FC United 4 Congleton 3

Stuart Brennan

April 02, 2007

SOLE survivor Rob Nugent headed ten-man FC United into their first cup final in a thrilling Challenge Cup semi-final second leg at Gigg Lane.

The trainee accountant is the only player left from the 11 which began the club's historic first game against Leigh RMI in July 2005, and he ended the club's cup hoodoo - they have lost in three other competitions to last-minute goals.

Manager Karl Marginson paid tribute to Nugent and the rest of his side, who battled back from 3-2 down despite losing defender Alex Mortimer to a red card just before half-time.

"It's fitting that Rob should score the goal," said Marginson, who had a wheel rolled at him by celebrating FC fans - just three days after a wheel came off his delivery van at 60mph on the motorway.

Heart

"He has FC in his heart. I knew nothing about him but what struck me straight away was that he knew what the club was about and his commitment ever since has been fantastic."

But it was strike pair Stuart Rudd and Rory Patterson who grabbed most of the glory, after Congleton had taken a second minute lead through Ged Courtney.

Rudd popped up at the far post to convert a Rhodri Giggs cross on 31 minutes and four minutes later ran on to Patterson's flick to rifle in the second. The Rebels seemed to be cruising but on 43 minutes Mortimer saw red for a stupid stamp on Tommy Baker and from the resulting free kick Bears' skipper Andy Alston equalised.

Scott Williams fired the visitors ahead on 49 minutes, but within a minute the irrepressible Patterson made it 3-3.

Nugent's golden moment came on 76 minutes, and FC will now face Curzon Ashton or Flixton. Curzon won the first leg 3-1.

What do you think? Have your say.

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Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (02/04/2007 at 19:37)

Okay. It is official. If FC United selects the kit design that I have submitted, I will officially become a FC Supporter and a financially contributing supporter at that. I cannot wait to see my FC kitted out in my special retro Adidas three-strip shirts. It may be one of the proudest days in the history of the City of Manchester.

manc in new jersey, USA (02/04/2007 at 20:10)

The only problem with that idea is that are shirts are made by Tempest and I do not believe Addidas would look kindly on us using the 3 stripe trademark - as it is trademarked (surpriseed??).
Sounds like the kind of day I wish i was back on the MRE. I spent the game texting updates of the big United game to my mate at le stade de gigg. Both good results even if they both made hard work out of it. Looks like Curzon in the final which I guess will now be all ticket - should be an interesting allocation as Curzon will be on thier home soil.

Free Red, Manchester (03/04/2007 at 09:57)

When we went 2-3 down I got a feeling of deja vu "Quorn all over again". I knew that even if we equalised, after extra time, Congleton would go through on the away goal rule so we had to win. To score two goals without conceding when down to 10 men is a tall order for any team. Then out of the blue Rory scored! The MRE and main stand erupted and from that point the psychological advantage swung our way. Congleton may still have been going for a win, but deep down they were rocking. When we took the lead they got desperate and for the last 20 minutes or so you could feel the tension in the air as we knew if we conceded we would struggle to pull another goal back. Tackles were flying in left, right and centre up to the final whistle when I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Rob Nugent might be the 'soul' survivor but it was a great team effort. After the match had finished, it was Margy who rolled his famous wheel towards the MRE. I believe this was through popular demand after being asked "Margy, Margy, show us your wheel" at the Silsden away last Thursday. His famous wheel was last seen in the home dugout. Elsewhere, Curzon Ashton who were dumped out of the FA Vase by Truro and last night Curzon only manager a 0-0 draw at home to Salford in the league. This leaves us 13 points clear of Curzon and we will still be 7 points clear if they win their 2 games in hand. In a nutshell, out last 8 games we need to win at least 5 and draw 2 too guarantee promotion to the Unibond. Josh Howard said last week on FCUM.TV that the players were not talking about winning the league yet so I hope they keep their collective 'eye' on the ball away to Nelson tomorrow night. A result there wouldn't do us any 'arm'. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

PC, wilmslow (03/04/2007 at 12:27)

I missed this one, Free Red, but it sounded a bit like the Quorn game. But with a happy ending!

Just two wins from the remaining 8 games will guarantee 3rd place, and promotion if the restructuring takes place.

The Final won't be easy against Curzon, although they have about 12 games in April and so will be pretty tired by May 3rd! And it's still possible we'll meet our old friends Flixton in the final.

