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FC United kick-start season with Altrincham victory

FC United kick-start season with Altrincham victoryFC United picked up their first three points of the season at the fourth attempt as a wonderful Kurt Willoughby strike 10 minutes from time ensured a 2-1 victory over Altrincham at Moss Lane on Tuesday night.

After a goalless first half, the Robins broke the deadlock nine minutes after the restart through Jordan Hulme and the travelling FC United faithful could have been thinking a fourth consecutive defeat was looming. However, the Reds, playing in blue, showed great character to fight back and clinch all three points.

Just 11 minutes after conceding FC United were back on level terms, courtesy of a back post header from Liam Dickinson – his first goal for the club. Playing with renewed confidence, the Reds piled forward in search of the winner and in the 81st minute they received their reward when that man Willoughby curled home the winner from the edge of the box.

The Reds came into the game after three successive defeats and confidence low after a poor performance at home to Boston this Saturday, but Tom Greaves’ men began the game brightly attacking from kick off and Willoughby going close before a minute was even on the clock.

The new-found confidence wasn’t just in terms of an attacking mindset but also a defence that stood tall on the evening especially during periods of prolonged pressure from a dangerous looking home side, who were undefeated in their first three games.

Both teams had half chances throughout the first half, but the only thing worth any note from FC was Willoughby’s early effort with the visitors’ defensive effort being the outstanding contribution in the first 45 minutes.

Altrincham took the lead less than ten minutes into the second half when Billy Crellin’s outstanding save fell to Hulme who slotted home and you would have been forgiven for thinking the worst given the start to the season we’ve had.

But Greaves’ men showed the character and fight that we all saw last season and looked like the team that wanted to win the game out on the field. On 64 minutes that fight and desire was rewarded as a corner from the right was headed home by Dickinson, who ran into the FC United fans behind the goal to celebrate.

Having come away with nothing from the first three game you may have forgiven the Reds for sitting back and taking a point, but that’s just not the United way. The visitors kept looking for the what would surely be the winning goal and when it came it was a goal worthy of winning any football match.

Willoughby picked the ball up just inside the Altrincham half and immediately made a run for goal, as he got to 25 yards out he moved the ball out on his right foot just enough to unleash a beautifully struck shot that flew into the back of the net.

That was Willoughby’s third goal in four games and the former Clitheroe man will quickly become a crowd favourite if he keeps up a scoring record like that. But more importantly it was a relief that you could see through the reactions of both the players and the fans not only when the goal went in but when the final whistle was blown and the three points were guaranteed.

A fantastic and much needed turnaround for FC United just three days after not only a disappointing result but performance against Boston. The win will hopefully give the players the confidence they need to go and get further results in the coming weeks.

Man of the Match: Liam Dickinson – showed great character throughout and his goal gave FC United a way back into the game when they could have easily folded.

Report by Craig Phillips



First Posted ~ 09:51 Wed 15 Aug 2018
News ID ~ 7989
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021