Harrogate RA 1 FC United 3

April 10, 2008

TWO goals from Stuart Rudd and one from Chris Baguley secured victory for FC United and galvanised their hopes of promotion to the Unibond Premier Division.

Rudd struck in five frantic second-half minutes, his second a wonderful lob from the edge of the box, before Baguley sealed the points.

This was United's first win since March 26 and sees them close the gap with First Division leaders Curzon Ashton to seven points with five games left.

Rebels' boss Karl Marginson was pleased with the ruthlessness his side showed, especially after they had started sluggishly and deservedly found themselves a goal down on 25 minutes from a Ben Jones penalty following Shaun Roscoe's clumsy tackle.

The visitors got back into the match through a combination of determination and quick-passing and equalised on 46 minutes when Rudd turned his marker and rolled the ball past keeper Tom Morgan.

The imposing forward struck again soon after and as the hosts tired the Rebels went for the kill.

Top scorer Rory Patterson almost got the third when he hit the bar with a right-footed strike but Baguley made sure with a close-range shot.

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Free Red, Manchester (10/04/2008 at 12:22)

Last night win was a well deserved end to our world wide tour of Yorkshire. I always though that playing an away game every two days would be no easy task but I think we have come through it in good shape for the play-offs and if the lads can carry this resurgence through to the last few games we'll definitely be in the promotion playoffs. On April 12th FC United face Lancaster City at Gigg Lane. It is our last Saturday home match of the season and will be another crucial match in our push for a third consecutive league promotion. The Board are promoting this match as Reds Re-United Day and u18's will gain free entry to this match.

Then on Sunday we have our general to be held at Manchester Apollo, Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 6AP. The Notice for the General Meeting has been sent out to members either by email or through the post. If you are a member and not yet received your Notice then please contact the office to check that we have your correct details on 0161 273 8950 or email office@fc-utd.co.uk

Member Participation. General Meetings of the Club are an opportunity for members to shape club policy and influence its future direction. The board is keen for members to have a greater input to the organisation and running of the club and its general meetings, and proposes establishing a 'meeting arrangements committee’; this committee will work with the Club Secretary to help organise the Annual General Meeting, held in Autumn, and the General Meeting, held in the Spring. Three members have put there names forward to be on the committee. The membership will vote on the day of the General Meeting for them to be accepted onto the committee. Membership for the 2007/08 season is now closed until after the General Meeting.

Directions and Parking. The Manchester Apollo is situated on the A6, Stockport Road (at the roundabout with Hyde Road, A57), approximately 3/4 mile South of Piccadilly Railway / Metrolink Station. A frequent bus service, 192, is available from outside Piccadilly Railway / Metrolink Station to the theatre. Journey time is approximately 3 minutes. Taxi fare from Piccadilly Railway / Metrolink Station is approximately £3.00. There are two official car parks immediately adjacent to the theatre. Only members over the age of 16 are able to attend and vote at the AGM. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Drifter, Mancunia (10/04/2008 at 15:51)

It was a terrific comeback FC pulled off last night. Talk about a game with two halves. We looked fairly ordinary in the first half and even though the pen was a bit harsh I think Harrogate was the better team. In the second half it FC looked a different team. It was just like watchin' Brazil (well kind of) and big United are off to Barca as well. Roll on Saturday. Up the Reds.

NEIL MCLAREN (11/04/2008 at 11:00)

WHAT HAS UTD IN BARCELONA GOT TO DO WITH DRIFTER.YOU LEFT OUR CLUB A LONG TIME AGO.DONT START JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGGON.

Drifter, Mancunia (11/04/2008 at 11:32)

Neil for your information I go to Old Trafford all the time same as lots of United fans who follow FCUM. Thing is I am only a member cos I can't afford a season ticket. Members can't get tickets for every game. I can't afford every game anyway so when I watch some games on telly and FCUM the times don't clash so I can. You should try it some time FCUM is great fun.

phil m, cumbria (12/04/2008 at 14:34)

Free to do what we want to do.

LMTB holder (13/04/2008 at 08:28)

Two uniteds but the soul is one....

Some people just don't get it.

Si, East Manchester, Audenshaw (13/04/2008 at 19:58)

I didn't realise a new law had been passed which says you're not allowed to want Man Utd to win anymore if you go and pay to watch FC United instead? Passed me by completely that one....;-)

Drifter, Mancunia (13/04/2008 at 20:05)

FCUM won 5-2 yesterday we went through Lancaster line a giant axe at Le Stad de Gigg. United won 2-1 today and the Gooners are out of it. Some of us can say "I was there for both" What a weekend. Up the Reds.

Free Red, Manchester (14/04/2008 at 09:42)

FC United turned on the style as they beat Lancaster City 5-2 at Gigg Lane on Saturday and closed the gap on league leaders Curzon Ashton to just five points with four games remaining.

