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FC United bounce back with Belper bonanza

FC United got their 2022/23 season up and running at the second attempt with a well-deserved 4-1 victory at newly promoted Belper Town on Tuesday night, thanks to a brace from Regan Linney plus a goal each from Michael Donohue and Charlie Ennis. 

It was a welcome return to form after Saturday’s poor performance and result against Atherton Collieries. It was The Reds who started well, Curtis Jones seeing a shot hit the post in the early stages and they took a deserved lead inside 15 minutes when Linney did well and chipped the ball into Donohue who was in acres of space in the box. 

He took his time and chipped the ball over Max Culverwell into the net. The home side did start to come into the game, Kyle Dixon shooting at Dan Lavercombe, and a freekick was fizzed goalwards, which Lavercombe did well to tip wide. Just before the half hour, Belper were almost on level terms but Ben Middleton rattled the crossbar with his header. 

Six minutes before the interval, the home side did equalise when a short Andy Halls backless played in ex FC player Brodie Litchfield who saw his first shot saved well by Lavercombe only to see the ricochet hit the back of the net. 1-1. 

It was a blow to concede so close to half time and the hope was that, as with Saturday, FC wouldn’t concede again and go on to lose. Within three minutes of the restart, that fear was put to bed when a Charlie Ennis freekick was headed across goal by Jones to the far post where Linney tapped home the equaliser. 

This goal produced a few chances for FC, Edy Maieco firing wide form 30 yards and Linney firing at Culverwell after good work by Greg Hall. Belper were looking dangerous from all manner of set pieces that were testing for the FC defence but the payers stood firm although sub Derry Robson did sting the hands of Lavercombe with a shot from the edge of the box.

With FC pushing to extend their lead, Belper were hampered on 76 minutes when a long ball released Linney. Culverwell raced 30 yards from his goal with Linney trying to push the ball past him. As it passed, he handled the ball giving the referee no option but to send him from the field. 

Five minutes before the end, the lead was extended when a good move involving Max McCarthy and Maieco found Ennis who fired an unstoppable shot past replacement keeper Middleton for 3-1. To be fair to Middleton, a full time keeper would have struggled to keep the shot out. Two minutes later, the game was ended when Linney powered into the box and fired the ball into the far corner from a tight angle.

The game was the perfect pick me up after the disappointment of Saturday and manager Neil Reynolds will be hoping to continue with three more points at Whitby on Saturday.

Man of the match: Greg Hall. A first start for FC United and a very accomplished performance showing confidence in both defence and attack.

Report by Steven Wood


First Posted ~ 23:08 Wed 17 Aug 2022
News ID ~ 9353
Last Updated ~ 16:36 Wed 2 Nov 2022