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Baguley brace sees Reds back to winning ways

Two stunning free-kicks from former Oldham Athletic youngster Chris Baguley snatched all three points for FC United as they got their season back on track with a 2-1 victory over Wakefield at Gigg Lane.

The United faithful were made to wait with both goals coming in the second half as Wakefield sort to frustrate the hosts. But the Reds attacking play finally paid off and they deservedly walked away as the winners.

The Reds came into the match on the back of that 4-1 defeat to Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday and were looking to lift spirits with a good performance against Wakefield.

United started well enough and had two good chances in the opening 15 minutes, the first falling to Baguley who worked an opening on the right hand side of the box and forced a good save from Wakefield ’keeper Danny Trueman.

Cayne Hanley also had a good chance, after a one-two with Rory Patterson on the edge of the box he thundered in a bullet like left footed shot but unfortunately it was straight down Trueman’s throat.

With United unable to open the scoring things became a bit edgy and Wakefield served up a reminder that they posed a threat when striker Chris Howarth broke free and slotted the ball past Sam Ashton, only for the goal to be ruled offside by the assistant referee.

A timid first half also saw captain David Chadwick replaced by Dave Brown after sustaining a knee injury during a robust challenge. The stretcher was brought on but anyone who knows Chaddy will tell you he’d have to be shot to be carried off on a stretcher. The big number five was helped to the sidelines and is another name added to the ever-expanding injury list.

Coming out all square for the second half, United enjoyed good possession but were struggling to create clear cut chances. With half an hour left Rory Patterson was brought down about 25 yards from goal and United were given a free kick.

Up stepped 20-year-old Baguley, who was only making his fourth start of the season. The former Latics Youth Team captain curled the ball expertly over the wall and into the top right corner to put United a goal up.

The Reds were obviously overjoyed with the goal and it seemed the defence switched off because less than five minutes later Wakefield striker Graham Marchant broke away from Brown on the half way line and raced away before coolly slotting the ball past Ashton to level the match.

With the match back to square one, United had it all to do again. The hosts pressed well, good amounts of possession saw them coming forward looking for the win and with less than ten minutes left they were awarded another free kick on the edge of the Wakefield box after Cayne Hanley had his shirt pulled.

Confident form his earlier success Baguley demanded the ball although at first glance it appeared that the free kick might have been too close to get it up and over the wall. However, Baguley, who also used to be a Manchester United trainee, stepped up and beautifully placed the ball into the same corner of the net as his first effort, putting the Reds 2-1 up and sending the crowd into raptures.

Wakefield pressed for an equaliser but it was actually United who had the best chance to get another goal when Baguley crossed from the right but Hanley didn’t get enough on his header and the ball slipped across goal and out for a goal kick.

There were a couple of tense moments as United looked to record their first victory in four games but they did enough to come away with the 2-1 victory and fans were even treated to a series of Patterson step-overs near the corner flag as the cheeky Irishman confidently pulled out the party tricks.

Manager Karl Marginson will be pleased with the teams display and will be looking to build on it this Tuesday when the Reds make their way to Clitheroe for the rearrangement of the fixture that was abandoned due to floodlight failure on 11th September.

Craig Phillips


FC United
1. S Ashton (cautioned 39)
2. L Foster
3. S Roscoe
4. N Platt
5. D Chadwick (capt)
6. R Nugent
7. A Carden
8. C Baguley
9. C Hanley
10. J Wright
11. R Patterson
12. S Carden (for 4 70)
14. D Brown (for 5 35)
15. D Swarbrick (for 9 90(+3))

Scorer: Baguley 60, 81

Wakefield FC
1. D Trueman
2. S Nicholson
3. W Ryder
4. B Stevenson (cautioned 90(+2))
5. W Milnes
6. C Laight
7. D Ferguson
8. J Sobers (cautioned 72)
9. G Marchant (cautioned 90(+3))
10. C Howarth
11. D Kyriacou (capt)
12. T Bucknall
14. M Townsend
15. S Kenworthy

Scorer: Marchant 64

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First Posted ~ 10:36 Mon 15 Oct 2007
News ID ~ 1225
Last Updated ~ 12:34 Mon 21 May 2018