FC United up to sixth with win over Barwell (report & video)

FC United moved up to sixth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division with a 3-1 win over Barwell at the Tameside Stadium on Tuesday night as the players and 1,810 supporters showed little sign of a hangover from the weekend’s FA Trophy exit.



Craig Lindfield rifled home the opening goal moments before half-time for the dominant Reds and Tom Greaves came off the bench to bag a quick-fire second half brace, before Jamie Towers scored a consolation goal for the visitors at the death.

Coming off the back of a narrow defeat in such a big game as the FA Trophy match away to Torquay at weekend, it was always going to be interesting to see how the men in Red responded. They moved quickly to remove any doubts over their mindset, taking control of the game from the off.

United looked bright early on, especially new signing Shelton Payne who looked sharp and dangerous when on the ball, giving Unted an added cutting edge going forward.

The home team should have been in front inside the first 10 minutes as Matthew Wolfenden headed the ball against the crossbar. But despite having control of the game, FC United couldn’t seem to get the breakthrough.

But with the confidence in the team so high at the moment it was more a case of when not if there would be a breakthrough. It came just three minutes before the interval as a well worked attack was played to the right hand side of the box by Greg Daniels for Lindfield to fire home. The goal gave FC United a well deserve lead going into the break.

The second half was much the same as the first with the Reds controlling the game through possesion but not really doing enough to capitalise against an away team who brought little attacking threat.

After 65 minutes, top-scorer Greaves took to the field to replace Daniels, who had led the attack tirelessly. Four minutes later and with virtually his first touch, Greaves netted for the 17th time this season to give United a 2-0 lead, and all but kill the game off.

Greaves didn’t wait long to get his next goal. Five minutes later, Wolfenden executed great control to bring down a ball over the top from Jerome Wright. This was followed by a perfectly weighted throughball for the Greaves, who finished with aplomb to make the score 3-0. The goal sealed another three points for the Reds who continue their climb towards the summit of the league table.

Substitute Rory Fallon sealed his place in FC United history by becoming the 200th player to play competitive football for the first team. The former Trafford midfielder replaced Lindfield with 15 minutes remaining, signalling yet another amazing milestone passed by the club.

There was just enough time for the visitors to get a consolation goal to take home with them as Towers showed great composure to fire past Dave Carnell in the United goal for 3-1.

United move up to sixth with the win, 11 points behind current leaders Skelmersdale United with a staggering eight games in hand. The Reds also know their destiny is firmly in their own hands with fixtures against four of the five teams above them still left to play.

Website man of the match: Matthew Wolfenden - came close to scoring early on, but was the driving force behind yet another impressive performance and result for United.

Report by Craig Phillips