MATCH REPORT: FC United of Manchester 1-2 Workington AFC
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
An eventful afternoon at Broadhurst Park culminated in Reds obtaining that elusive first win of the season, at the fifth attempt, extending their unbeaten record on the ground to four matches in the process.
Workington scored all three goals in this early season bottom four clash and that was obviously a major talking point afterwards. But the game will also be remembered for a unique incident with less than twenty minutes on the clock.
Reds’ Jack Dickinson was at the centre of an unusual situation I, or anyone else for that matter, had never witnessed during a game, at any level.
Jack had sustained a blow to his ankle after a brave collision with Adam Le Fondre, a tackle which probably prevented an early goal for the hosts. The key defender was off the field receiving treatment but returned to the pitch without the referee’s permission and immediately played the ball.
Play was stopped and, after much discussion with his assistant, referee Abdul Hakimy awarded the home side a penalty. Even the referees’ assessor had to make a ‘phone call to confirm it was the right decision. It was.
So, credit to the officials for solving this one and a bucket load of sympathy to Dickinson who, in a few minutes of madness, sustained a painful injury, conceded a penalty, picked up a yellow card and hobbled off for an early shower.
Le Fondre still had to take the spot-kick but even he, with hundreds of career goals behind him, was distracted. He blasted the penalty hopelessly wide from twelve yards to end a truly bizarre situation.
Reds had already showed signs of being in the mood and they remained in control after the incident without creating too many clear-cut chances.
It was goalless at the break and both sides would have probably settled for such an outcome after their respect poor starts. But the below average crowd was entertained in a decent second half with Billy Barr’s battlers squandering several chances.
Jake Allan’s charging run soon after the restart saw a thunderous shot just zip past the angle of post and crossbar – and that boosted confidence in the Cumbrians camp.
Brennan Dickenson’s back header was easily gathered by Dan Atherton in the next attack as were weak efforts from Kai Nugent and Dan Hopper. Allan tried his luck again and Atherton pushed the ball away for a corner.
When FC United countered, Alex Mitchell had to be alert to keep out a Matty Grivosti effort.
But then Tom Stephenson side-footed wide from close range as Workington went in search of a winner.
And their enterprising counter-attacking football was rewarded in the eighty-first minute with a well-worked goal.
Hopper’s ‘pass of the season’ released Nugent down the left and his low cross culminated with Luke Hunter driving the ball into Atherton’s net.
There was a response from FC United but, for once, Workington seemed to be in control of the situation, one or two heart-stopping moments apart!
Then euphoria in the eighty-ninth minute with Reds doubling their lead when Hopper, for the second time this year, netted for Workington at this venue. Hunter provided the assist and Hopper’s confident finish had the visiting fans cheering before the ball actually crossed the line.
United, to their credit, kept going although, the lifeline provided by Brad Carroll’s own-goal in the first of five added minutes, was probably too little, too late.
The Reds skipper went up to head the ball, just as Mitchell had advanced off his line, and it sailed over the ‘keeper and into the net.
United’s fans grasped at hope whilst the Workington faithful were going through their normal nerve-wracking, stoppage time rituals.
The final whistle was greeted with huge relief as the first win was secured.
FC United of Manchester: Atherton, Thompson, Devine, Wisdom (Hayes-Green, 86), Palinkas, Evans, Grivosti, Ennis (Fearnley, 61), Le Fondre, Sudworth, Snowball (Sidibe, 79). Substitutes – Pettifer, Jatta (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Barnes, Leslie (Hopper, 62), Casson, Douglas, Dickinson (Stephenson, 24), Allan, Carroll, Dickenson, Nugent, Hunter. Substitutes – Rigby, Palmer, Thomson (not used).
Referee: Abdul Hakimy, Wakefield
Booking: Dickinson (Workington)
Attendance: 1,289
