FC United

2

Glossop North End

2

HT: 1 - 0

FC United of Manchester 2 Glossop North End 2
(FC United win 6-5 on penalties.)

A controversial linesman’s decision was the main talking point of this game post-match in this Manchester Premier Cup game, with Tom Bailey through on goal in the last minute of the game and seemingly well onside, the flag was raised extremely late. It was to the disgust of the GNE fans, and to the amusement of the FCUM ones.

In truth though, North End had had enough chances to be well in front. Had they taken their chances, they wouldn’t have had to stage a magnificent fightback from 2-0 either – although of course the game may not have been as exciting. This was a terrific cup tie.

North End should have opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Astley Mulholland put in a perfect cross along the 6 yard line for Ashley Stott, but the striker somehow screwed his touch wide. FC responded, and Greg Hall had to push a curling Cameron Murray shot wide.

However, on 35 minutes the home side did strike. A looped ball into the box was headed by Matt Russell, but it hit the player he was jumping with, and the ball ricocheted perfectly to the feet of Mike Norton, 6 yards out, and the FCUM all-time leading scorer does not miss opportunities like that.

6 minutes later Mulholland again put in a teasing cross that only needed a finishing touch, but again Stott shot wide. Then, on the stroke of half time, debutant Josh Brizzell sidefooted a shot from the edge of the area, only to see his cannon off the crossbar.

In the second half FCUM extended their lead in the 62nd minute when some neat football at the edge of the area led to a through ball for Craig Lindfield. He controlled, turned and despatched an angled shot past Hall to make it 2-0 from two real chances. Clinical finishing was the difference.

But Glossop raised their game again, and on 68 minutes they were back in with a chance when a free kick from the left was floated onto the 6 yard line and met by Kieran Lugsden, who had ghosted in behind the defence.
Bailey had a header clawed out off the line by keeper Nick Culkin when it looked to be a goal and minutes later his header was cleared off the line.

On 79 minutes Hall made a superb save from a Tom Brown shot, and the ball was cleared upfield. Suddenly Bailey was in behind the defence, and although Culkin saved his shot the ball ran to Eddie Moran who tapped it into the empty net.

With 5 minutes to go it was FC’s turn to hit the bar when Liam Brownhill’s shot was missed by Hall, but it bounced away. The follow up shot from the edge of the area was spilled by the keeper and started a scramble, but eventually cleared.

It was end to end, and Sam Hare just couldn’t pick out a teammate when getting to the by-line and looking to cut a pass back. Then came that controversial moment where Bailey was through only to be thwarted by the erroneous flag.

However, there was still a gilt edged chance when lovely football led to Moran cutting back for Lugsden, who had a clear shot on goal from the penalty spot, but blasted over the bar.

The full time whistle meant penalties – no extra time in this competition – and both teams netted their first two, missed their third, and then scored their next three. With the scores at 5-5 in sudden death Scott Cheetham netted FC’s seventh penalty and whilst Martin Parker sent the keeper the wrong way, his kick hit the post and consigned Glossop North End to an unfortunate defeat – the club’s first in penalty shoot outs.

However, in front of a crowd of 980, the players and the fans of The Hillmen had done the club proud.