But it would have been worse for fifth-placed FC, whose offer of free admission to under-18s resulted in a bumper attendance, had Chris Baguley not saved their bacon with a spectacular injury-time equaliser.
Baguley struck from 30 yards to rescue a point for the Rebels after they had twice trailed to Alex Porter goals, the second of which arrived with just a minute left on the clock.
Simon Carden netted FC's first equaliser, firing home from close-range, but they were staring defeat in the face when Baguley salvaged a draw which means they now trail the top two, Skelmersdale and Curzon Ashton, by 11 points.
But FC United have been reinstated to the UniBond League President's Cup after their quarter-final conquerors Nantwich were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in their 5-1 victory.
Karl Marginson's men will now visit Goole in the semis on Saturday. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
How many people actually paid to watch these two pub teams?
Free Red, does the crowd figure consist of 3,348 under 18's?
Saturday's Youth United Day was a huge hit with a great time being had by all and the club are now looking forward to the next U18s go free day. With almost 1000 U18s included in the highest attendance of the season Youth United Day can be considered a resounding success. FC United would like to thank all those supporters and volunteers who put in so much effort to make the day go so well. A particular thank you goes to our partners in Youth United Day without their contribution the day would not have been possible. This includes The Cooperative Membership, MANCAT, Bury Smoke Free, notherncare, C-21, Rossendale United FC (for the inflatable goals bouncy castle thing), Bethesda Church, MaD Theatre Company, CAFRASS – Refugee project, FCUM Juniors, FCUM supporters & volunteers. Following on from this FC United are now planning to hold another themed match for the visit of Lancaster City on the 12th April so make sure this one is firmly in the diary. This will again be an U18's for free day and further details will be announced soon.
As for the match, Bamber are a very physical team who rely on their strength to make up for their lack of technical ability. I think they can count themselves lucky the Ref allowed them to get away with a lot of foul play others Refs would have carded, but having said that football is a physical game so perhaps our players might take a few lessons off Chaddy who has also learned how to get away with a bit more. Chris Baguley 25-yard injury time pile-driver was a bit special and provided what I thought it was a fair result which still leaves us in the playoff zone with games in hand over the teams above us. I wouldn't say Wednesday nights match is not a must win as the reams around us are also dropping points. But I do think we need to get something out of it if we are to keep up the pressure on the others. Viva la revolution, come on FC.
go on the mighty bamber YES
I think the Malcolm from Tampa's incarnation was better myself, Kiwi-Blue rants are rather simple child like statements, i don'd ee the point he is making?
I think it is disgusting that Football Club United Of Manchester are showing initiatives to encourage more children to watch a game of football. I am that disgusted that I am posting this on their comments page even tho they have no bearing on my life other than that they fill a mundane void in my life. Yours Aggrivatedly, Bertie Magoo.
Kiwi Blue, do you seriously have nothing better to do than comment on every single Fc United article? Even then, your comments have no factual substance. Around 1000 of the 3348 attendance were U18's, what difference it makes i don't know.
you obviously have no life whatsoever. maybe you should try and get one.
Neil why don't you comment on the droylsden article instead of always coming on here and not actually saying anything. By the way are Droylsden already relegated oh soz you wont reply.
In response to the comments criticising my opinions, I have watched a lot of pub teams playing football, so I know pub football when I see it.
CALM DOWN SMIGGLES ITS ONLY A GAME.GET IN THERE BAMBER
Aaron Grundy has won the Unibond League goalkeepers' award for February. Aaron kept clean sheets in each of our League games in February
Skelmersdale United home won 3-0
Bamber Bridge away draw 0-0
Clitheroe home won 3-0
Karl Marginson was full of praise for the young shot-stopper. 'Congratulations to him, since he has come in he has done really well. It is never easy for a goalkeeper coming in to a new team, to be at his best a goalkeeper needs to understand the strengths and weaknesses of those around him; to keep three clean sheets in those circumstcnes shows that he is an exceptional young keeper and we are very pleased to have him with us whilst Sam Ashton is out injured.' Aaron joined FC United on loan from Bury after Sam Ashton dislocated his finger during a friendly match at Flixton. Sam is recovering from his injury and has started with some light training and ball handling work. Sam expects to be fully match fit by the time Aaron's loan period expires on March 15th.
I can't understand how anyone can criticise Kiwi Bitters 'opinions'. I mean how can anyone criticise something he doesn't have!
Imagine the crushing disappointment of the kids in the crowd when they thought they were going to see united and infact witnessed a standard of football a few leagues up from pub football.
Instead of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez they got to see a game of long balls and throw ins.
I don't doubt that you have seen plenty of pub teams KB, after all you've followed l'il siddy all your life, but have you EVER seen F.C. play ? Oh, and another thing - I bet you've never seen a pub team playing in front of 3,348 fans !
Did the annual darts and domino's contest take place also?. Be careful FC, with over a third of your attendence under 18's you might get a visit from the under age drinking team.
compare the attendance to their next home game when they are not offering free entry with a gift (may I add)
This will give them a better idea of where the club is going.
A Measure of FC United`s status can be guaged by how many sad jealous fans of so called "massive clubs" feel the necessity to continually try and belittle us.
I am quite happy with who and where we are and have no interest in posting pathetic comments on other sites.
Principles and the match going experience count for a lot but some people will never get that.
