Sam Ashton’s injury time penalty save kept FC United’s FA Cup dream alive.
The goalkeeper crowned a superb individual performance at Brighton, diving to his right to keep out Elliott Bennett’s spot kick in the fifth minute of time added on.
It could have been even better for the Rebels, but for an 83rd minute equaliser by Mauricio Taricco to deny them a famous giant-killing.
FC United – 112 places below Brighton – shocked the league one leaders when midfielder Nicky Platt drove them ahead six minutes before the break.
But they had defender Scott McManus sent off for an elbow on substitute Gary Hart in the 69th minute and held out until Taricco’s leveller, which went in via a deflection off sub Francisco Sandaza.
The visitors’ looked set to have their hearts broken when Brighton were awarded a penalty when Sandaza was brought down by Karl Munroe.
But Ashton, who produced four superb saves before Platt’s opener, proved the hero.
Platt broke the deadlock by firing in a low shot from the edge of the area after Mike Norton’s pass.
Ashton played a vital role in the Rebels’ gallant display and was forced to make an early save from Glenn Murray.
He did well again to save a goal-bound shot from Ashley Barnes six minutes later.
Ashton came to his side’s rescue on 18 minutes by brilliantly denying Barnes again at the far post.
Brighton wasted a good opening when a slip by skipper Kyle Jacobs let in Murray with keeper Ashton off his line, but Murray’s lob was a poor one.
FC United were indebted to Ashton again seven minutes before the break as a fierce shot from Bennett was parried.
Brighton 1 FC United 1
November 27, 2010
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Not bad for a 'pub team'
Forza FCUM
Brilliant FC. I wonder how many tickets Brighton will ask for. Judging by the modest crowd at Brighton they might only want a dozen tickets. Perhaps they should be offered seats on the Brighton bench, so that we don't waste segregation space on their disinterested fans.
Great achievement today. As the crowd sang, "Every single one of us, is so proud of you, so proud of you."
Well done FC. And now for the replay!
I wonder how many tickets Brighton will want for the replay? It would be really good for the game and would help to build a great atmosphere for the occasion if they wanted their full allocation - but I can't see more than a few dozen Brighton fans wanting to make the trip for a midweek replay, let alone the 1700 -1800 which would represent their 15% entitlement.
For the first game, the FA were weak kneed about enforcing their own 15% allocation of tickets rule for "away" supporters, (emphasised by the ridiculous number of empty spaces at the Withdean which could have been given over to FC supporters) . After Saturday's game, assuming the replay is all ticket, it would add insult to injury to give Brighton a large dedicated area of the stadium if they only bring a few fans because it might again deny FC fans a ticket, which would be a shame.
If yesterday's match was category 'C' it must raise questions about how the return match should be classified - with all that that implies regarding segregation and policing. It seems that the FA, Brighton, the police and the Safety Advisory Group (whoever they are) colluded in that decision to provide the pretext to short-change FC supporters on the ticket allocation for the first match. I wonder, do the same conditions apply to segregation for the replay?
Brighton fans should of course be welcomed to Gigg Lane and we (FC) should show that we are happy to play by the rules regarding ticket allocations. I trust to the good sense of Andy Walsh and the FC Board to do the right thing by Brighton fans and talk to their club about how big an allocation they really need. Once Brighton have determined what they need, they could be asked to pay up front for their tickets - no returns accepted. That way, maybe the requisite number of tickets could be allocated to a suitably sized area of the stadium. I really don't think Brighton will want to take up much of their allocation and if this can be determined at an early stage, we can perhaps demonstrate how ticketing could be much better handled - allowing the maximum number of fans to see the match.
Heroics from Sam and another well worked goal from Platt. The volume will be cranked up another few notches at Gigg on December 8th. If Brighton send up a weakened team it could be interesting as Gus Poyet is making noises as such. They will certainly feel the force of our "12th man" in any case.
Forza FCUM
Traitors 0-4 Brighton
Yes, well done Brighton,,,,, manchester, manchester united, a bunch ov bouncin busby babes they deserve 2 b united ,
Rome collapesed from within u traitors will not destroy our world wide emipire