I could have swore we played in red last night (lol)

Second half goals from Carlos Roca and Simon Carden secured a vital victory for FC United against promotion rivals North Ferriby United on Humberside on Tuesday night – a win that keeps the Reds’ play-off hopes alive.

After a tight first half, the hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute for a blatant handball and Roca broke the deadlock by putting away the resulting penalty with aplomb. Then with 15 minutes to go, Carden sealed the victory as United produced a professional performance against tricky opponents.

The win puts the Reds up to seventh pace and just two points shy of the play-off places. With only eight games left in the season, United take on seven of the top ten teams knowing that a string of victories should be enough to get them into the play-offs.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks on a cold evening in East Yorkshire, they set about their opponents with energy and conviction, determined to build on the 2-0 victory over Frickley Athletic at the weekend.

It was Jerome Wright, back in the team after serving a one-match suspension, who looked the most lively. The winger went close twice in the opening 45 minutes, fizzing one effort wide and producing a good save out of Steve Wilson in the North Ferriby goal.

At the other end, Sam Ashton had to be alert to deny young striker Colin Hunter after he had combined well with Callum Russell but in the main it was the Reds who looked the most dangerous.

Into the second half and North Ferriby had a spell of possession where they looked like they might try to take control of the match and over power the men from Manchester. However, the defence ably led by Rob Nugent were looking extremely composed and dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

Simon Carden and Tunji Moses were battling hard in midfield and it was a tackle by Carden that set Wright free just after the hour mark. Wright pulled the trigger and sent a blistering effort towards goal.

With Wilson looking beaten, fullback Danny Moore opted to handle the ball on the goal-line. It was as blatant as they come and the referee had no option but to award a penalty and give Moore his marching orders.

Roca picked the ball up and placed it on the spot. For a few moments the tension was unbearable. The diminutive forward stepped up and placed the ball into the back of the net with great composure to send the travelling Red army into raptures.

After going a goal up, United took control of the game and made having the extra man count. Some lovely possession football saw each red shirted player getting involved and knocking the ball around the park.

With 15 minutes to go, Adam Carden made a run down the right wing and was able to use his quick feet to avoid North Ferriby’s desperate challenges. He whipped a cross into the box and Simon Carden was on hand, unmarked to turn the ball home after making the perfect late run into the penalty area.

With a two goal cushion the result looked like it should be secured and United shut up shop in a professional manner to guarantee that all three points would be travelling back across the M62 to Manchester. Next up it’s Hednesford Town away on Saturday where everyone will be hoping for more of the same.

Maybe, just maybe............? It is very much a red Manc thing, after all, to be virtually written off, then come from nowhere to achieve things. All FC can do is keep winning and hope things elsewhere go our way. As our revered manager said in his programme notes last Satuday "It is doable." After two successive wins, both without conceding, it certainly looks far more likely than it did on Saturday morning. Roll on Hednesford on Saturday. We need a good turnout from our amazing support, but much more importantly, the usual 90/90 ! I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

Free Red, FC John and Drifter. Keep dreaming about your pub-team! No-else is bothered!

Except you Cheshire bitter! Great win once again the Reds are on the up

Good win up there. 8 games left now, let's hope it's a few more.

.....and Vegas Bitter, you're on our threads more than anyone else so either you're a closet fan or the village idiot. I'd wager the latter.

Si, East Manchester. I would go with the latter as well, proper banjo boy (lol) Bring on Hednesford Town!

I have a theory about our six-fingered friend from Staly.He hates anything and anyone red, but unfortunately has this obsessive compulsion that attracts him to those who are associated with success and silverware. These are of course things of which he has been deprived all of his boring, bitter and disappointing life. Naturally, with all the success FC have had in our short existence, he is like a moth to a flame. Every time he comes on here he gets badly burned and makes a complete fool of himself, but he just can't stop himself. 33 years eh ? Roll on the NEXT 33 !

My apologies for only listing three people who are bothered about FC United, I omitted Simple Simon!

Well add me to that list Vegas Blue cos there's more than three or four (thousand)of us who don't have to write comments on here to show our allegance to FC. Forza FC and the MainStandUltras!!!

as predictable as it is boring, yet another FC story become an exercise in self-aggrandisement by the bitterest tub-thumpers in manchester.

Luckly people know to ignore the main standers, its pretty easy as they can't even be heard on matchday over the WALL OF NOISE from MRE


MRE - louder than bombs

Well said, toast. They do say Phil Spector invented the "wall of sound" all those years ago. No doubt this is true, but the MRE have taken the wall to new unexplored heights - and lifted the roof off it ! Louder than bombs indeed.

MRE IS louder than bombs.

WE ARE THE MAIN STAND, WE'RE LOUDER THAN YOU!!!

You KNOW the answer to that, Bonner ! You hear it every time the MRE drown you out. One word. 8 letters. Nuff said.