A slack night for Rebels

Tony Glennon

November 30, 2006

FC UNITED'S 100 per cent home record was wrecked as Atherton Collieries dug deep to storm the Rebels' Gigg Lane fortress for a 3-0 victory.

Karl Marginson's runaway North West Counties League leaders were sunk by an Anthony Pilkington hat-trick to leave a crowd of 1,723 shaking their heads in disbelief.

Pilkington struck on 15 and 45 minutes to give the visitors a 2-0 interval lead before completing his treble with a breakaway goal in the dying seconds after FC United had battled in vain to reduce the arrears.

Stuart Rudd, Danny Allen and Rob Nugent all wasted chances to hand the pacesetters a lifeline, while Josh Howard was unlucky to see his shot rattle a post.

To complete a miserable night for FC United, leading scorer Rudd was carried off late on and is now doubtful for Sunday's trip to Witton to face Congleton.

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Tommy, Tampa (30/11/2006 at 14:25)

As Hannibal from the A-team used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together." Congrats to Atherton!! Someone from Atherton send me a line and I will send along a case of Dom your way. Great job boys!

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (30/11/2006 at 14:37)

Anthony Pilkington is Atherton Collieries. We new before the match he was the one to watch and he did take his goals well. We created a fair few chances, but our crosses going in were well cleared by Atherton and our finishing was also off target. I would put it down to just one of those ties a team has now and then plus Anthony Pilkington. Not to worry, on the back of wins against Maine Road, Nantwich and Salford City I think the lads deserved a blip. It also keeps the title race alive so when we play the reverse matches against Maine Road, Nantwich, Salford City and now Atherton the ties will have extra spice. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Phil, Lids (30/11/2006 at 15:18)

They closed us down very well last night and were the best organised team I have seen play at Gigg Lane. Saying that, didn't think United got going until Phoenix came on, he's a bit quick.

Willy Wonthe, Lancaster (30/11/2006 at 15:22)

Is that the same Phoenix who's a really bad singer?

Terry Linn, Ancoats (30/11/2006 at 15:31)

No its his uncle Kevin Phoenix who's the really awful singer. He sounds like a cat being strangled. No wonder Jamie became such a fast runner.

Torpey's Ghost, Left Wing Gigg Lane (30/11/2006 at 15:42)

There's no escaping it and no excuses can be made. We played badly and they played well. They were well worth the 3-0 and at times it looked like it could have been more. There's no point playing that badly and hoping to save the game in the last 10 minutes. All of our 4 proper efforts on goal came in the last 10. With the exception of Josh Howard nobody had a good game, the whole back four, keeper and Spencer in midfield were awful. I fully expect Karl to read them the riot act and we'll bounce back against Congleton this weekend.

Patty Cook, Boothstown (30/11/2006 at 15:54)

You're not kidding Terry. I have heard Kevin Phoenix a few times and he doesn't get better with a second hearing. He's like one of those karaoke singers you wish would stop thinking they are the worlds best singer. He even tries to do the Tom Jones sex machine look too but he looks more like your favourite uncle embarrassing himself at the office Christmas party.

fcmad, cheshire (30/11/2006 at 21:23)

No excuses someone has to see that we need pace and a bite in centre midfield, virtualy every loss over 2 years has been against an organised physical team

MadFC, Chumpshire (01/12/2006 at 09:07)

The biggest surprise is that teams haven't rumbled FC more often. I think its because the opposing players are overawed by the size of the crowds and start showboating instead of getting on with the task of winning the game.

Torpey's Ghost, Left Wing Gigg Lane (01/12/2006 at 10:30)

MadFC, what's to rumble? The reason most sides in the NWCFL don't breat us is because FC Utd are better than most teams in the NWCFL. There's no secret to it, it's a fact. FC Utd have a double attraction for players at this level. 1st there's the draw of playing infront of a big crowd every weekend. 2nd FC's financial advantage means they can pay players Unibond money. Many teams in the NWCFL still have players that have to pay subs in order to play. We had an off night, they had a good night the two combined meant that we lost badly and Coll's fully deserved their win.

FC forever, Cemetery end (01/12/2006 at 10:40)

One defeat is'nt the end of the season, we are still 7 points clear with the same number played. Ok so there maybe are problems in midfield, but we have got strength in depth, some of our squad players have played at a higher level than this. Between now and the Collieries away game will be important with games against teams thaty are middle of the tableish. A good result in the vase as well would do a lot for the team. we are half way through the saeson and have got a strong first half to build on. Rudd might be injured so maybe now is the chance for Allen to show what he can do for us. Come on FC

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (01/12/2006 at 12:04)

