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FC United out of League Cup at Ashton - full report

FC United were knocked out of the League Challenge Cup 3-1 by Ashton United at Hurst Cross on Monday night with the Reds’ only goal being scored by Matthew Tierney.

Former FC United striker Aaron Burns put the Robins into the lead on 25 minutes via the penalty spot and two minutes later, Matt Landregan doubled the advantage.

Tierney pulled one back with 20 minutes to go, marking his first senior start for the club, but any hopes of a late comeback were dashed when Clive Moyo-Modise sealed victory for the hosts in the last minute.

Despite the result, the FC United faithful were buoyed by a good performance which was led by captain David Chadwick, making his first start of the season for club since overcoming a groin injury, and spearheaded by striker Ben Deegan who returned to action after missing the visit of Hinckley at the weekend.

FC United produced the first real chance of the game as Deegan set Chris Ovington up to test keeper Terry Smith. But minutes later Ashton could easily have taken advantage as Grant Shenton left his station to make a clearance and as the FC United keeper scrambled back, Landregan lined up an effort from outside the area. The striker however missed a golden opportunity, hitting his attempt wide and leaving Shenton relieved.

At the opposite end of the park, Ovington’s shot from the left was fumbled by Smith and FC United could have profited, however no-one was on hand to pick up the loose ball ahead of the keeper who managed to clear.

Ashton gained the advantage with 25 minutes on the clock as the referee pointed to the spot. Chadwick, obviously lacking a bit of match practice, brought down Landregan just inside the area and Burns stepped up to convert the penalty.

Landregan proved to be a continued threat on the attack and it was through the striker that the Robins’ lead was doubled two minutes later. Landregan was given space to run through the FC defence and as Shenton came off his line to close him down, the centre forward did well to curl the ball around the keeper’s outstretched hand and into the bottom right corner.

The Reds began the second half brightly and a decent spell of attack forced Alex Frost into a clearance off the line. Further chances followed as fantastic ball from substitute Josh Burke out on the left picked out Simon Carden inside the six yard box; however the United veteran lacked the control needed to provide any real test on the Ashton goal.

With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Carden played a part in FC United’s only goal of the game as he was first to the ball to glance it away from Smith with a header, leaving the Ashton keeper stranded. The ball fell to Tierney in a central position who calmly slotted into an unmanned net.

It was Tierney’s first senior goal and the second time he’d found the net in as many games for the club as, after making his first team debut on Saturday, he went on to score for the youth team on Sunday in the 5-1 win over Marine.

A lively spell of play ensued as Shenton produced an excellent double save to deny Burns as the striker looked to regain a two goal advantage for the Robins. The FC keeper pulled off a strong stop to deny the initial drive from inside the area, and as the rebound fell back to Burns, Shenton stepped up to the plate once more to divert the header on goal away from danger.

FC produced spells of promising attacking football as the final whistle neared, however all hopes of a late equaliser to take the game into extra-time were dashed as substitute Moyo-Modise wrapped up the victory for the home side in added time. The striker powered forward and fired the ball across Shenton into the keeper’s bottom left hand corner to put Ashton’s progression into the next round of the competition beyond doubt.

Despite decent approach play in periods of the game, FC United were ultimately lacking the edge needed on the final ball in their third straight defeat.

The Reds now look ahead in preparation for the weekend’s highly anticipated FA Cup second round tie at Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

Report by Victoria Fullen.


First Posted ~ 19:31 Wed 24 Nov 2010
News ID ~ 3244
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021