FCUoM beat Curzon Ashton 3-2 tonight and believe you me the result flattered Curzon. Up the Reds!
Stad, top comment. Great result last night. On another note,how about MEN having a comment page for bitter and deluded people so they could post their inane ramblings on there. Maybe call it the saying a lot about nothing page.
GOOLE v. FC UNITED preview. The Reds were soundly beaten 5-1 by Nantwich Town in the quarter finals, but due to the home team fielding an ineligible player, the Dabbers were unceremoniously kicked out of the competition and Untied brought back in. With a serious title challenge mounting, United will be looking to give the fans even more to shout about with a cup game that could be as good as the Congleton game, the Curzon final, the trip to Fleetwood or even the battle with Quorn and if successful the Reds will be into their second cup final in two years. Margy's men will know that victory isn't guaranteed and even with their recent run of decent results Goole represent a tough task. Originally formed in 1912 as Goole Town Football Club the East Yorkshire Club are affectionately known as the Vikings and currently ply their trade in UniBond Division One South. A long history in the Midland League and the Yorkshire Football league saw them crowned champions of the Yorkshire League on four separate occasions, but this was surpassed by the teams achievements in the FA Cup.
The team has made it past the qualifying stage on two separate occasions, firstly back in 1915, when they reached the first round proper before crashing out on the wrong side of a 9-3 defeat to Middlesbrough .
In 1957 the club beat Wigan Athletic and Workington before reaching the third round, where they were given a tough tie against Nottingham Forest; who won the cup two years later in 1959.
The Vikings were also founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968 and alongside teams like Wigan Athletic, Boston United, Macclesfield Town and Scarborough. The club finished the league's inaugural season in 8th place.
Despite a long association with the NPL, the club has never won or come close to winning the championship, although they won the league cup in 1989 a feat they will be looking to replicate in this season's President's Cup.
Some FC United supporters may have been here before because Alex Ferguson brought his men here for a friendly in 1987, with United running out 4-3 winners in front of a crowd of 1,759.
The Vikings reached the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Wakefield in February. Before this the club beat Spalding United 3-1 and Stocksbridge Park Steels 2-1.
The Vikings are sailing in high waters in the league, currently lying in fourth place with 53 points from 30 games and will be looking to make an assault on the play-offs at the end of the season.
One man that the Reds defence will defiantly have to watch is forward Chris Tate; not the dead millionaire from Emmerdale, the striker who used to play for League One side Leyton Orient and last season played in Sweden .
The Vikings were fortunate to escape from their last fixture with a point after Chris Tate scored a last minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Grestley Rovers.
Saturday's game is at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds and is the usual 3pm kick off. Admission is priced at £6 adults and £4 concessions. So why not get yourself down to that football ground and hopefully push United into another cup final?
Next up, GOOLE AFC v. FC UNITED, After last nights 3-2 win over promotion rivals Curzon Ashton, we get an unexpected opportunity to play in the semi-finals of the President's Cup on Saturday 8th March 2008, k.o. 3.00pm. This match is to be played at Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Marcus Street, Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 6TW. This match will be pay on the gate. Admission prices are: £6 adults, £4 concessions
Directions by car: Leave the M62 at Junction 36 and follow signs to Goole Town Centre. Turn right at the 2nd set of traffic lights into Boothferry Road. Turn right again after 300 yards into Carter Street. The Victoria Pleasure Grounds is at the end of the road. 366 Metres from Goole Railway Station.
Coach Travel: FC United are running an official supporters coach to this game. The coach will depart from Chorlton Street at 11am. Prices are £12 adults and £6 concessions. To book on line http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/away_travel.php
Stew, don't worry mate, 10p Beer night will be on the way. Maybe even free pizza and hot wings. It is what pubs do to get customers.
what was the attendance?
Here's one with a community interest that's worth knowing about. MANCAT Football Academy trials are to take place on Monday 10th March at Nicholls Community Football Centre in Ardwick. The trials are for current Year 11 pupils who plan to study full-time at MANCAT in September.
MANCAT run sport academies in men and women's football plus basketball, rugby and cricket.
MANCAT's male football teams compete in the British Colleges' League and the Football Conference Youth League. In the Conference League MANCAT represent FC United. In the first season of our partnership the squad are just one win away from securing the title of the northern division against the likes of Garforth Town, Workington, Stalybridge, Halifax and Burton Albion.
www.fcyl.co.uk
The partnership between FC United and MANCAT has proved to be very successful with a number of young players progressing to the FC United under 18s. It is a chance for young people to gain academic qualifications as well as receiving a high standard of coaching from the MANCAT staff.
FC first team manger Karl Marginson said "The link up with MANCAT has been tremendous, as well as providing a pathway into FC squads all the young players receive great encouragement and advice from the coaching staff to help improve them as players and also gain qualifications."
The Trials will be held on Monday 10th March at 4:30pm at Nicholls Community Football Centre of Excellence, Ford Street, Off Hyde Rd, Ardwick, Manchester M12 6BA.
Any school leavers interested should contact: Craig Thomas on 0161 953 5995 ext 4811 or e-mail craig_thomas@mancat.ac.uk
The league have fined the club five hundred quid for failure to fulfil the Woodley fixture, when the pitch was deemed playable only for a Bury official to say the pitch was ahem..... unavailable. What do people think, pass the bill onto Bury F.C.