Match report courtesy of Gary West (The Bay)

FC United of Manchester 0-1 Lancaster City (FA Cup)
27th September 2014

Match Report
United scored four in the last round of The FA Cup, The Dolly Blues scored five, thus expectations may have been for another goal fest here at Stalybridge Celtic’s ground on an occasionally rainy overcast day, but predominantly warm and bright within the hills of Bower Fold.
The goal fest was not to be, but what a match, end to end from start to finish, with both sides contributing to an exciting and extraordinary cup game, in which either side could have come out on top.
You really couldn’t take your eyes off this one, which was played in front of a healthy 1500 plus crowd, exceptionally vociferous, backed up with a healthy following from Lancaster.
The game hinged on two moments of brilliance, both provided by City players, but the ninety minutes provided much more than that.
The Dolly Blues came into this fixture having scored twelve goals in their last three matches, and having lost only one in the last six, whereas FC United of Manchester had lost only one all season, at Frickley less than a fortnight ago, further emphasising the magnitude of this victory.
City started the first half much the better, causing problems throughout the United team with Gary Hunter dominating in midfield, with Ryan Winder and Sam Bailey linking up well down the right flank, the first real chances indeed coming City’s way, with Tom Kilifin hitting an angled left foot drive on 13 minutes which was gathered well by Carnell in the United goal, and Sam Bailey having a 20 yard drive blocked a minute later.
The best opportunity, and only real clear cut chance in the first half however fell to Matthew Wolfenden, who headed tamely towards goal when clear only four yards out. Three minutes later just before the half hour mark, Bailey fouled Wolfenden 20 yards out, and the free kick, curled in brilliantly towards goal by Liam Brownhill had many of the United fans cheering as it ruffled the net to Mike Hale’s right, but was the wrong side of the post.
There was very little additional action in the first half, although thoroughly entertaining, with Ryan Winder having a good opportunity to put Tom Kilifin clear on the right but his pass was intercepted, and the impressive Tom Woods, hit an ambitious 30 yard drive over the cross bar right on half time..
The second half started well again for The Dolly Blues against their higher league opposition. Josh Donnelly had come on for Tom Woods, and saw a lot of the ball down Lancaster’s left. United’s manager Karl Marginson also made three substitutions in quick succession early in the second half, clearly hoping to avoid a replay in what is already a hectic Non League fixture schedule for both teams. Ryan Winder had a couple of chances from a free kick on the left of the penalty area, and a corner on the right, to cause problems in the United box, but his normally excellent delivery was left wanting this time.
It was however, one of United’s substitutes who could have hit the headlines in the Sunday papers, Matthew Walwyn. On another day he could have had a hat-trick, first hitting the post with a low drive, then hitting another angled drive inches wide after an error by Jacob Davies who misjudged the bounce of the ball, and then a left foot curler from twelve yards, well saved by the excellent, and man of the match, Mike Hale in Lancaster’s goal.
Hale in fact made a number of excellent saves, a couple more from Jerome Wright when United were pushing to win the game, and City were very much backs to the wall for a twenty minute spell, that’s not to say that chances weren’t created for City, most notably Tom Kilifin ten minutes from time, when clean through. Kilifin tried to go it alone, when he perhaps should have squared to Aaron Taylor who would have been left with a tap in.
It turned out not to matter however, when Billy Akrigg hit a terrific curler into the back of the host’s net with only minutes remaining, sending the City supporters behind that goal into a frenzy!! A cracker, but as good as Akrigg’s goal was, another fantastic save by Mike Hale was received with applause all around the ground, the United supporters too watching in awe at a piece of goalkeeping genius. It was a wonder save, Hale diving low to his left to tip a bouncing effort over his goal with his left hand, compared, not only by me, but many of the City supporters and staff, and United followers, as almost a mirror image, all be it down to the left, of the great Gordon Banks save from the equally great Pele in the 1970 World Cup!!!
A wonderful win for Darren Peacock’s team, a home draw next perhaps, but if not, this group of young exciting players can take so much credit from this victory. Well done to all!!

That's a good report!! #DPBWA