Sir Alex Ferguson once described FC United of Manchester as publicity seekers but Brighton discovered they are an outfit of some substance. The non-league club produced a display of bloody-minded resistance to rival that shown by many of their kind during the collective mortification at the Glazer family’s takeover of Manchester United.
Long after they had secured a replay and a place in the FA Cup third round, the 854 travelling supports bobbed up and down at one end of the Withdean Stadium chanting “are you watching David Gill?” There is no greater tribute of the endeavors of a side pitted against supposed superiors when they provide the illusion that supporters are watching a league encounter rather than a cup tie.
In the first half FC United chased and harried Brighton, whose season has been marked by controlled football which has seen them establish leadership of League One. Success has whetted their supporters’ appetites for more and by the finish they booed their players off the turf, much to the displeasure of their manager.
“I’m very disappointed with the fans,” Gus Poyet said. “Anyone who boos, I invite them to stay home. Proper supporters support the team every minute of the season.”Criticism should be reserved for Brighton since they controlled proceedings but suffered from over-elaboration. Attacks were purposeful but a lack of incisiveness was crippling.
Frustration gripped them but the source of their exasperation was FC United goalkeeper, Sam Ashton. He was rejected by Bolton Wanderers and splits his time as a care worker with coaching in the community, but produced a display worthy of an accomplished stopper. In stoppage time, with Brighton pummeling the box, Karl Munroe pole-axed Francisco Sandaza and Ashton plunged to his right to repel Elliott Bennett’s penalty.
That save sparked gasps but that was not an isolated moment of heroism. In the opening period he kept out Ashley Barnes’ point-blank header. “Sam left Bolton and went from £60,000 a year to £60 a week,” FC United general manager Andy Walsh said. “He coaches in our community but he could play in the Football League.”
For a while FC United made a mockery of the 112 places that separate these clubs. Forward Michael Norton, a tiler by trade who earns £80 a week, pressurised Brighton’s backline. Carlos Roca, a debt adviser, embarrassed footballers on far higher salaries with trickery and pace. Brighton fell behind courtesy of a precise finish from green-keeper Nicky Platt. Norton controlled Roca’s pass and found Platt whose shot whistled in.
Brighton pressed in the second half and Munroe cleared off the line from Sandaza, yet the hosts were aided by Scott McManus’ sending off for clashing with Gary Hart. It took 37-year-old assistant manager Mauricio Taricco’s header to salvage the tie but not deflate wholehearted opponents.