FC United Of Manchester vs Matlock Town FC
FC United Of Manchester
1Broadhurst Park
Northern Premier League
Matlock Town FC
1Match Report
A 77th minute equaliser from veteran striker Adam Le Fondre denied new Matlock boss Ryan Cresswell a first win in charge as they drew 1-1 at FC United of Manchester on Saturday.
Following on from an encouraging display in Cresswell’s first game in charge at Ashton United four days earlier, the Gladiators welcomed three new players into their starting line-up and battled well throughout this encounter with an FC United side who themselves only appointed a new boss after the game.
And despite one of the new faces, Josh Smith, netting on his first start for the club, it was Le Fondre who had the last laugh.
Josh Granite, signed from Buxton, and winger Sean Etaluku, who has joined on loan from Barrow, joined Smith in the starting line-up and helped the visitors start brightly, Etaluku enjoying an early run at the United defence but his cross eluding all in the middle.
Smith saw a shot from the edge of the box fly just wide seven minutes in, then at the other end Charlie Ennis saw his low shot claimed by Rogan Ravenhill in the Matlock goal who would prove very reliable all afternoon.
Jay Fitzmartin arrowed a shot wide of the far post for the hosts two minutes later, before a bit of luck nearly went Matlock’s way as Reece Kendall’s cross floated over goalkeeper Charlie Casper and hit the far post before being cleared.
But two minutes later came the opener, as Casper’s poor clearance was straight to Connor Dimaio who in turn threaded a ball into Smith and he finished well into the far corner.
Remaye Campbell fired wide for the Gladiators before half-time, but the break arrived with just the one goal to show for Matlock’s endeavours.
A strong start to the second-half saw Matlock’s Etaluku hit the side netting having made space for himself.
Then came their best chance to make it 2-0, as a counter-attack from a United corner ended with Montel Gibson making space in the penalty area but his low shot hit the foot of the post, and when United failed to clear effectively, Gibson then saw a curled effort tipped over the bar by Casper.
At the other end, Ravenhill then tipped over a Charlie Munro effort with a terrific save, then Matlock’s Connor O’Grady flicked on a corner at the near post but the ball dropped just wide via a defender’s touch having just evaded Gibson.
Etaluku then felt he should have won a penalty after appearing to be tripped in the penalty area, the referee not interested in Matlock’s shouts for a spot-kick.
And on 77 minutes, the hosts then got level, Le Fondre finding a pocket of space some 25 yards out and curling a fine effort past Ravenhill and into the net with the Gladiators keeper having no chance of getting near it.
Dontai Gabbidon nearly won it for the home side four minutes from time but rolled his shot wide when well-placed, the points perhaps fairly shared in the end on the balance of play albeit with Matlock feeling they could well have taken all three.
FCUM: Casper, Oliver (Cleary 70), Hall, Lindley, Evans, Palinkas, Ferguson (McLaughlin 55), Munro ©, Le Fondre, Ennis (Preston 62), Fitzmartin (Gabbidon 46)
Not used: Henstock
Matlock: Ravenhill, Ferguson, Kendall, Dimaio (Wood 70), Granite, O'Grady ©, Gibson, Smith, Campbell (West 63), Durose, Etaluku
Not used: Oglesby, Poole, Morris.
Att: 1472
Ref: Daniel Hitchell
Star Gladiator: Rogan Ravenhill