Rob Nugent and Rory Patterson both bagged two goals with Stuart Rudd chipping in with the other in front of a bumper crowd of 2,704 in what was United’s final Saturday home game of the season

Despite the comprehensive scoreline, it was actually the Dolly Blues who took the early advantage after two minutes when Mark Jackson beat United's offside trap and coolly slotted past Sam Ashton to put the visitors a goal to the good.

United didn't look fazed and calmly knocked the ball around, working their way back in and after 14 minutes were back on level terms when Rudd got one-on-one with Blues goalkeeper Ben Price. Rudd lobbed the ball over the 'keeper and into the net.

The end-to-end theme carried on and less than five minutes later Lancaster were in front again when Aaron Heliwell worked some space in the box before firing home into the bottom corner.

Once more United carried on regardless and Simon Carden had a guilt edged chance to level the scores but saw his effort put wide by Price. The Reds faithful didn't have to wait long for the equaliser though, when a Jerome Wright corner hit Nugent and ended up in the visitor's net.

That goal was slightly fortunate but it wasn't a patch on the United’s third which saw them take the lead in bizarre circumstances. Patterson fired a volley in from 30 yards and it looked a simple save for Price, but he fumbled the ball against his chest and looped up over his head and sneaked over the line to give United a 3-2 lead.

The goalscorer was mischievously announced as Price but Patterson will surely look to claim the goal as his own. The Dolly Blues looked to get on level terms straight away but Mark Jackson's strike came back off the post.

United scorned a couple of good chances before half time, in particular when Rudd worked a bit of space but saw his shot deflect wide. After a riveting first half United led 3-2.

The blistering pace continued at the start of the second half as both Michael Rushton and Helliwell had great chances to level things up for the visitors. United needed a goal to give themselves a two goal cushion and a bit of breathing space and top scorer Patterson obliged. The Irishman had the ball at the edge of the box and managed to squirm through the Lancaster defence and slot home to put United 4-2 up.

With that goal the match was as good as over and with more than 25 minutes Margy had the comfort of taking off Patterson, Carden and Wright; obviously looking towards the end of season run in and the two midweek games against Radcliffe Borough.

With the game in the bag and three key players being substituted the pace died down a little in the final third of the match, but there was still time for Nugent to meet a corner with a typically powerful header to score United’s fifth and his second goal of the afternoon.

Lancaster to their credit never gave up and Jackson hit the post from a free kick which left Sam Ashton rooted to the spot. On another day Jackson could have come away with a famous hat-trick.

But on this day there was no stopping Margy's men. United will be buoyed by a good footballing performance and the fact that both Curzon Ashton (0-0 at Harrogate Railway) and Skelmersdale United (lost 2-1 at home to Radcliffe Borough) dropped points. There's still plenty to play for.

Free Red, Manchester (14/04/2008 at 10:32)

Next two up, RADCLIFFE v FC UNITED, 2nd away league match, Tuesday 15th April 2008 Kick Off 7.45pm. This match will be played at Radcliffe Borough's Inn2gether Stadium, Stainton Park, Pilkington Road, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 3PE. Adults £7, Concessions £4, Under 16s £1.

Directions: M62 junction 17 – follow signs for 'Whitefield' and 'Bury'. Take A665 to Radcliffe via by-pass to Bolton Road. Signposted to turn right into Unsworth Street opposite Turf Hotel. The Inn2Gether Stadium is on the left approximately half a mile turning Colshaw Close East. Parking: There will be limited parking available at £2 per car.

Then, FC UNITED v RADCLIFFE, in the President's Cup Final. Thursday 17th April 2008 Kick Off 7.45pm. This game is to be played at Curzon Ashton's Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton Under Lyne, OL7 9HG. This game will be pay on the gate. Adults £7, Concessions £5, U16s £2.

Directions: From Stockport (south) direction Leave the M60 at junc 23 (Ashton-U-Lyne). Turn left at the top of the slip road, go straight through the next set of lights, and bear right (onto Lord Sheldon Way) at the next set. Continue on this road until you come to a set of traffic lights with the Cineworld Cinema on your right. Turn left here onto Richmond St. Over the bridge, across the mini-roundabout and then first left down to the ground.

From Oldham (north) direction Leave the M60 at junc 23 (Ashton-U-Lyne) and turn right at the top of the slip road signposted A635 Manchester. Turn right at the second set of traffic lights, sign posted Ashton Moss, and then follow directions as from the south.

Parking. There will be a parking charge of £2.00 and once the ground car park is full then there will be parking available at the top of the access road. Parking for disabled drivers will be free but supporters must clearly display their blue badge. There is free car parking available on the industrial estate situated on Lord Sheldon Way which is a ten minute walk from the ground. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

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