Last Gasp Knockout

First Round Qualifying winners (72)
£2,300
In 1969 The Football Association introduced The FA Challenge Trophy, a knock-out competition for non-League clubs with the incentive of an appearance at Wembley for the finalists.
With amateur clubs still being afforded that opportunity in The FA Amateur Cup (until 1974 when the competition was last played), it was felt that clubs with professional players, who could only enter The FA Cup, should have a more realistic chance of making it to the famed Twin Towers. Entries for the first Trophy competition in 1969-70 included eight clubs who were destined to enter the Football League: Barnet, Cambridge United, Hereford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town, Scarborough, Wimbledon and Wigan Athletic. Macclesfield beat Telford United 2-0 in the first final, watched by 28,000 at Wembley. Todays game was played at Gigg Lane, Bury loaned home of FC United of Manchester, some recent history between the two clubs should lead us to a good game. The right result will give the winners £2300 , the dirty word money makes the(non league) football world go around (survive). Chairmen will smile at the chance. Fc kick off in front of 1200 plus fans bringing a great atmosphere to the game. Ex Fc Priestley is called into action first and produces a fine save from Carden as Roca found him well. Chris Baguley is in the thick of most of the early play and Boro set out their stall with Dawson and Hill keeping the forwards at bay with some resolute defending. Boro find their way to the last third of FC but are struggling to free up support from midfield. Griff Jones and Howson are given very little. Lee Connell after a heavy challenge is treated in the centre circle. Howson is found off side and the plan of the game is already mapped out. Dawson is doing an excellent job on the Unibond Prem top scorer Kyle Wilson as he limits is chances and on 17 mins shows him what a well timed tackle is. Boro get a sniff when Griff Jones header from a throw falls for Mark Jones who strikes well enough but takes a deflection for the corner. Howson again is caught off as FC keep a tight line. Boro are throwing in some great last ditch blocks against a steady stream of United moves towards goal. The ball falls kindly for Griff Jones who toe pokes Mark Jones in on goal the keeper is quick and spoils the chance.
Priestley looking more commanding of late produces a fantastic save as Jerome Wright sets off on one of his mazy runs, he beats Unsworth , Kelly & Dawson before firing in. Fc move again when good football by Warrender , Carden and Simon Carden to set Wilson in for a shot that clears the hand of Priestley and the bar. The game as a lively spell when Wilson gets to the bye line and crosses for Simon Carden to demand more from Priestley. Boro are playing a good spoiling game and are only missing a that elusive chance . Some niggling tackles resulting in players needing treatment. Dawson is working hard and even though fouled three times, with the referee preferring advantage he loses Patience and sends the ball too long. As the end of the half closes the influential Chris Baguley leaves the field through injury and is replaced by Foster.
The boro team stay alert to the whistle and see off another great run by Jerome Wright who is brought down on the very edge of the box . Wilson ploughs the ball high from the free kick and hits high into the stand.
0-0 at half time Boro will be pleased with that and have had their defencive qualifications well examined by FC.
Oates is the only change as Connell stays in the dressing room. He goes to right back with Battersby taking a more central role. The half starts up as did the first with FC looking the more likely although some poor passing and the final delivery from both sides is evident.Frustration is growing with FC and with Battersby not being able to free up colleagues in midfield it boils over, Wilson who likes to have a niggle is man handled by Battersby and they square up , with Battersby raising his hand and Wilson looking for a part in Coronation Street, the ref puts Battersby into his book. Boro keeping FC at bay enter the best period of the game with Hill playing very well and looking to get down the flank when possible. Howson gets his first scent of goal as he pushes the ball past the defender who recovers well to force the ball away. Howson and Griff Jones combine well for the ball to be floated in for Oates waiting at the edge of the box, he volleys but receives jeers as the ball goes way over the stand. Hill plays a great dummy in midfield as he glides past is marker , Kelly gets involved and he intelligently finds a pass to Chappell who is unlucky as the ball runs to Ashton in the home goal. Its now a more even contest with Boro breaking free of defensive duties when possible. FC always looking capable of a goal. They show it to as Wright breaks down the left and feeds the ball into the 6 yard box Roca cant reach .Chappell does brilliantly getting his toe to it to clear when Wright is bearing down on goal. Battersby is lucky to stay on the field as his frustration in Boros lack of midfield ownership shows. The ref is sensible and calms him down. Simon Carden catches the boro back four flat and flashes a shot wide. Roca leaves the contest and is replaced by Williams. Jerome Wright remains a threat and runs from deep and is heading for goal when he is dumped by Kelly who gets a yellow. Boro respond and win 3 corners in a row but to no avail as FC show they can defend as well as attack. Chappell is replaced Traynor. Boros best chance arrives when Howson meets the cross only for his effort to be cleared off the line at the foot of the post.Battersby and Mark Jones combine well to leave Hill to cross out of play. FC look to finish the game as they enter the last five,Dawson and Unsworth switch off for the first time to give Wright another chance but he luckily wastes his shot. Poor final passes and crosses have been the trade mark of the game but with the referee adding 3 minutes and Boro looking towards a replay Adam Carden sends in a quality croos that is met well by Adam Turner to loop a great header over the impressive Priestley to spoil the Boro day and win the game. Disaster! After Boro playing a perfect first leg type game and the chance of a lucrative cup run gone all focus will be on the league. Boro have proven they can compete away from home against good opposition. The game wasn't beautiful but it was a dogged performance from Boro. Time added on is always a contested point against Manchester clubs, is it not?

I will see you against Trafford, another Manchester Club!