FC United beat Buxton to advance in FA Trophy

FC United are through to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy after beating Buxton 2-0 at Bower Fold on Saturday, thanks to a second half Matthew Wolfenden brace.

Two goals in 12 minutes gave the Reds a deserved and overdue first ever home victory over the Bucks – at the eighth attempt – putting us in the hat for Monday’s next round draw.

Wolfenden continued his scoring streak of late by smashing a close range effort in off the bar five minutes into the second half. He doubled the lead 12 minutes later with a calm finish after going one-on-one with the Bucks goalkeeper, Arron Jameson. The midfielder has now scored four goals in his last three games.

It was a well-deserved and confidence boosting victory for the Reds over the team that currently occupies second place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division. The only downside is that the inform Wolfenden must now serve a three match suspension for being sent off against the same opponents two weeks ago at Silverlands.

Karl Marginson’s side dominated the game throughout in what was one of the most pleasing performances of the season. In truth, FC United only created two or three clear cut chances but it did not matter because that’s all they needed. Two clinical finishes by Wolfenden sealed our passage into the next round and kept the Wembley dream alive.

After a goalless first half, Greg Daniels combined with Tom Greaves and raced to the deadball line before whipping the ball across the box for Wolfenden to fire in at the back post. Just over 10 minutes later, Greaves flicked a header backwards to release Wolfenden through the middle. With three chasing defenders snapping at his heels, Wolfenden calmly slotted the ball home from just inside the box for 2-0.

The visitors desperately tried to find a way back into the match but the United backline held strong to record an unprecedented seventh clean sheet in eight matches. Goalkeeper Dave Carnell put in a commanding performance throughout and the icing on the cake for the Reds shot-stopper was a superb smothering save with 15 minutes to go when Liam Hardy had raced clear of the defence to go one-on-one.

United were worthy winners. For large spells of the game they dictated play by passing the ball around well and when not in possession they successfully nullified any threat from Buxton, who were made to look ordinary. Daniels and Craig Lindfield had the other chances worthy of note but Jameson was equal to them both and 2-0 was a fair reflection overall.

The Reds will now look forward to learning their fate on Monday before hosting Frickley Athletic on Tuesday when a revenge mission must be on the cards after the West Yorkshire side humbled us with a 4-1 victory at Westfield Lane in September.

Website man of the match: Matthew Wolfenden. The former Oldham Athletic player had two chances and took them both. Hopefully, United will not miss him too much over the next three matches.

Report by Matthew Haley