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Football and fans United as Reds shade victory at Babelsberg

FC United ran out narrow 3-2 winners against a SV Babelsberg 03 select XI at the Karl-Liebknecht-Stadion on Friday night and things were just as close off the pitch.

Whilst an early David Birch strike and a second half Tom Greaves brace were sending United on our way to victory, both sets of supporters came together to celebrate fan-owned ’punk football’ and the host’s 110th anniversary.

After the final whistle went, manager Karl Marginson and his team went over to the crowd to show their appreciation of the forever boisterous travelling Red army and a few hundred Nulldrei supporters decided to do the same.

What followed was yet another show of celebration, scarf twirling, terrace bouncing scene that many feel makes this club of ours so special - two sets of supporters who own their football clubs celebrating just how great that feels.

FC United took the lead on eight minutes when Birch capitalised on a mistake in the home defence to finish under the keeper. The game was pretty much end to end punctuated only with Babelsberg making numerous roll on roll off changes.

Just after the half hour a good move involving Oliver Banks and Matthew Wolfenden saw Mike Norton shoot just wide. Reds goalkeeper Jon Worsnop was called into action a couple of minutes later half stopping a shot and Dean Stott cleared from the line.

The second half started with a new centre back pairing of Charlie Raglan who had started the game and Andy Russell who came on at half-time. It was another sub Rhodri Giggs who had the next chance, hitting the post, before the score was doubled when a cross found Tom Greaves who fired home off the bar.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Babelsberg pulled a goal back. Substitute ‘keeper James Spencer pulled off a good save but the ball found Rudolph Mattheus who fired into the net. The two goal lead was restored five minutes before the end when a corner in saw Russell scuff a shot into the path of Greaves who grabbed his second of the game.

Babelsberg pulled a goal back with the last kick of the game with a free-kick from Patrick Moritz. As soon as the ball hit the net, the referee ended the game.

As the players left the pitch, the Babelsberg supporters ran over to the FC United fans to show their appreciation, which turned into communal chanting, flag, scarf and flare waving and a whole lot of respect from both sets of supporters.

Danke und prost Babelsberg.

Report by Matthew Haley and Steven Wood



First Posted ~ 14:21 Sat 1 Jun 2013
News ID ~ 4930
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021