MATCH REPORT: FC United of Manchester 2-2 Workington AFC

Workington were seconds away from a morale boosting victory after another gallant display at Broadhurst Park.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, Reds were hanging on by their fingertips to a two-goal lead but they conceded after 87 and 95 minutes and had to be content with a point – a very good point it has to be said – when it was so nearly three!

After the pain and disappointment eased, it was time to take stock on what was another step in the right direction. Reds are making slow but steady progress and this new found belief has given us all a glimmer of hope when all seemed lost.

Yes, there are those who would gladly swap much needed wins over performances but I tend to go with the theory that performances, ultimately, will produce results. Time is running out, we know, but on the evidence of this excellent team effort, against the best FC United team for a few years, Reds are still in with a chance of avoiding the dreaded drop.

Converting defeats into draws is only one part of the process and once draws become wins the NPL Premier Division table will become less daunting.

A win for FC United would have seen them leap-frog into top spot but they had to settle for a draw and, to their credit, it was the very least that they deserved after a cracking game.

The first half was a ‘slow-burner’ and FC United were possibly surprised at our new found resilience defensively and bold intentions offensively.

Kai Nugent had the game’s first clear-cut opportunity and his well struck shot needed the fingertips of Dan Atherton to deflect the ball over the bar for a corner.

The hosts responded and Andre Wisdom’s header rebounded off the crossbar.

Another spell in United territory saw Steven Rigg go close on three occasions, a weak shot on the turn, after a good flowing move, was comfortably gathered by Atherton, a second attempt was bravely blocked before he headed Nugent’s cross high over the bar.

So, all square at the break but that changed soon after the interval. First of all, ex. Red, Ruben Grewal, dragged a good chance wide then former FC United player, Josh Galloway, put the visitors in front. He sent over a cross from the right and the ball looped over Atherton and found a resting place in the net.

That forty-ninth minute goal was a welcome change of luck for Reds but ill fortune returned almost immediately.

Tom Stephenson broke through United lines and appeared to be in with an opportunity on goal but pulled up sharply with what could only be a hamstring strain. United’s Jay Fitzmartin promptly, and sportingly, halted play by kicking the ball out for a throw-in.

Stephenson hobbled off but his replacement, Dan Hopper, 18, made another impressive impact.

He doubled Reds lead after seventy minutes when he was first to react to Isaac Whitehall’s fine shot which Atherton could only partially save. Hopper pounced to rifle in the rebound with a measured finish from an acute angle.

Matty Grivosti, a constant threat, saw one effort narrowly miss the target, a second effort rebound off Alex Mitchell’s left hand upright before he scored the crucial eighty-seventh minute goal which sparked FC United’s late rally.

He struck the ball sweetly through a crowded goalmouth and Reds were under siege.

Reds had survived seven second half corners then countered and won one of their own. It was just a case of seeing out the last minute of the game but they lost possession and that prompted one last sortie forward from the hosts.

And Mark Beesley’s side then produced their ‘get out of jail’ card. Workington couldn’t clear the ball in a crowded area and Buckley’s acrobatic overhead kick saw the ball loop over attackers and defenders alike and finish up in the net for the dramatic, late leveller.

Agony and ecstasy, take your pick!

FC United of Manchester: Atherton, Thomson (Sudworth, 78), Weston, Wisdom, Hayes-Green, Palinkas, Grivosti, Donohue (Ennis, 65), Le Fondre (Buckley, 21), Grewal (Misambo, 89), Fitzmartin (Sithole, 65).

Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Dickinson, Whitehall, Little, Magloire, Galloway, Ellis, Rigg, Stephenson (Hopper, 55), Nugent (Leslie, 81). Substitutes – Palmer, McDonough, Pickering (not used).

Referee: Jake Burton, Buxton

Bookings: Ennis (FC United of Manchester), Little, Whitehall, Ellis, Galloway, Rigg (Workington)

Attendance: 1,271