FCUM buoyant against high-flying South Shields

FC United lost 1-0 at home to a promotion chasing South Shields in front of a crowd of 2,198 at Broadhurst Park.  after they had put in a performance to be proud of.

The critical goal came late in the 89th minute, sentencing FC to a loss that they really didn’t deserve having dominated over the 90 minutes.

The away side, backed by a large number of travelling fans from the North East, had to work hard for their 3 points as the Reds put up a sterling effort over the 90 minutes. On another day FC’s pressure and passing play could have seen them secure the win.

It would be FC who would threaten to strike first in the game, winning back-to-back corners. However, the ball just wouldn’t go in the net, a feature of FC’s play throughout the game.

It was Dan Lavercombe that would come to the Reds’ aid on the stroke of half time, as he managed to get across his goal to deny the away side a header from point blank range.

FC re-emerged for the second half and immediately put their foot on the gas. The home side put together some very smart passing play and even hit the crossbar, but once again luck wasn’t on their side.

As the game entered its final phases, Shields looked to the bench and a familiar face to FC was brought on as a substitute, Cedric Main. As soon as he came on, it seemed written in the stars that something was going to happen.

After an FC attack, Shields counter-attacked and after a scramble in the box the ball would find the back of the net courtesy of JJ Hooper. The goal had huge ramifications on the title race and sparked the travelling support into pandemonium.

MOTM – Regan Linney – As he has done on a number of occasions this season, this was a game where Regan showed his class and maturity. He not only held the ball up well when he needed to, but he also ran in behind if needed – Linney was a real thorn in the Shields’ defence.

After the game, I spoke to FC Manager and CEO, Neil Reynolds –

“We were magnificent today, start to finish. We were well organised and good against a dogged South Shields side. The defining factor is, you look at league tables and they’re going to finish in the top places and we aren’t, because of the results.

“The game before the covid outbreak hit it was 5-3 Shields, and I said at the time, these sides deserve to be up there. They have one foot in the division above and as it is and we haven’t, but we will be up there.

“There will always be critics, but we’ve gone toe to toe with a full-time football club and shown we can mix it with the big boys.”

Next up for FC is the penultimate game of the season against Ashton on Monday in a 3pm kick off.