FC United of Manchester 1 - Lancaster City 0:
VALIANT CITY BOW OUT
Lancaster City produced arguably their finest performance of the season so far in losing this FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round replay by one goal to nil, playing as they did for 107 minutes with ten men in the intimidating atmosphere of Bury’s Gigg Lane Stadium against a team from one Division above.
The tie was effectively decided in the thirteenth minute when City’s Chris Ward tangled with FC United’s number ten, Jerome Wright, close to the touch-line. Referee, Mr K Hayward, who had already upset the large and exuberant band of travelling fans with some idiosyncratic decisions, had no hesitation in showing Ward a red card for an alleged stamp, but inexplicably gave only yellow to Fowler, who had appeared to butt Ward in the chest. Mr. Hayward continued to invite the fury of the Lancaster faithful by brandishing a yellow card for virtually every City infringement, however innocuous, whilst Fowler, despite being penalised for a further three fouls, escaped further punishment.
Despite, or perhaps, because of their deep sense of injustice at the stacking of the odds against them, City’s ten men rose to the heights, turning in a display which can only be described as heroic. Andrew Teague and skipper Michael Stringfellow gave a masterclass in the art of defending, their tackles, clearances and blocks constantly thwarting a United side determined to exploit their numerical advantage to the full. Behind them, keeper Martin Fearon produced a series of saves out of the top drawer, the best of which was a stunning leap and one handed save to turn a searing shot around the post. Ironically, this effort proved to be redundant as an offside flag was raised and City were awarded a free-kick.
As in the first game at Giant Axe, United’s wingmen, Carlo Roca and Phil Marsh were a constant threat, but were held in check by Neil Marshall and Rob Henry, despite the adverse involvement of the referee. In midfield, Dom Ward seems to grow in stature with every game, and he was ably assisted by Paul Jarvis and Roger Sharrock, neither of whom had much opportunity to involve themselves in attack, Sharrock in particular receiving little change out of FC United right back Ludovic Quistin, whose defensive partner Simon Garner effectively shackled an apparently out-of-sorts Mike Rushton.
This left Jordan Connerton to plough a lone furrow up front, which he did tirelessly, covering every blade of grass in his efforts to put pressure on the United back-line. In fact, despite all the Manchester pressure, Connerton came close to providing City with a winner in the closing moments of normal time, as his inch-perfect pass played in Max Rothwell on the right, the youngster’s final shot just clearing the United crossbar. Rothwell had replaced Rushton, and further substitutions followed as Dom Ward and Sharrock, having given everything for the cause, were replaced by Rob Wilson and Adam Farrell.
Had this been a league game, City’s heroics would have produced a valuable point. As it was, the game went into extra time and, with a sickeningly inevitable irony, the only goal was created by Jerome Wright who, in the opinion of most people, should not have been on the pitch, his cross from the left being met by a powerful header from substitute Ben Deegan which left even Martin Fearon helpless.
Still, however, City refused to buckle. A shot from distance was fumbled by United keeper Sam Ashton, the ball being scrambled to safety by a panicky defence, and as the minutes ticked away, the home fans were whistling desperately for the end, an end which brought a torrent of well-earned applause for the Lancaster heroes.
Lancaster City: Fearon (9), Henry (7), Marshall (7), Teague(9), Stringfellow (9), D Ward (8) (Wilson), Rushton(6) (Rothwell), C Ward(-), Connerton (7), Jarvis (6), Sharrock (6) (Farrell).
Subs Not Used: Heffernan, Beesley
FCUM: Ashton, Quistan, Garner, Moses (Carden), Swirad, Tong, Roca, Cottrell, Yoffe (Mack), Wright, Marsh (Deegan)
Subs Not Used: Veville, Ibrahim
Star man. A close call among Fearon, Teague, and Stringfellow. Martin Fearon gets the nod for some breathtaking saves.
Referee: Mr. K Hayward (5),
Fr Tony Keefe
Wednesday 4th November 2009
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