League last year, losing 1-0 at Gigg Lane in August.

But since then the Rebels have hit form, winning four and drawing two of their last seven league games, while Boston have slumped beneath them in the table, and are without a win in four league games.

The Conference North teams enter the fray at this stage, and struggling Hyde United face a tricky home tie with UniBond League leaders Hednesford Town.

Droyslden travel to face fellow Conference North side Farsley Celtic, Stalybridge fans have a day out at the seaside against Whitby Town, and Warrington Town – if they beat Romulus in a replay on Tuesday night – will host Nantwich Town.

Rebel-rousing Wilson

3/11/2008

KYLE Wilson added to his growing list of admirers by scoring twice and setting up a third goal to ensure FC United march on in the FA Trophy.

The former Crewe starlet struck first with an 13th minute penalty awarded for a foul on Adam Carden before rounding off FC's 3-0 second qualifying-round victory at Worksop with a sublime chip.

In between, Wilson, whose tally for the season now stands at an impressive 17, crossed for for skipper Dave Chadwick to head home the second goal.

But Karl Marginson's men hadn't had things all their own way in the early stages with keeper Sam Ashton twice having to deny the home side with five saves.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Worksop 0 FC United 3

5:32pm Sunday 2nd November 2008

THE Red Rebels ran out easy FA Trophy winners at Watnall Road with two goals from Kyle Wilson and another by Dave Chadwick.

The visitors took just 13 minutes to take the lead against Peter Rinkcavage’s men.

Simon Carden was brought down in the penalty area and striker Wilson slotted home the resulting spot kick to give United an early advantage.

Worksop had a chance to level the match just before the break when Steve Robinson floated a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area only for an unmarked Chris Glavey to see his header cannon back off the goalkeeper from point-blank range.

The hosts were made to pay for this missed chance as the Rebels produced a fantastic second-half showing.

Defender Chadwick stole in to head the Reds’ second goal after the Tigers’ backline failed to clear from a set-piece on 49 minutes.

Karl Marginson’s side continued to press with slick and attractive football, eventually rounding off the game with a third goal courtesy of Wilson.

A piercing long ball again deceived the Worksop defence and the striker finished coolly to cement his team’s place in the next round of the competition

United power on

By Gary Moss. Saturday, 01 November 2008.

Worksop Town 0-3 FC United

Wilson 2, Chadwick

The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Second Round Qualifying
Saturday 1 November 2008
Watnall Road, Worksop Town FC

Winning clubs will receive £3,000 from The FA

Worksop Town club secretary Keith Ilett reckoned that the Tigers faced their toughest game of the season up against an impressive FC United of Manchester in the Second Qualifying Round of The FA Trophy.

He was proved right when the Red Rebels ran out easy 3-0 winners at Watnall Road with two goals from Kyle Wilson and another by Dave Chadwick.

However, Ilett admits he has no complaints after losing to a 'quality' side.

“They passed the ball very well and impressed me greatly,” he said.

“They looked excellent at times today and are the best side we’ve played so far this season.

“They are a very young and fit side, they played a good passing game and showed some nice little touches in this performance.”

The visitors took just 13 minutes to take the lead against Peter Rinkcavage’s men.

Simon Carden was brought down in the penalty area and striker Wilson slotted home the resulting spot kick to give United an early advantage.

Worksop had a chance to level the match just before the break when Steve Robinson floated a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area only for an unmarked Chris Glavey to see his header cannon back off the goalkeeper from point-blank range.

The hosts were made to pay for this missed chance as the Rebels produced a fantastic second half showing.

Defender Chadwick stole in to head the Reds’ second goal after the Tigers' backline failed to clear from a set-piece on 49 minutes.

Karl Marginson’s side continued to press with slick and attractive football, eventually rounding off the game with a third goal courtesy of Wilson.

A piercing long ball again deceived the Worksop defence and the striker finished coolly to cement his team's place in the next round of the competition.