United through to Quarter Finals

Stuart Rudd came off the bench to add to Rory Patterson’s goal as FC United booked their place in the Quarter Finals of the President’s Cup with a hard earned 2-1 win over Rossendale United at Gigg Lane.

As the game opened United had two good chances in the opening six minutes, the first a Patterson volley which just went wide and then his strike partner for the day, Simon Carden had a rather tame effort saved by Stags ’keeper Lee Bracey.

With two good chances early on the 1,554 in the Main Stand could have been forgiven for thinking it could have been a repeat of the 5-1 victory over the Stags back in December.

But what prevailed was more like the other two fixtures in the league, where United were made to work hard by a good defensive unit that didn’t allow much to get past them.

Maybe it had something to do with the eerie emptiness of the Manchester Road End, but United weren’t firing on all cylinders in the first half. After a messy first half, the Reds took to the field fafter the interval knowing they’d have to improve to see off their opponents and they did just that.

Patterson signalled his intent by firing a vicious shot at goal, which was well saved by Bracey. And soon the opening came; a route one ball over the top found Patterson and the Irishman managed to lift the ball over the onrushing Bracey and into the Stags’ net to put United 1-0 up.

With less than 20 minutes remaining Margy moved to give Rudd another run out and he re-paid the manager with his second goal in four days.

Patterson broke on the right and squared the ball to Rudd, who simply slotted the ball home and put United into the quarter finals.

Rossendale did try to get back into the game and in the 84th minute got more than a consolation goal when left winger Matt Edgington rifled in off the cross bar from 25 yards out. A goal which received a well deserved applause from the FC United faithful.

The Reds saw out the remaining minutes and booked an away trip to our old friends Nantwich Town; who won their cup game today against Cammell Laird 5-1. The teams meet a week on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.

The performance wasn’t awe inspiring but the signs are looking good, United worked hard for a good victory other tough opponents and even though the Reds have won all four meetings between the sides, Margy will be thankful that he won’t have to face a resilient Rossendale again this season.

Craig Phillips


Teams
Sam Ashton
Liam Foster
Bradley Howard
Nicky Platt
Adam Turner
Rob Nugent
Adam Carden (off for 15, 67)
Chris Baguley (off for 14, 63)
Simon Carden (off for 12, 71)
Jerome Wright
Rory Patterson (captain) [goal, 54]

Subs
Stuart Rudd (on for 9, 71) [goal, 80]
Josh Howard (on for 8, 63)
Jamie Baguley (on for 7, 67)

Rossendale United

Lee Bracey
Mark Ross
Kyle Ingham
Daniel Finch
Dene Whitall-Williams
Andrew Watson
Matt Edgington [goal, 84]
Joe Booth (off for 12, 81)
John Turner (off for 14, 70)
Phil Eastwood (captain) (off for 15, 70)
Ben Lloyd

Subs

Sam Fairhurst (on for 8, 81)
David Eatock (on for 9, 70)
Caldon Henson (on for 10, 70)