FC United out of the relegation zone with win over Curzon Ashton

First Posted ~ 17:30 Sat 8 Dec 2018 News ID ~ 8183 Last Updated ~ 13:31 Wed 12 Dec 2018

FC United are out of relegation zone after beating Curzon Ashton 2-0 on Saturday afternoon - the Reds’ first home of the season.A goal in each half from Josh Wallen and Kurt Willoughby were enough to give United victory over The Nash, who were reduced to 10 men.United kicked off attacking the St. Mary’s Road End and immediately won a corner. In what looked like a training ground routine Caleb Richards received a short ball and played a first time cross into the area which was headed in by Wallen. A simple but effective goal highlighting the hard work being done behind the scenes. Just two minutes on the clock and FC were 1-0 up.Elliot Simoes was looking dangerous every time he had the ball but a well organised Curzon Ashton were up to the challenge and provided an attacking threat of their own. On 18 minutes Simoes played a lovely weighted ball to send Tom Peers through on goal but goalkeeper Cameron Mason saved with his legs to keep the visitors in the match.Curzon were giving as good as they got and the Reds defence was having to work hard to maintain their advantage. Willoughby had the ball in the net on 23 minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside. Not to be outdone the Nash also had an offiside goal chalked off just 10 minutes later. The half finished with FC holding onto their one goal advantage.Simoes, who pre-match had signed a contract with the club, was forced off through injury in the opening minute of the second half being replaced by new signing Chris Sharp. The visitors were having their best spell of the match keeping constant pressure on the home defence without actually hitting the target. Both sides were trying to play neat football in really wet conditions.Curzon’s chances of winning the game took a turn for the worse on 67 minutes when Mohamud Ali was sent off after a challenge on FC United captain Michael Potts.As the match entered the final 15 minutes Willoughby atoned for an earlier miss by scoring United’s second and his 10th goal of the season to put the Reds 2-0 up.Ashton tried to muster a response but ultimately FC saw out the game with no real threat to the three points on offer.The game was by no means a thriller but the 1,645 fans left Broadhurst Park ecstatic with the all important home victory secured.?Next Saturday sees a home friendly against local side Chadderton FC.?Website Man of the Match: Josh Wallen played some tidy football to keep FC ticking over and topped off his performance with a nice headed goal.Report by Neil Lees