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Development Squad Draw At Emley

Tuesday night saw the Development Squad travel to Emley. Goals from Charlie Doyle and Jason Fowles either side of strikes from Max Leonard and Johnny Irving saw the reds salvage a point and stay top of the table.

The game started at a frenetic pace as both sides had chances to score within the first minute. First FC saw an effort from a Mike Taylor corner cleared and the home side raced upfield and having two opportunities of their own. First when Chris Taylor turned a shot to one side and then the return cross narrowly escaped a head free at the far post. On five minutes two half chances fell the way of Frank van Gils without success and shortly afterwards Joel Harrison escaped the FC back four but shot wide.

FC United took the lead after 20 minutes when a cross from the left wing which from the bench seemed to drift straight in but on pitch credit was given for a deft touch by Charlie Doyle. This was normally a cue for the reds to take control of the game but Emley ensured that this game was going to be anything but normal. The home side threatened with two corners in quick succession before equalising in the 27th minute; Max Leonard getting the final touch. They took the lead three minutes later with a Johnny Irving near post header at the near post from a corner. Buoyed by this Emley dominated the first half and were unlucky not to add to the score as FC tried to play football on a firm but bobbly pitch which the home side did everything they could to prevent.

The second half started with two changes for the visitors as Jon Poizer and Robbie Robertson came on for Mike Taylor and Charlie Doyle. Poizer, playing at left back provided the fulcrum for a change of emphasis as a more direct approach was taken and balls in to space were played in a bid to force Emley in to concentrating on defending. This meant that second half chances were fewer in number although Curtis Roberts was unlucky not to extend the lead on 65 minutes, a shot was heading for the top corner until Taylor turned it out for a corner.

FC equalised on72 minutes when Jason Fowles punished a poor attempt to clear the ball from their penalty area. That did in truth, bring Emley’s threat to an end although FC, for all the pressure with a combination of Poizer and second half substitute and debutante Ben Seol down the left wing, didn’t really look like winning the game. Jason Fowles had a couple of half chances without being on target, but his graft in a man of the match performance was rewarded with a place on the bench for the Doodson Cup game at Carlton.





First Posted ~ 20:52 Wed 26 Feb 2014
News ID ~ 5377
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021