Next up, CONGLETON v. FC UNITED, Sunday 3rd December 2006, kick off 2pm. This game is to be played at Witton Albion FCs ground Wincham Park Stadium, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6DA. The match will be pay on the gate. Admission prices are ¿¿6 Adult, ¿¿4 Concession (oaps & under 16s) ¿¿2 Under 12s. ¿¿1 charge if you require transfer to seats. Congleton beat us in a friendly last season and we have Rudd and Ashton out with injuries so I expect a close match. DIRECTIONS: From the M60 change for the M56 and then follow the signs for M6 south to Jct 19. From junction 19, follow A556 towards Northwich for 3 miles, before turning right at the beginning of the dual carriageway, onto the A559. After 3/4 of a mile, turn right at the traffic lights at the Slow & Easy pub. After another 3/4 mile, turn left opposite the Black Greyhound Inn into Wincham Lane. The ground is 1/2 mile on the left immediately after crossing the canal. Alternatively, from the M56: Leave the M56 at junction M56 J7 and straight ahead onto roundabout direction Northwich, Lymm, Birmingham. After 1.1 miles take the 1st Exit off the roundabout into A556 (Chester Road). Bear left into A559 (Manchester Road). Continue straight into A559 (Hall Lane). Turn left onto Wincham Lane. Continue straight onto Chapel Street. Witton Albion Social Club have kindly agreed to open their doors and Welcome FC United Fans. There is a 200 capacity in the Club and the food and drink is reasonably priced. There are also car parking facilities available at ¿¿1 per vehicle. The Black Greyhound (Corner of Hall Lane and Church Street) is walking distance to the ground and has a Curry house attached. The Slow and Easy is on the Junction where if arriving by car you turn right for Wincham Ind Est - A big pub, with a good range of food and drink. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Tommy, Tampa (01/12/2006 at 13:36)

Maybe FC should fire Andy Walsh and hire the Atherton GM. He probably works for free!

George, Swinton (01/12/2006 at 15:13)

Maybe FC should Fire Andy Walsh and install the Glazer Brothers, then we can buy them another club that they don't know anything about!!

stad, manchester (01/12/2006 at 16:42)

Tommy, you love us really don`t you?
Your obsession with trying to find fault with FC obviously brightens up your sad existence.
If we didn`t exist what would you do?

salford red, salford (03/12/2006 at 14:19)

SALFORD CITY 3 ATHERTON 0 WATCH OUT FC WE ARE COMING TO GET YOUR PLACE AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (03/12/2006 at 20:32)

CONGLETON 1-1 FC UNITED. In the first half we played well under par squandering chance after chance. We picked up the pace a bit in the second half but didn't take our chances. As the match went on Phil Power came on and made an almost immediate impact by getting a pen to shouts of 'theres only one Ronaldo' from behind the goal. Rory Patterson stepped up to take it only to see it saved. We scrambled a goal soon after from a corner and Congi had a player sent of for violent conduct, but they still held their own and on the balance of play I would have to say it was a better result for us. I believe Margie read our players the riot act after. We will play some strong opposition over the next month so it will be interesting to see where we are by mid January. With Salford City beating Atherton Cols 3-0 and Maine Road beating Flixton 2-3 away the league has now been blown wide open again. I would never have thought non league could be this good. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

MadFC, Chumpshire (04/12/2006 at 14:38)

Time to change this site to the Free Red Blog. Is he the only one who gets his loquacious (FR that means gobby pal) offerings posted?

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (04/12/2006 at 15:25)

Your obsessive bitterness is all of your own making. Take it out on me if you will but you only have only yourself to blame.

Johnniejohn, tunbridge wells (04/12/2006 at 15:56)

chumpshire would appear to be malcolm/tommy in yet another disguise.

MadFC, Chumpshire (05/12/2006 at 11:56)

JJ nothing to do with either Tommy or Malcolm. Can't you handle the fairly simple concept that not evryone is as gullible as you and your one trick pony mate Free Ride.

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (05/12/2006 at 13:25)

How do you think you come over? Do you think you come over as rational? Do you think you do well in argument? Do you think you ever make a point that stands up to scrutiny? No, of course you don't.

Johnniejohn, tunbridge wells (05/12/2006 at 13:50)

yes, you would say that, wouldnt you, chumpshire

Albert, Coronation Street (05/12/2006 at 13:53)

I've been reading these pages for some time and I've come to recognise the personal attacks on several contributors by a certain poster. I have no idea what this individual hopes to achieve, but I'm pretty certain of one thing. If he treats people in daily life the same way he treats Free Red and JJ, then he can have few friends. My Mum used to say that if you can't say something nice about somebody, it's better to say nothing.

MadFC, Chumpshire (06/12/2006 at 10:12)

Seems to me its you guys doing the personal attack stuff. Looking back over your postings there have been a number of people you have decided to treat in that way. All surprisingly disagreeing with your frenzied and addled view of the world. Like the bullies you are you support a bully boy mentality and club. Talk tough in numbers. Typical.

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