FC UNITED picked up some silverware before the season has even begun, beating soul brothers AFC Wimbledon 2-1 to lift the Supporters Direct Trophy.

A crowd of 2,136, including around 300 visiting supporters, was at Gigg Lane to see the Ryman League premier side - formed four years ago when the original Wimbledon was bought and moved to Milton Keynes by businessman Charles Koppel - take a deserved first half lead through the lively Paul Barnes.

But FC came to life after the break, especially after skipper Dave Brown powered home the equaliser from Steve Torpey's free-kick.

FC midfielder Simon Carden and the Dons' Scott Curley forgot the `friendly' tag and were sent off for violent conduct after 65 minutes, but Torpey settled the match, lashing home a half-volley after hesitancy in the Wimbledon defence.

FC played what appears to be manager Karl Marginson's favoured line-up, with new full-backs Matty Taylor and Alex Mortimer, and striker Stuart Rudd claiming places.

But Marginson makes it plain that the heat is on for places, and for the six contracts up for grabs, and that he expects stiffer competition for places this season.

"The interest from non-league players in playing for us is scary," he says. "I get phone call after phone call, from people who want to come here.

"There are plenty of experienced semi-pros who would come here given the chance, but some of them want to come for the wrong reasons."

Meanwhile, M.E.N. SPORT journalist Stuart Brennan has made history after being voted the Football Supportersé Federation Writer of the Year é the first provincial paper correspondent to receive the award.

Malcolm Clarke, the Federation chairman, said: éStuart received nominations from both United and FC Unitedés fans who are among the 130,000 members of our organisation and our council had to decide from a shortlist.

éStuart proved he has courage in his reporting of the Glazer issue at United and in the way he has covered FC United during their inaugural season, to be a worthy winner of this award.

éStuartés excellent journalism shone through as did the paperés perceptive coverage of the Glazer takeover and the setting-up of FC United.é

Jules Spencer, an FC United board member and club spokesman, added: éStuart has been a long-time champion of supportersé causes going back many years and he was the first to recognise that FC United should not be dismissed as a futile ambition.

éHe, together with the M.E.N. website, and of course the paper, have been great supporters to FC United which we all appreciate.é

Brennan, 42, who has been at the M.E.N. for eight years, received his award on the pitch at Gigg Lane, Bury, ahead of FC Unitedés Supporters Direct Cup match against AFC Wimbledon.

Tweet