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Poacher Wright shoots down Stags

A Jerome Wright lob three minutes from time gave FC a hard fought 2-1 victory over Rossendale United.

Playing a ’home’ game at Radcliffe due to Bury’s FA Cup commitments, FC responded to manager Margy’s pre-match calls for his side to adopt a siege mentality with a fittingly dogged performance.

The game was marred by the sending off of Stag’s boss Derek Egan in the second half, after he got his antlers in a twist during an altercation with reds striker Rory Patterson.

Patterson had been targeted from the start by the Rossendale back line, ably stewarded by Johnny Metgod-a-like Kevin Brown and the visitors took great delight in hoofing United’s Irish star at every opportunity.

But FC’s top poacher managed to evade the Stag’s defence for long enough to score the opener with just 11 minutes gone.

Strike partner Aaron Burns turned beautifully on the edge of the box to feed Patterson, who emphatically netted his 17th of the season.

Patterson was through again moments later, after a great pass from Chris Baguley, but Metgod made a fantastic recovering tackle to deny Rory’s second.

Rossendale thought they’d equalised soon after, but thankfully for FC the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

The game exploded in the second half as a melee ensued on the touchline in front of the dugouts. Egan was sent from the bench for his involvement but he had trouble finding his way into the dressing room.

The natural flow of the match was ruined as the players concentrated on getting back to the playing the game in the spirit it was intended.

Dale took advantage of the situation best and England youth international Tom Williams scored a tap in to restore parity, after good work from the odd-booted striker Mario Daniels.

FC’s own number nine hit the post as the reds sought to earn their lead once again. Burns was unlucky as his shot ricoched off the outside of the woodwork.

As the clock ticked by it began to look like time was running out for United, but Wright had other ideas.

The enterprising left-flanksman beat his man to get a cross in and as the keeper failed to punch convincingly Wright lobbed the ball into the Radcliffe evening sky. After what seemed like an eternity the ball landed under the cross bar and found it’s way into the roof of the net off the head of a defender. The defender was unable to head clear due to the snow the ball had attained in its upward trajectory.
It was a satisfying and morale-boosting win for FC and ended a three-game losing streak to put their season back on track.

Teams:

FC United
P Priestley
M Taylor
S Roscoe
C Baguley
A Turner
R Nugent
J Baguley
S Carden
A Burns
J Wright (cautioned 53)
R Patterson (capt) (cautioned 55)
Subs
C Hanley (for 11 57)

N Platt (for 4 90(+9))
A Carden (for 7 90(+5))

Scorers: Patterson 11; Wright 87

Rossendale United
L Rigby
J Heywood
K Ingham
J Booth
K Brown
A Watson
T Williams
J Turner (capt)
M Daniels
B Lloyd
A Cook
Subs
S Everett (for 2 90(+5))

M Edgington (for 7 90(+2))
B Stanford (for 11 90(+6)) (cautioned 90(+6))

Scorer: Williams 76


First Posted ~ 11:08 Tue 4 Dec 2007
News ID ~ 1339
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021