Bring on Nelson.

Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (03/04/2007 at 13:58)

New Jooorsy, I'm not talking about the actual Adidas logo being on the kit, although if they want to sponsor OUR club I would be in all favor of it. My design just has three stripes going from the collar-side down to the cuff of the sleeve. Old-school stripes like from the 80s when Adidas still ruled the roost. I feel, since United is representing a simpler time in Football when the fans were supporters, the cool retro 3-stripe will harken back to the time that many associated with the club (like myself) can identify. Let's go FC!!!

manc in new jersey, USA (03/04/2007 at 15:17)

Mr Walny (when will you give up this ridiculous pseudonym) - You implied in you first comment you were not currently a member of FCUoM, if this is the case it is not currently YOUR club. Please feel free to join us and you will be welcomed into the family, even views such as you have expressed in the past can make for healthy debate. But until you are a member it is not YOUR club.
I stand by original comment regarding the stripes. Addidas trademarked the 3 stripes many years ago which is why any non addidas sportswear has the 2 stripes - which always looked tacky to me but personal choice and all that. I actually like the idea of a retro looking shirt but the last thing we need is a lawsuit from a mega millions company.
Oh one last thing - picking you shirt would be the proudest day in Manchesters history - maybe getting a little bit above your station there. just a little, mind you.

Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells (03/04/2007 at 15:43)

I think Mr Walnut Dashboard, that Adidas would sue, claiming your design was a case of 'passing off'. But by all means, join FC and submit your retro design. Would be interesting to see what name you sent it under.

Tony Nuttall, Barnsley (03/04/2007 at 19:52)

Dash,
Why don't you design a shirt for YOUR HERO? I suggest it be ginger-coloured to match his beard and be emblazoned with the thing he loves most, dollar signs. You could get Manchester United to sponsor him....after all, we usually pay for most things in his life. You could have a motto on the back "It's great franchise". He would love you for it!

Tony Nuttall, Barnsley (03/04/2007 at 20:06)

It was a great game and a great result. I thought we controlled it really well after we got our noses in front again. We need to give credit to Congleton, who ran us very close over two legs. I can't believe the final will be at the Tameside Stadium even if Curzon are involved....that can't be right! And on a Thursday evening! A cup final deserves to be on saturday afternoon!

Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (04/04/2007 at 14:28)

I submitted my new retro kit design under the name. . . . Dash Walny of course. That is my name isn't it?? They do call me Dash because of the speed I displayed in my football days. If three stripes is unacceptable because of an Adidas lawsuit then I think 2-stripes would have to be the next choice. I think it would look terrible with 4-stripes. I submitted my retro design in all seriousness. My kit design HAD 3 stripes, an enlarged Manchester crest (without the cluttered lettering of the current kit) and two simple letters FC embroidered above the Manchester badge. I was going for an early 80s MUFC look. I can email it to anyone who wants to see it.

PC, wilmslow (04/04/2007 at 17:21)

Tony - you're right about a Saturday cup final, but in this particular case the Saturday (5th) would clash with the game against little city, which would certainly affect the attendance. Also, i think the league keep May 5 free in case league games spill over. Curzon have about 12 other matches in April so they couldn't do an earlier Sat.

Bummer it's at their ground but at least we should all get in. Just about!

See you there Walny.

Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (09/04/2007 at 18:44)

I will be having my own promotion party to celebrate our promotion to the Unibond. Imagine it my mates!!! FC in the Unibond and wearing gear designed by the great Dash Walny!!! The retro-kits will be sparkling like sunshine on a blue lake in July. Marvelous!

Tony Nuttall, Barnsley (09/04/2007 at 21:07)

Dash
What's up - has Mr G given you the sack or something?

Free Red, Manchester (11/04/2007 at 11:10)

Tony Nuttall, Barnsley. I think it's more likely to do with the fact that Tommy Tampas precious Bucs are bottom feeders of their gridiron league again and the fans over there are starting to revolt. They have been locked into a 'own seats' ten year season ticket deal which is up for renewal this year and a lot of them are considering not renewing. Joel glazer is so concerned he even gave a press interview reassuring the fans that he was on their side and that the underachieving players who he blames have been given a warning to do better! No mention of the fact that the glazers don't invest enough in the team. Not surprisingly this 'pass the buck' thing didn't really go down that well with Bucs fans who are also being over charged.

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